Below Average
#2443 of 2,648 schools in NC
Pender Innovative Learning Academy
School · Pender County Schools
1886 NC Hwy 133, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Enrollment
48
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
48
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rocky Point
#4 of 5
public schools
North Carolina schools
#104 of 120
In district
#17 of 19
Pender County Schools
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Pender Innovative Learning Academy
Pender Innovative Learning Academy is an alternative school located in Rocky Point, North Carolina, nestled in a rural setting near the town. Serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade, this small school has an enrollment of just 48 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.6:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers. As an alternative school, Pender Innovative Learning Academy offers unique educational opportunities tailored to meet the diverse needs of its students.
While the school's MySchoolScout rating is currently low at 2.3 out of 10 and it ranks in the bottom percentile among North Carolina schools for academic performance, Pender Innovative Learning Academy focuses on providing a supportive environment where students can develop personally and academically. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency stands at 12%, with math proficiency also at 12%. These numbers suggest there is room for improvement in student achievement but highlight the school's commitment to growth and development.
Pender Innovative Learning Academy sits in a rural area near Rocky Point, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 48 students, Pender Innovative Learning Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Pender Innovative Learning Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Pender Innovative Learning Academy 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
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
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Pender Innovative Learning Academy — Students at Pender Innovative Learning Academy score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 2 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
How Pender Innovative Learning Academy Compares
See how Pender Innovative Learning Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1886 NC Hwy 133, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pender Innovative Learning Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. PENDERLEA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 5.8/10, 6.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 4.6/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rocky Point, see our Rocky Point schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point | 0.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point | 0.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Heide Trask High Rocky Point | 2.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 2.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 4.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 4.1 mi | 7.8 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 5.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne | 6.1 mi | 5.9 |
| PENDERLEA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rocky Point | 6.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington | 7.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Wrightsboro Elementary Wilmington | 7.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Emsley A Laney High Wilmington | 7.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Murrayville Elementary Wilmington | 8.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Pender Early College High Burgaw | 9.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Burgaw Middle Burgaw | 9.6 mi | 4.8 |
| WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilmington | 9.8 mi | 4.6 |
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw | 10.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Wilmington | 10.7 mi | 7.3 |
| D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy Wilmington | 10.8 mi | 2.5 |
| R Freeman Sch of Engineering Wilmington | 11.1 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28457 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,860
Median Home Value
$233,300
Median Rent
$866/mo
Population
11,131
College Educated
17.4%
Homeownership
82.1%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Median Age
37.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pender Innovative Learning Academy has a median household income of $66,860. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,300, with a median rent of $866/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| CHARLOTTE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Charlotte, NC | 4.2 |
| Wilson Academy of Virtual Education Wilson, NC | 3.8 |
| NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Thomasville, NC | 3.5 |
| NEW INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY Goldsboro, NC | 4.7 |
| CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale, NC | 4.8 |
| TILLERY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwood, NC | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pender Innovative Learning Academy
What grades does Pender Innovative Learning Academy serve?
Pender Innovative Learning Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Pender Innovative Learning Academy?
Pender Innovative Learning Academy has an enrollment of approximately 48 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pender Innovative Learning Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Pender Innovative Learning Academy is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pender Innovative Learning Academy rank in NC?
Pender Innovative Learning Academy is ranked #2443 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Pender Innovative Learning Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Pender Innovative Learning Academy has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Innovative Learning Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pender Innovative Learning Academy has 11.8% math proficiency and 40.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pender Innovative Learning Academy a charter school?
No, Pender Innovative Learning Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pender Innovative Learning Academy a Title I school?
No, Pender Innovative Learning Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pender Innovative Learning Academy?
93.8% of students at Pender Innovative Learning Academy 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (745/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 48
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.8%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Pender County
- Phone
- (910) 789-6073
- 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
- #17 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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