The top reported proficiency rate is 53% in Science. The lowest is 31% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Burgaw Middle
Burgaw Middle is a school of roughly medium size for its grade band, serving students in grades six through eight in a town-center location within Pender County's rapidly growing school system. The school sits in Burgaw, the county seat, a small historic town that has become a hub for new residential subdivisions and is part of the fast-growing Wilmington metropolitan area.
The student body reflects both the economic and demographic character of its community. A very substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating widespread economic need. The enrollment is racially and ethnically diverse: Black and white students each make up a large share of enrollment, with a meaningful Hispanic population and smaller numbers of multiracial students. No data on special education identification or English learner enrollment was available.
State testing results show areas of strength and areas that need work. Science proficiency stands well above the others, with a solid majority of tested students meeting the proficiency threshold. Reading and mathematics proficiency are considerably lower, with fewer than half of tested students reaching proficiency in either subject. A parent may want to explore with the school what steps are being taken to address performance in these core areas.
Burgaw Middle is part of a district in the midst of major change. Pender County Schools has adopted a districtwide Science of Reading approach for younger grades as of the 2022-2023 school year and rolled out new curricula in math, English, and science in 2023-2024. These curriculum decisions have not yet had time to influence middle-grade performance, but they signal an intentional shift across the district. Additionally, a substantial school bond approved in 2022 is driving facility improvements. Burgaw Middle itself is scheduled for renovation as part of that bond, and a large new K-8 campus is under construction in nearby Hampstead, expected to open in 2027. This growth infrastructure reflects the district's response to rapid population expansion in the county.
From a housing and economic perspective, Burgaw and Pender County sit in an active growth market. The county's population has grown substantially in recent years and is consistently ranked among North Carolina's fastest-growing. New residential subdivisions with names like Pike Landing, Plum Point, and CreekSide are actively under development on the town's edges, and multiple builders are marketing single-family homes. Median home values in the area are below the state benchmark. However, families should be aware that Pender County's property tax rate rose to help fund the school bond, and the county is conducting its first property revaluation since 2000, with countywide values projected to increase meaningfully as a result. Taken together, this means property taxes for homeowners moving in will be higher than they otherwise would be.
The town of Burgaw itself is a walkable county seat with a historic downtown anchored by the courthouse square, connected to schools and parks by the Osgood Canal Greenway and Urban Trail. Employment centers include county government, Pender Memorial Hospital, and retail establishments like a Walmart Supercenter, alongside regional manufacturers. The setting is quiet and small-town in character, with a clear sense of civic center and community anchors within walking distance of downtown.
For a family considering Burgaw Middle, the picture is of a school in a community that is growing rapidly, receiving meaningful district investment, and undergoing curriculum-wide instructional shifts. Current test results suggest the school has room to grow in reading and mathematics, while science performance is stronger. The economic need in the student population is substantial. The community itself is poised for continued growth, with new housing coming online and infrastructure investments to support it.
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