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
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Surf City Middle — Students at Surf City Middle score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
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 12 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: 7.6/10.
How Surf City Middle Compares
See how Surf City Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 72.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 63.6% (2025).
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (910) 928-0087
- 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
- #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 methodologyRelated reading
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