Pender Early College High School, also known as PEC or PECHS, is a school in Burgaw, North Carolina, United States, created by the Early College High School Initiative, and sponsored by the New Schools Project.
Serving 188 students in grades 9-13, Pender Early College High School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≥80% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≥90% (which is higher 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 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-13
- Enrollment: 188 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 34%
- Graduation Rate: ≥90% (Top 30% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5%
- Math Proficiency: ≥80% (Top 10%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≥90% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: ≥90% (Top 5%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Pender Early College High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Community Size
School Overview
Pender Early College High School's student population of 188 students has declined by 6% over five school years.
The teacher population of 10 teachers has declined by 9% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-13
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
188 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
10 teachers
Year Founded
2006
School Rankings
Pender Early College High School ranks within the top 5% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Pender Early College High School is 0.50, 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
#89 out of 2617 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥80%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥90%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥90%
63%
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
1%
4%
Hispanic
25%
21%
Black
4%
25%
White
66%
43%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥90%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
34%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
1%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Seawolf
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pender Early College High School's ranking?
Pender Early College High School is ranked #89 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are Pender Early College High School often compared to?
Pender Early College High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Topsail High School, Pender High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≥80% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while ≥90% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Pender Early College High School?
The graduation rate of Pender Early College High School is 90%, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 86%.
How many students attend Pender Early College High School?
188 students attend Pender Early College High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
66% of Pender Early College High School students are White, 25% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Black, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Pender Early College High School?
Pender Early College 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 Early College High School offer ?
Pender Early College High School offers enrollment in grades 9-13 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Pender Early College High School part of?
Pender Early College High School is part of Pender County Schools School District.
School Reviews
Review Pender Early College High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
