Below Average
#2272 of 2,648 schools in NC
Pender High
High School · Pender County Schools
5380 NC Hwy 53 W, Burgaw, NC 28425
Enrollment
672
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
672
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,272 of 2,648
In Burgaw
#3 of 6
public schools
In district
#15 of 19
Pender County Schools
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Pender High
High School in Burgaw · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Malpass Corner Elementary
3.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Penderlea Christian Academy
5.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pender High
Pender High is a public high school in Burgaw, NC, part of Pender County Schools. Pender High serves approximately 672 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Pender High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,272 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Pender High show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 6.3
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Pender 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.
46% of students at Pender High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Pender High — Students at Pender High score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.9/10.
How Pender High Compares
See how Pender 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
5380 NC Hwy 53 W, Burgaw, NC 28425
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pender High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pender Early College High (rated 8.5/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SEA-Tech (rated 6.6/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Heide Trask High (rated 5.6/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Rocky Point), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Burgaw, see our Burgaw schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Malpass Corner Elementary Burgaw | 3.7 mi | 3.6 |
| PENDERLEA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rocky Point | 5.0 mi | 5.8 |
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw | 4.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Burgaw Middle Burgaw | 5.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Pender Early College High Burgaw | 5.1 mi | 8.5 |
| West Pender Middle Burgaw | 5.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Penderlea Elementary Willard | 7.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Heide Trask High Rocky Point | 10.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point | 11.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point | 11.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point | 11.1 mi | 2.9 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 11.2 mi | 9.2 |
| NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace | 13.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Wallace Elementary Wallace | 13.1 mi | 2.6 |
| ZELOPHEHAD'S DAUGHTERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace | 13.9 mi | — |
| Wallace-Rose Hill High Teachey | 15.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 15.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 15.2 mi | 7.5 |
| HARRELLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrells | 16.3 mi | 5.9 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 16.9 mi | 6.6 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Bethany Community School Summerfield, NC | 4.3 |
| East Gaston High Mount Holly, NC | 4.3 |
| Granville Central High Stem, NC | 4.3 |
| Newton-Conover High Newton, NC | 4.3 |
| SCORE Academy Cary, NC | 4.3 |
| Shelby High Shelby, NC | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pender High
What grades does Pender High serve?
Pender High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Pender High?
Pender High has an enrollment of approximately 672 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pender High?
The student-teacher ratio at Pender High is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pender High rank in NC?
Pender High ranks #2,272 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Pender High's MySchoolScout rating?
Pender High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pender High has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Pender High a charter school?
No, Pender High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pender High a Title I school?
No, Pender High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pender High?
99.6% of students at Pender 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 672
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Pender County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 46.0%
- Phone
- (910) 259-0162
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
Resources & Links
District
Pender County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,075
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,425
- District Rank
- #15 of 19
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