Topsail Middle

Located at 17445 US Hwy 17, in Hampstead, North Carolina, Topsail Middle is a moderately sized junior high that serves 837 students (grades 5 through 8), overseen by Pender County Schools. That puts it 38% larger than the typical public school in North Carolina, which averages around 605 students.

Across the 19 schools in Pender County Schools (11,073 students total), Topsail Middle accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

Demographically, Topsail Middle records that nearly all students (84%) are White; the rest looks like 8% Hispanic, 5% multiracial, 3% Black. That is meaningfully more White than the county at large, where the share is closer to 75%.

On the resource side, On paper, Topsail Middle has 45 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 18.7:1. The state averages around 15.9:1, so this campus is higher than the state norm typical. An estimated 20% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy. That share is noticeably below Pender County's rate of about 70%.

On a demographically-adjusted basis, Topsail Middle sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 72.7%; this one delivers 72.3%.

Around the school, Pender County reports that the typical household earns roughly $80,396 per year, 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 7%. In all, Pender County runs 19 public schools (combined enrollment of about 11,073 students), of which Topsail Middle is one.

The closest other public school is Topsail Annandale Elementary School, roughly 0.2 miles away. Within five miles, there are 4 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts Topsail Middle at 4th of 8; the average score across the group is 71.2%.

Geographically, the school is in a countryside area.

Five-year trend. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Topsail Middle has fell 17%, going from 1,005 students in 2018 to 837 in 2025.

On allk12, members of the Topsail Middle community share and discuss pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.