Photo: DiscoA340 · CC BY-SA 4.0Surf City’s public schools outscore 68% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Surf City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Surf City’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 266 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Surf City’s, its schools beat 80%, higher than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 51% and math 55% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,360 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is up 16% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Surf City’s grade
B+: better than 68% of North Carolina school districts, #51 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Surf City, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Surf City
Surf City Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 857 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Hampstead
Kindergarten in Surf City
Surf City Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 857 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Hampstead
1st grade in Surf City
Surf City Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 857 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Hampstead
2nd grade in Surf City
Surf City Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 857 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Hampstead
3rd grade in Surf City
Surf City Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 857 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Hampstead
4th grade in Surf City
Surf City Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 857 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Hampstead
5th grade in Surf City
Surf City Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 857 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Hampstead
6th grade in Surf City
Surf City Middle
Grades 6–8 · 752 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Hampstead
7th grade in Surf City
Surf City Middle
Grades 6–8 · 752 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Hampstead
8th grade in Surf City
Surf City Middle
Grades 6–8 · 752 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Hampstead
Surf City’s public schools are run by Pender County Schools, which also serves Atkinson, Burgaw, St. Helena and Topsail Beach and others. Parts of Surf City (7% of its land) are served by Onslow County Schools instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Surf City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Surf City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Surf City | B+ | Pender County Schools |
| Topsail Beach | — | Pender County Schools |
| North Topsail Beach | B− | Onslow County Schools |
Every school in Surf City
6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Surf City’s schools
Are Surf City’s schools good?
By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Surf City children attend outscore 68% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #51 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 80%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Surf City in?
Pender County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,073 students in 19 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Surf City are served by Onslow County Schools.
Where do Surf City kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Topsail High, Heide Trask High, Pender High and Pender Early College High.
What is Surf City’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in Pender County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Surf City spend per student?
$12,360 in Pender County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Surf City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Surf City → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.