Average
#1772 of 2,648 schools in NC
Purnell Swett High
High School · Public Schools of Robeson County
PO Box 1210, Pembroke, NC 28372
Enrollment
1,604
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,604
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,772 of 2,648
In Pembroke
#2 of 5
public schools
In district
#12 of 36
Public Schools of Robeson County
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Purnell Swett High
High School in Pembroke · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Prospect Elementary
2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pembroke Middle
2.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Purnell Swett High
Purnell Swett High is a public high school in Pembroke, NC, part of Public Schools of Robeson County. Purnell Swett High serves approximately 1,604 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Purnell Swett High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,772 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Purnell Swett High show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.5 · Average
- District avg 6.1
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Purnell Swett High 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.
65% of students at Purnell Swett High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Purnell Swett High — Students at Purnell Swett High score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Purnell Swett High Compares
See how Purnell Swett High 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
PO Box 1210, Pembroke, NC 28372
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Purnell Swett High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Old Main STREAM Academy (rated 8.4/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Johnson Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Laurinburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HIGHLANDER ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Red Springs), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pembroke, see our Pembroke schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prospect Elementary Maxton | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Pembroke Middle Pembroke | 2.5 mi | 3.6 |
| CIS Academy Lumberton | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Old Main STREAM Academy Pembroke | 2.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Pembroke Elementary Pembroke | 3.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Union Elementary Rowland | 4.2 mi | 6.1 |
| MIND AND SOUL SCHOOL Maxcon | 5.1 mi | — |
| MOUNT ZION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pembroke | 5.1 mi | — |
| Oxendine Elementary Maxton | 7.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Townsend Elementary Maxton | 6.5 mi | 3.9 |
| RIVERSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lumberton | 7.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Union Chapel Elementary Pembroke | 6.5 mi | 3.6 |
| Deep Branch Elementary Lumberton | 7.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Peterson Elementary Red Springs | 8.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Red Springs Middle Red Springs | 9.2 mi | 3.0 |
| HIGHLANDER ACADEMY Red Springs | 9.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Red Springs High Red Springs | 9.4 mi | 5.0 |
| South Robeson Middle School Rowland | 10.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Southside Ashpole Elementary Rowland | 11.7 mi | 4.2 |
| South Johnson Elementary Laurinburg | 11.9 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28372 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$31,860
Median Home Value
$100,900
Median Rent
$728/mo
Population
12,286
College Educated
22.3%
Homeownership
59.2%
Avg Commute
22.1 min
Poverty Rate
30.5%
Median Age
29
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Cabarrus High Concord, NC | 5.5 |
| Hillside High Durham, NC | 5.5 |
| Hoke County High Raeford, NC | 5.5 |
| Riverside High Durham, NC | 5.5 |
| Saint Pauls High Saint Pauls, NC | 5.5 |
| Southern Alamance High Graham, NC | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Purnell Swett High
What grades does Purnell Swett High serve?
Purnell Swett High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Purnell Swett High?
Purnell Swett High has an enrollment of approximately 1,604 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Purnell Swett High?
The student-teacher ratio at Purnell Swett High is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Purnell Swett High rank in NC?
Purnell Swett High ranks #1,772 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Purnell Swett High's MySchoolScout rating?
Purnell Swett High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Purnell Swett High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Purnell Swett High has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Purnell Swett High a charter school?
No, Purnell Swett High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Purnell Swett High a Title I school?
No, Purnell Swett High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Purnell Swett High?
99.5% of students at Purnell Swett High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,604
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 90
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Robeson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 64.7%
- Phone
- (910) 521-3253
- 4-Year Graduation
- 89.0%
Resources & Links
District
Public Schools of Robeson County- District Enrollment
- 20,983
- Schools in District
- 37
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,767
- District Rank
- #12 of 36
Other Schools in This District
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