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Average

#274 of 404 private schools in NC

Penderlea Christian Academy

School

3530 FENNELL TOWN RD, Rocky Point, NC 28457

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Penderlea Christian Academy compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in Rocky Point, NC

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
This School
vs
12.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
93
This School
vs
435
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.8
This School
vs
6.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 98.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.1% vs 0%
Penderlea Christian Academy Rocky Point Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 6.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,274.4
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C- 1.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 2%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 93
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)

White 98.9%
Hispanic 1.1%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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