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
Enrollment
188
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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West Pender Middle — Students at West Pender Middle score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.4%
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: 5.5/10.
How West Pender Middle Compares
See how West Pender Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 32.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 32.9% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (910) 283-5626
- 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
- #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 methodologyRelated reading
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