Excellent
#217 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 8% in state
Pender Early College High
High School · Pender County Schools
100 East Industrial Drive, Burgaw, NC 28425
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
8.5
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
8.5
Grades
9th – UG
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#217 of 2,648
In Burgaw
#1 of 6
public schools
In district
#3 of 19
Pender County Schools
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Pender Early College High
High School in Burgaw · grades 9th – UG. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Burgaw Middle
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
C.f. Pope Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pender Early College High
Pender Early College High is a public high school in Burgaw, NC, part of Pender County Schools. Pender Early College High serves approximately 193 students, and covers grades 9th-UG, and has a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Pender Early College High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #217 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Pender Early College High show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 92% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.5 · Excellent
- District avg 6.3
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 193 students, Pender Early College High is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Pender Early College High runs 21.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Pender Early College High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Pender Early College High — Students at Pender Early College High score 97% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.
How Pender Early College High Compares
See how Pender Early College High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
100 East Industrial Drive, Burgaw, NC 28425
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pender Early College High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wilmington Early College High (rated 8.0/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), with a comparable rating. Another option is SEA-Tech (rated 6.6/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), a more accessible option. Additionally, Heide Trask High (rated 5.6/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Rocky Point), a more accessible option. For more schools in Burgaw, see our Burgaw schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Burgaw Middle Burgaw | 0.1 mi | 3.7 |
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Pender High Burgaw | 5.1 mi | 4.3 |
| PENDERLEA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rocky Point | 5.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Heide Trask High Rocky Point | 7.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 8.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point | 9.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Malpass Corner Elementary Burgaw | 8.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point | 9.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point | 9.5 mi | 2.9 |
| Penderlea Elementary Willard | 10.4 mi | 5.3 |
| West Pender Middle Burgaw | 10.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 13.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 13.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Wallace Elementary Wallace | 13.5 mi | 2.6 |
| NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace | 13.9 mi | 6.5 |
| ZELOPHEHAD'S DAUGHTERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace | 14.6 mi | — |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 15.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne | 15.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Wallace-Rose Hill High Teachey | 16.3 mi | 3.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28425 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,163
Median Home Value
$206,300
Median Rent
$989/mo
Population
10,823
College Educated
23.2%
Homeownership
78.4%
Avg Commute
29.8 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
44.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby, NC | 8.5 |
| Edgecombe Early College High Tarboro, NC | 8.5 |
| Harnett County Early College Dunn, NC | 8.5 |
| Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro Jamestown, NC | 8.5 |
| NERSBA Early College Jamesville, NC | 8.5 |
| Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy Elizabethtown, NC | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pender Early College High
What grades does Pender Early College High serve?
Pender Early College High serves students in grades 9th through UG.
How many students attend Pender Early College High?
Pender Early College High has an enrollment of approximately 193 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pender Early College High?
The student-teacher ratio at Pender Early College High is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pender Early College High rank in NC?
Pender Early College High ranks #217 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Pender Early College High's MySchoolScout rating?
Pender Early College High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Pender Early College High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pender Early College High has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 92% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Pender Early College High a charter school?
No, Pender Early College High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pender Early College High a Title I school?
No, Pender Early College High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pender Early College High?
33.7% of students at Pender Early College High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – UG
- Enrollment
- 193
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Pender County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 0.5%
- Phone
- (910) 362-7925
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90%+
Resources & Links
District
Pender County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,075
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,425
- District Rank
- #3 of 19
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