Schools in Zip Code 28425

Zip code 28425 in Burgaw, North Carolina is home to six schools in Pender County Schools — two elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools — serving roughly 2,351 students from elementary through high school, nearly all of whom (~98%) come from economically disadvantaged households. It is a community of stark contrasts: with a single shining exception, the traditional schools in this zip code struggle to reach state averages, while that exception performs at an elite level among the best high schools in North Carolina.

The clear standout is Pender Early College High, ranked 18th of 662 high schools statewide with a 5-star rating, achieving 97.5% proficiency in Biology, 98.3% in English II, and 100% in Math III. By contrast, Pender High — the local traditional high school serving a similar demographic — ranks 597th of 662 with Biology proficiency of just 19.8%. At the elementary level, Malpass Corner Elementary ranks in the 5th percentile statewide (1,419 of 1,492), with only 21.7% of 5th graders reading proficiently, while C.F. Pope Elementary is somewhat stronger but still low at the 12th percentile. Among middle schools, Burgaw Middle ranks in the 14th percentile and posts a striking 40.7% chronic absenteeism rate; West Pender Middle ranks higher at the 21st percentile but remains well below district and state averages.

Early literacy is a serious concern, as elementary reading proficiency trails state averages by 20 to 34 points, and all five schools with reported data exceed state and district chronic absenteeism rates. Spending does not explain outcomes — Pender Early College High spends the least per student yet outperforms every other school, while Burgaw Middle spends the most with some of the weakest results. There are modest positive trends from low baselines: West Pender Middle has improved its statewide ranking for three straight years, and Pender High made a sharp jump in Math I proficiency. However, for families seeking the strongest academic option in this zip code, the specialized early college pathway is the clear leader, while the traditional feeder schools face substantial challenges in both academics and attendance.