Average
#1201 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 45% in state
Penderlea Elementary
Elementary School · Pender County Schools
11 Garden Road, Willard, NC 28478
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#917 of 1,474
In district
#6 of 19
Pender County Schools
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Penderlea Elementary
Penderlea Elementary, located in Willard, North Carolina, is a rural public school serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 484 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 35 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' educational needs.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Penderlea Elementary is ranked at the 41st percentile among North Carolina schools with a rating of 5.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.3 out of 10. The school's proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) stands at 40%, while math proficiency is slightly higher at 50%. These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on improving student outcomes.
Penderlea Elementary sits in a rural setting, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters relationships between families and educators. This environment offers unique opportunities for outdoor learning and community engagement, making it an inviting place for students to grow both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Penderlea Elementary 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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Penderlea Elementary — Students at Penderlea Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 18 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.7/10.
How Penderlea Elementary Compares
See how Penderlea Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 53.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 40% (2019) to 40.9% (2025).
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 9.0/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Rocky Point), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Clinton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.5/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Wallace), 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 | 4.1 |
| ZELOPHEHAD'S DAUGHTERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace | 7.0 mi | — |
| Pender High Burgaw | 7.8 mi | 2.5 |
| Wallace-Rose Hill High Teachey | 8.5 mi | 3.1 |
| West Pender Middle Burgaw | 9.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Malpass Corner Elementary Burgaw | 10.4 mi | 6.2 |
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw | 9.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Burgaw Middle Burgaw | 10.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Pender Early College High Burgaw | 10.4 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 4.6 |
| Union High Rose Hill | 15.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Union Elementary Clinton | 16.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Heide Trask High Rocky Point | 17.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point | 18.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point | 18.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point | 18.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 18.3 mi | 9.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Penderlea Elementary has a median household income of $64,830. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,700, with a median rent of $751/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Cary, NC | 6.7 |
| Alamance Community School Haw River, NC | 6.7 |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford, NC | 6.7 |
| Baileywick Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 6.7 |
| Bethany Elementary Reidsville, NC | 6.7 |
| Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville, NC | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #1201 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Penderlea Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Penderlea Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Penderlea Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penderlea Elementary has 50.1% math proficiency and 39.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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 – 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
- Phone
- (910) 285-2761
- 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
- #6 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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