Average
#274 of 404 private schools in NC
Penderlea Christian Academy
School
3530 FENNELL TOWN RD, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NC statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
93
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
93
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#166 of 238
About Penderlea Christian Academy
Penderlea Christian Academy serves 93 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Rocky Point, offering a close-knit educational environment with an impressive 8.9:1 student-teacher ratio. With just 10 full-time equivalent teachers, this small school provides highly personalized attention that many larger institutions cannot match. The school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10, reflecting its commitment to quality education.
While ranking at the 50th percentile among North Carolina schools (#202 out of 404), Penderlea Christian Academy's intimate setting allows for individualized instruction and strong student-teacher relationships that can be particularly beneficial for students who thrive in smaller environments. The school draws families from the surrounding 28457 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $65,474 and median home values reach $212,600. The community of approximately 11,281 residents includes 18% with bachelor's degrees or higher, with a poverty rate of 14.8%.
Located on Fennell Town Road in rural Pender County, Penderlea Christian Academy offers families seeking a small-school experience the advantage of personalized education in North Carolina's scenic coastal plain region.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 93 students, Penderlea Christian 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 8.9:1, Penderlea Christian 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.
As a private school, Penderlea Christian Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Penderlea Christian Academy compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in Rocky Point, NC
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Penderlea Christian Academy (this school) | 5.8 |
| Heide Trask High | 3.9 |
| Cape Fear Elementary | 5.0 |
| Cape Fear Middle | 7.8 |
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy | 4.1 |
| Rocky Point Elementary | 9.0 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NC.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in NC
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
3530 FENNELL TOWN RD, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penderlea Christian Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Rocky Point Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 7.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Castle Hayne Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SEA-Tech (rated 8.2/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Castle Hayne), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rocky Point, see our Rocky Point schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Malpass Corner Elementary Burgaw | 4.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Pender High Burgaw | 5.0 mi | 2.5 |
| Burgaw Middle Burgaw | 5.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Pender Early College High Burgaw | 5.9 mi | 6.4 |
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw | 6.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point | 6.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point | 6.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point | 6.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Heide Trask High Rocky Point | 6.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 7.1 mi | 9.0 |
| West Pender Middle Burgaw | 7.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne | 10.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Holly Shelter Middle Castle Hayne | 10.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Penderlea Elementary Willard | 12.7 mi | 6.7 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne | 12.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne | 12.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Wrightsboro Elementary Wilmington | 13.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Emma B Trask Middle Wilmington | 13.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Emsley A Laney High Wilmington | 14.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary Leland | 15.2 mi | 7.0 |
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 Penderlea Christian 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 |
|---|---|
| ACADEMY OF COASTAL CAROLINA Supply, NC | 5.8 |
| TRINITY BAPTIST ACADEMY Mocksville, NC | 5.8 |
| WANCHESE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wanchese, NC | 5.8 |
| HARVEST TIME CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilkesboro, NC | 5.7 |
| Lenoir County Learning Academy Kinston, NC | 5.7 |
| MOUNT CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Archdale, NC | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penderlea Christian Academy
What grades does Penderlea Christian Academy serve?
Penderlea Christian Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Penderlea Christian Academy?
Penderlea Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 93 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penderlea Christian Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Penderlea Christian Academy is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Penderlea Christian Academy rank in NC?
Penderlea Christian Academy is ranked #274 out of 404 private schools in NC.
What is Penderlea Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Penderlea Christian Academy has a composite rating of 5.8 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.
Is Penderlea Christian Academy a private school?
Yes, Penderlea Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Penderlea Christian Academy a religious school?
Penderlea Christian Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 93
- Gender Split
- 40% M / 60% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 7.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 177 days
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- PENDER
- Phone
- (910) 259-9899
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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