Very Good
#558 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 21% in state
Surf City Elementary
Elementary School · Pender County Schools
12345-A Literacy Lane, Hampstead, NC 28445
Enrollment
850
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
850
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#558 of 2,648
In Hampstead
#3 of 7
public schools
In district
#5 of 19
Pender County Schools
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Surf City Elementary
Elementary School in Hampstead · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Surf City Middle
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
North Topsail Elementary
5.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Surf City Elementary
Surf City Elementary is a public elementary school in Hampstead, NC, part of Pender County Schools. Surf City Elementary serves approximately 850 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Surf City Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #558 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Surf City Elementary show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).
- This school 7.8 · Very Good
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Surf City 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
Surf City Elementary — Students at Surf City Elementary score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.5%
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
→ 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: 9.4/10.
How Surf City Elementary Compares
See how Surf City 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
12345-A Literacy Lane, Hampstead, NC 28445
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Surf City Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rocky Point Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Rocky Point), which scores notably higher. Another option is Porters Neck Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ogden Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 19.1 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hampstead, see our Hampstead schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Surf City Middle Hampstead | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| North Topsail Elementary Hampstead | 5.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Coastal Elementary Holly Ridge | 5.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Topsail Middle Hampstead | 7.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Topsail Annandale Elementary School Hampstead | 7.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Topsail High Hampstead | 7.6 mi | 7.0 |
| NORTH SHORE ACADEMY Sneads Ferry | 8.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Dixon High Holly Ridge | 10.1 mi | 6.4 |
| South Topsail Elementary Hampstead | 9.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Dixon Middle Sneads Ferry | 9.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Dixon Elementary Holly Ridge | 10.0 mi | 7.4 |
| American Leadership Academy-Coastal Wilmington | 15.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Porters Neck Elementary Wilmington | 16.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Southwest Elementary Jacksonville | 18.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Southwest Middle Jacksonville | 20.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Southwest High Jacksonville | 20.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 17.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville | 20.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Ogden Elementary Wilmington | 19.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Onslow Virtual School Jacksonville | 20.9 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28445 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,250
Median Home Value
$332,500
Median Rent
$1,318/mo
Population
9,784
College Educated
42%
Homeownership
79.5%
Avg Commute
29.4 min
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Median Age
41.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cedar Fork Elementary Morrisville, NC | 7.8 |
| Glenn Elementary Durham, NC | 7.8 |
| Granite Falls Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 7.8 |
| Greensboro Academy Greensboro, NC | 7.8 |
| Mallard Creek STEM Academy Charlotte, NC | 7.8 |
| Meadow Lane Elementary Goldsboro, NC | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Surf City Elementary
What grades does Surf City Elementary serve?
Surf City Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Surf City Elementary?
Surf City Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 850 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Surf City Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Surf City Elementary is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Surf City Elementary rank in NC?
Surf City Elementary ranks #558 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Surf City Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Surf City Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Surf City Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Surf City Elementary has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).
Is Surf City Elementary a charter school?
No, Surf City Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Surf City Elementary a Title I school?
No, Surf City Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Surf City Elementary?
34.5% of students at Surf City 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 850
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Pender County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.8%
- Phone
- (910) 928-0067
Resources & Links
District
Pender County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,075
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,425
- District Rank
- #5 of 19
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