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Average

#1845 of 2,648 schools in NC

West Pender Middle

Middle School · Pender County Schools

10750 NC Hwy 53 West, Burgaw, NC 28425

Enrollment

188

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

5.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Burgaw

#3 of 6

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#302 of 475

In district

#11 of 19

Pender County Schools

School environment

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About West Pender Middle

West Pender Middle is a regular public middle school located in Burgaw, North Carolina, in the rural setting of Pender County. The school serves students in grades 6 through 8 with an enrollment of 188 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, ensuring that each child receives plenty of individual attention. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' success, West Pender Middle provides a supportive learning environment.

According to MySchoolScout's ranking, the school is rated at 3.6 out of 10, placing it in the 18th percentile among North Carolina schools and with room for improvement academically. In terms of test performance, 33% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 28% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite these challenges, West Pender Middle continues to focus on student development and growth.

The school's setting amidst the rural landscape of Burgaw offers a unique community feel where teachers and parents work together closely to support each student’s educational journey.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 188 students, West Pender Middle is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, West Pender 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 Progress5.5Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.5Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.9%
Math vs. State Avg-24.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.3 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,305

West Pender Middle — Students at West Pender Middle score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.4%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 33.3%
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
17%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
32.8%
ELA
33%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How West Pender Middle Compares

See how West Pender Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
30th percentile in NC
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

10750 NC Hwy 53 West, Burgaw, NC 28425

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Pender Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cape Fear Middle (rated 7.8/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Rocky Point), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burgaw Middle (rated 4.8/10, 10.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Burgaw, see our Burgaw schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Malpass Corner Elementary Burgaw 3.2 mi 6.2
Pender High Burgaw 5.3 mi 2.5
PENDERLEA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rocky Point 7.5 mi 5.8
Penderlea Elementary Willard 9.3 mi 6.7
C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw 10.1 mi 5.5
Burgaw Middle Burgaw 10.2 mi 4.8
Pender Early College High Burgaw 10.3 mi 6.4
HARRELLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrells 14.7 mi 5.9
Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point 13.5 mi 5.0
Cape Fear Middle Rocky Point 13.6 mi 7.8
Pender Innovative Learning Academy Rocky Point 13.6 mi 4.1
Heide Trask High Rocky Point 13.5 mi 3.9
NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace 15.4 mi 6.5
Acme Delco Elementary Riegelwood 15.2 mi 7.3
Wallace Elementary Wallace 15.9 mi 4.1
ZELOPHEHAD'S DAUGHTERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wallace 16.3 mi
Rocky Point Elementary Rocky Point 14.6 mi 9.0
Classical Charter Schools of Leland Leland 17.1 mi 5.5
East Arcadia Elementary Riegelwood 15.5 mi 5.2
Wallace-Rose Hill High Teachey 17.8 mi 3.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28425 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,163

Median Home Value

$206,300

Median Rent

$989/mo

Population

10,823

College Educated

23.2%

Homeownership

78.4%

Avg Commute

29.8 min

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Median Age

44.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Pender Middle has a median household income of $65,163. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,300, with a median rent of $989/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
East Yancey Middle Burnsville, NC 5.5
Elkin Middle Elkin, NC 5.5
Nakina Middle Nakina, NC 5.5
Andrews Middle Andrews, NC 5.9
Lowrance Middle Winston-Salem, NC 5.2
Ellerbe Middle Ellerbe, NC 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Pender Middle

What grades does West Pender Middle serve?

West Pender Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend West Pender Middle?

West Pender Middle has an enrollment of approximately 188 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Pender Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at West Pender Middle is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Pender Middle rank in NC?

West Pender Middle is ranked #1845 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Pender Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

West Pender Middle has a composite rating of 5.6 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 West Pender Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Pender Middle has 28.4% math proficiency and 33.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Pender Middle a charter school?

No, West Pender Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Pender Middle a Title I school?

No, West Pender Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Pender Middle?

98.4% of students at West Pender 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

City Safety
High (1,644/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Burgaw). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
188
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant 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
#11 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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