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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

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 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.4%
Math vs. State Avg+0.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.8 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,305

Surf City Elementary — Students at Surf City Elementary score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.3%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
59%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
60%
2025
Math
64.4%
ELA
61.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.1/10
21th percentile in NC
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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