Average
#2103 of 2,648 schools in NC
Surf City Elementary
Elementary School · Pender County Schools
12345-A Literacy Lane, Hampstead, NC 28445
Enrollment
850
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
850
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hampstead
#7 of 7
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,319 of 1,474
In district
#14 of 19
Pender County Schools
Academic performance
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Surf City Elementary
Surf City Elementary serves preschool through fifth grade students in Hampstead, a rural community in Pender County, North Carolina. With 850 students and 50 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, providing a moderately sized environment for elementary learners. Academically, the school is working toward improvement.
In reading and language arts, 61% of students perform at proficient levels or above, while 63% meet proficiency benchmarks in math. The school's overall academic score of 7.2/10 reflects areas of focus for continued development. On the state level, Surf City Elementary ranks #1568 out of 2661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 41st percentile statewide.
The school's location in rural Hampstead near town creates a close-knit community setting where families are invested in their children's education. This rural character often fosters strong family-school connections and a collaborative approach to learning. For families considering Surf City Elementary, the moderate class sizes and neighborhood atmosphere may appeal to those seeking a personalized educational experience while the school continues to strengthen its academic outcomes.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Surf City 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Surf City Elementary — Students at Surf City Elementary score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
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 12 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: 4.2/10.
How Surf City Elementary Compares
See how Surf City Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 64.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 61.4% (2025).
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 9.0/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Rocky Point), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southwest Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Topsail Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 9.6 miles away), 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 | 6.4 |
| North Topsail Elementary Hampstead | 5.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Coastal Elementary Holly Ridge | 5.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Topsail Middle Hampstead | 7.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Topsail Annandale Elementary School Hampstead | 7.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Topsail High Hampstead | 7.6 mi | 5.4 |
| NORTH SHORE ACADEMY Sneads Ferry | 8.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Dixon High Holly Ridge | 10.1 mi | 5.2 |
| South Topsail Elementary Hampstead | 9.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Dixon Middle Sneads Ferry | 9.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Dixon Elementary Holly Ridge | 10.0 mi | 5.4 |
| American Leadership Academy-Coastal Wilmington | 15.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Porters Neck Elementary Wilmington | 16.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Southwest Elementary Jacksonville | 18.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Southwest Middle Jacksonville | 20.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Southwest High Jacksonville | 20.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point | 17.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville | 20.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Ogden Elementary Wilmington | 19.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Onslow Virtual School Jacksonville | 20.9 mi | 4.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Surf City Elementary has a median household income of $89,250. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $332,500, with a median rent of $1,318/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Bearfield Primary Ahoskie, NC | 5.1 |
| Erwin Elementary Erwin, NC | 5.1 |
| George C Simkins Jr Elementary Greensboro, NC | 5.1 |
| PreEminent Charter Raleigh, NC | 5.1 |
| Brassfield Elementary Raleigh, NC | 5.0 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point, NC | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #2103 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Surf City Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Surf City Elementary has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Surf City Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Surf City Elementary has 63.3% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Elevated (745/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (910) 928-0067
- 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
- #14 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.