PENDER EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

Pender Early College High is a Title I public high school that is part of the Pender County Schools school district, located in Burgaw, NC with about 223 students offering grade levels from 9th Grade to 13th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 11 teachers, Pender Early College High has a student/teacher ratio of about 20:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

Pender Early College High (PECHS), located in Burgaw, North Carolina, is a specialized educational institution designed to provide a unique "school-within-a-school" experience. Unlike a traditional four-year high school, it is an Early College model that focuses on merging high school and college coursework. This allows students to complete their high school graduation requirements while simultaneously earning college credits—or even an Associate degree—through a partnership with Cape Fear Community College. The program is intentionally designed to support students who may be first-generation college attendees or those who thrive in a smaller, more personalized academic environment.

The school emphasizes a culture of academic rigor and accelerated learning, aiming to bridge the transition between secondary education and post-secondary success. By reducing the time and cost associated with a traditional college degree, PECHS provides its students with a significant head start in their professional and educational journeys. The curriculum is delivered in a supportive, close-knit atmosphere where faculty and staff focus on individualized instruction, helping students develop the time management and self-discipline skills necessary for collegiate-level study while still navigating their high school years.

For more information, contact Pender Early College High at (910) 362-7925 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.