Average
#1869 of 2,648 schools in NC
Penderlea Elementary
Elementary School · Pender County Schools
11 Garden Road, Willard, NC 28478
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,869 of 2,648
In district
#12 of 19
Pender County Schools
School environment
7.1 / 10
Very Good
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Penderlea Elementary
Elementary School in Willard · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
New Hope Christian Academy
6.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wallace Elementary
6.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Penderlea Elementary
Penderlea Elementary is a public elementary school in Willard, NC, part of Pender County Schools. Penderlea Elementary serves approximately 484 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Penderlea Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,869 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Penderlea Elementary show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Penderlea Elementary 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Penderlea Elementary — Students at Penderlea Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 42 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: 4.3/10.
How Penderlea Elementary Compares
See how Penderlea Elementary 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
11 Garden Road, Willard, NC 28478
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penderlea Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rocky Point Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Rocky Point), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.5/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Wallace), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union Elementary (rated 5.4/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Clinton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Willard, see our Willard schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace | 6.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Wallace Elementary Wallace | 6.7 mi | 2.6 |
| ZELOPHEHAD'S DAUGHTERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace | 7.0 mi | — |
| Pender High Burgaw | 7.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Wallace-Rose Hill High Teachey | 8.5 mi | 3.4 |
| West Pender Middle Burgaw | 9.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Malpass Corner Elementary Burgaw | 10.4 mi | 3.6 |
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw | 9.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Burgaw Middle Burgaw | 10.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Pender Early College High Burgaw | 10.4 mi | 8.5 |
| HARRELLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrells | 9.9 mi | 5.9 |
| PENDERLEA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rocky Point | 12.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary Rose Hill | 13.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Union High Rose Hill | 15.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Union Elementary Clinton | 16.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Heide Trask High Rocky Point | 17.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point | 18.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point | 18.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point | 18.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 18.3 mi | 9.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28478 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,830
Median Home Value
$168,700
Median Rent
$751/mo
Population
4,591
College Educated
13.9%
Homeownership
87.7%
Avg Commute
32.4 min
Poverty Rate
15%
Median Age
47.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Andrews Elementary Andrews, NC | 5.3 |
| Bolton Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 5.3 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point, NC | 5.3 |
| Carver Elementary Wendell, NC | 5.3 |
| Cumberland Mills Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 5.3 |
| Isenberg Elementary Salisbury, NC | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penderlea Elementary
What grades does Penderlea Elementary serve?
Penderlea Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Penderlea Elementary?
Penderlea Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 484 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penderlea Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Penderlea Elementary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penderlea Elementary rank in NC?
Penderlea Elementary ranks #1,869 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Penderlea Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Penderlea Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Penderlea Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Penderlea Elementary has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Penderlea Elementary a charter school?
No, Penderlea Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penderlea Elementary a Title I school?
No, Penderlea Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penderlea Elementary?
99.4% of students at Penderlea Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 484
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Pender County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.1%
- Phone
- (910) 285-2761
Resources & Links
District
Pender County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,075
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,425
- District Rank
- #12 of 19
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