Needs Improvement
#2643 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
2.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
672
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
2.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Burgaw
#6 of 6
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#579 of 579
In district
#19 of 19
Pender County Schools
About Pender High
Pender High is a regular public high school located in Burgaw, North Carolina, nestled in the rural setting of Pender County. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 672 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.2:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers. Pender High’s academic performance is currently focusing on areas for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and state ranking of #2456 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina (8th percentile).
In terms of proficiency rates, 36% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 44% meet the same standard in Math. These figures suggest that the school is working diligently to enhance its academic offerings and support systems for student development. Pender High stands as a vital part of the rural community it serves, providing educational opportunities and fostering growth within its unique setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pender High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Pender High — Students at Pender High score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 6 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: 1.2/10.
How Pender High Compares
See how Pender High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 6.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 29.2% (2025).
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. SEA-Tech (rated 8.2/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pender Early College High (rated 6.4/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Heide Trask High (rated 3.9/10, 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 | 6.2 |
| PENDERLEA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rocky Point | 5.0 mi | 5.8 |
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw | 4.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Burgaw Middle Burgaw | 5.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Pender Early College High Burgaw | 5.1 mi | 6.4 |
| West Pender Middle Burgaw | 5.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Penderlea Elementary Willard | 7.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Heide Trask High Rocky Point | 10.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point | 11.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point | 11.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point | 11.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 11.2 mi | 9.0 |
| NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace | 13.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Wallace Elementary Wallace | 13.1 mi | 4.1 |
| ZELOPHEHAD'S DAUGHTERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace | 13.9 mi | — |
| Wallace-Rose Hill High Teachey | 15.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 15.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 15.2 mi | 7.8 |
| HARRELLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrells | 16.3 mi | 5.9 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 16.9 mi | 8.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pender High has a median household income of $65,163. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,300, with a median rent of $989/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Starmount High Boonville, NC | 2.7 |
| Eastern Randolph High School Ramseur, NC | 2.8 |
| Hugh M Cummings High Burlington, NC | 2.8 |
| South Stanly High Norwood, NC | 2.8 |
| SouthWest Edgecombe High Pinetops, NC | 2.8 |
| Bunker Hill High Claremont, NC | 3.0 |
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 is ranked #2643 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Pender High's MySchoolScout rating?
Pender High has a composite rating of 2.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Pender High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pender High has 30.2% math proficiency and 36.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (1,644/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Burgaw). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (910) 259-0162
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pender County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,075
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,425
- District Rank
- #19 of 19
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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