Pender High School is located in Burgaw, North Carolina on Highway 53, and about 25 miles from Wilmington, North Carolina. It was established in 1975. Pender High is a 1A school with about 650 enrolled students and 56 teachers. The school's mascot the Patriots. It is in the Pender County Schools district.
Serving 672 students in grades 9-12, Pender High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40-59% (which is approximately equal to the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 35-39% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student-teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 672 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 90-94% (Top 20% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 40-59% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 35-39% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 30-34% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Pender High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Pender High School's student population of 672 students has grown by 15% over five school years.
The teacher population of 35 teachers has declined by 12% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
672 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
35 teachers
Year Founded
1975
School Rankings
Pender High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Pender High School is 0.69, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1633 out of 2617 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)40-59%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
63%
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
15:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
1%
4%
Hispanic
21%
21%
Black
30%
25%
White
43%
43%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
(21-22)90-94%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (22-23)
4%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Patriot
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pender High School's ranking?
Pender High School is ranked #1633 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are Pender High School often compared to?
Pender High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Heide Trask High School, Topsail High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40-59% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 35-39% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Pender High School?
The graduation rate of Pender High School is 90-94%, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 86%.
How many students attend Pender High School?
672 students attend Pender High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
43% of Pender High School students are White, 30% of students are Black, 21% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Pender High School?
Pender High School has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does Pender High School offer ?
Pender High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Pender High School part of?
Pender High School is part of Pender County Schools.
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