Very Good
#864 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 33% in state
Surf City Middle
Middle School · Pender County Schools
12345-B Literacy Lane, Hampstead, NC 28443
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#864 of 2,648
In Hampstead
#5 of 7
public schools
In district
#7 of 19
Pender County Schools
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Surf City Middle?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Surf City Middle
Middle School in Hampstead · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Surf City Elementary
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 Middle
Surf City Middle is a public middle school in Hampstead, NC, part of Pender County Schools. Surf City Middle serves approximately 750 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Surf City Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #864 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Surf City Middle show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 5.6
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
Surf City Middle runs 21.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Surf City Middle 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 Middle — Students at Surf City Middle score 68% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.9%
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: 9.7/10.
How Surf City Middle Compares
See how Surf City Middle 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-B Literacy Lane, Hampstead, NC 28443
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Surf City Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Topsail Middle (rated 6.8/10, 7.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Dixon Middle (rated 6.0/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Sneads Ferry), a more accessible option. Additionally, Southwest Middle (rated 4.0/10, 20.0 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hampstead, see our Hampstead schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Surf City Elementary Hampstead | 0.0 mi | 7.8 |
| 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 28443 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,392
Median Home Value
$356,500
Median Rent
$1,372/mo
Population
27,203
College Educated
39.6%
Homeownership
81.2%
Avg Commute
30.6 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
40.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Alexander Middle Hiddenite, NC | 7.2 |
| Hendersonville Middle Hendersonville, NC | 7.2 |
| New Bridge Middle Jacksonville, NC | 7.2 |
| Spring Creek Middle Seven Springs, NC | 7.2 |
| Meadowlark Middle Winston-Salem, NC | 7.3 |
| Morehead City Middle Morehead City, NC | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Surf City Middle
What grades does Surf City Middle serve?
Surf City Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Surf City Middle?
Surf City Middle has an enrollment of approximately 750 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Surf City Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Surf City Middle is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Surf City Middle rank in NC?
Surf City Middle ranks #864 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Surf City Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Surf City Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Surf City Middle has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).
Is Surf City Middle a charter school?
No, Surf City Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Surf City Middle a Title I school?
No, Surf City Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Surf City Middle?
23.9% of students at Surf City Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 750
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Pender County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.7%
- Phone
- (910) 928-0087
Resources & Links
District
Pender County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,075
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,425
- District Rank
- #7 of 19
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.