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Average

#1373 of 2,648 schools in NC

Surf City Middle

Middle School · Pender County Schools

12345-B Literacy Lane, Hampstead, NC 28443

Enrollment

750

Student-Teacher

21.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hampstead

#4 of 7

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#193 of 475

In district

#8 of 19

Pender County Schools

Academic performance

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Surf City Middle

Surf City Middle serves grades six through eight in Hampstead, North Carolina, a rural community in Pender County. The school enrolls 750 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.4 to 1, with 35 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Surf City Middle ranks in the 58th percentile statewide, placing it at #1113 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools.

The school's academic score of 8.0 out of 10 reflects solid performance across its subject areas. In mathematics, 67 percent of students score at or above proficiency levels, while in English language arts and reading, 61 percent meet or exceed proficiency benchmarks. These results show particular strength in math while indicating room for continued growth in reading proficiency.

As a regular public middle school, Surf City Middle serves as an important educational hub for the rural Hampstead area. The school's structure and size allow it to serve the developmental needs of sixth through eighth graders while maintaining reasonable class sizes relative to staffing levels. Families considering Surf City Middle will find a school working to build strong academic foundations in a tight-knit, rural setting near town.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Surf City Middle is 21.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Surf City Middle 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 Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.6%
Math vs. State Avg+15.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.4 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,305

Surf City Middle — Students at Surf City Middle score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.6%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 61.5%
School
State
53.0%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
53%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
56%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
72.6%
ELA
63.7%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Surf City Middle Compares

See how Surf City Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
48th percentile in NC
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

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. Dixon Middle (rated 6.1/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Sneads Ferry), with a comparable rating. Another option is Topsail Middle (rated 5.8/10, 7.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Southwest Middle (rated 5.0/10, 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 5.1
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 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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Surf City Middle has a median household income of $89,392. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,500, with a median rent of $1,372/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
A G Cox Middle Winterville, NC 6.4
Allen Middle Greensboro, NC 6.4
Broadview Middle Burlington, NC 6.4
C M Eppes Middle Greenville, NC 6.4
Cedar Grove Middle Supply, NC 6.4
Cramerton Middle Cramerton, NC 6.4

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 is ranked #1373 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Surf City Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Surf City Middle has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Surf City Middle has 66.6% math proficiency and 61.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pender County Schools
District Enrollment
11,075
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,425
District Rank
#8 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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