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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Harnett County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 30 public schools serving 18,248 students in Harnett County, NC (there are 8 private schools, serving 591 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Harnett County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Harnett County, NC are Harnett County Early College, Union Pines High School and Plain View Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Harnett County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Harnett County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Harnett County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Harnett County Early College
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: ≥80% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
910 W. Harnett Street
Dunn, NC 28334
(910) 814-3470
Gr: 9-13 | 181 students Student-teacher ratio: 36:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #22.
Union Pines High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1981 Union Church Rd
Cameron, NC 28326
(910) 947-5511
Gr: 9-12 | 1,462 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Plain View Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4140 Plain View Hwy
Dunn, NC 28334
(910) 891-4354
Gr: K-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #44.
Midway Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1115 Roberts Grove Road
Dunn, NC 28334
(910) 567-5879
Gr: 6-8 | 584 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #55.
Triton High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
215 Maynard Lake Road
Erwin, NC 28339
(910) 897-8121
Gr: 9-12 | 1,274 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #66.
New Century Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1577 Union Church Road
Cameron, NC 28326
(910) 947-1301
Gr: 6-8 | 602 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #77.
Mcgee's Crossroads Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
10330 Nc Hwy 50 North
Angier, NC 27501
(919) 894-7161
Gr: PK-5 | 950 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #88.
Western Harnett High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
10637 Nc Hwy 27 West
Lillington, NC 27546
(919) 499-5113
Gr: 9-12 | 1,324 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #99.
Harnett Central High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2911 Harnett Central Rd
Angier, NC 27501
(919) 639-6161
Gr: 9-12 | 1,522 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1010.
Buies Creek Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
340 Main Street
Buies Creek, NC 27506
(910) 893-3505
Gr: K-5 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1111.
Carolina Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
8529 Nc Highway 55
Angier, NC 27501
(984) 300-3015
Gr: K-8 | 782 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1212.
Western Harnett Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
11135 Nc Hwy 27 West
Lillington, NC 27546
(919) 499-4497
Gr: 6-8 | 700 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1313.
Midway Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
15375 Spiveys Corner Highway
Dunn, NC 28334
(910) 567-2244
Gr: PK-5 | 539 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1414.
Cameron Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2636 Nc Hwy 24 27
Cameron, NC 28326
(910) 245-7814
Gr: K-5 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1515.
Harnett Virtual Academy
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
900 11th Strrt
Lillington, NC 27546
(910) 893-4072
Gr: K-12 | 100 students Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1616.
Dunn Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
800 W Harnett St
Dunn, NC 28334
(910) 892-0126
Gr: PK-5 | 813 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1717.
Boone Trail Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1425 Adcock Road
Mamers, NC 27552
(910) 893-4013
Gr: PK-5 | 545 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1818.
Harnett Central Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2529 Harnett Central Rd
Angier, NC 27501
(919) 639-6000
Gr: 6-8 | 1,059 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1919.
Coats-erwin Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2833 Nc Hwy 55e
Dunn, NC 28334
(910) 230-0300
Gr: 6-8 | 589 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #2020.
Lillington-shawtown Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
855 Old Us 421
Lillington, NC 27546
(910) 893-3483
Gr: PK-5 | 695 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2121.
South Harnett Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8335 Nc 210 South
Bunnlevel, NC 28323
(910) 893-9153
Gr: 3-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2222.
Johnsonville Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
18495 Nc Hwy 27 West
Cameron, NC 28326
(919) 499-4912
Gr: PK-5 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #2323.
Dunn Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1301 Meadowlark Road
Dunn, NC 28334
(910) 892-1016
Gr: 6-8 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #2424.
Angier Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
130 E Mciver St
Angier, NC 27501
(919) 639-2635
Gr: 3-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2525.
Coats Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
585 Brick Mill Road
Coats, NC 27521
(910) 897-8353
Gr: PK-5 | 633 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #2626.
Erwin Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
405 Denim Dr.
Erwin, NC 28339
(910) 897-7178
Gr: PK-5 | 637 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2727.
Star Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
900 11th Street
Lillington, NC 27546
(910) 893-4072
Gr: 6-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: n/an/a
Anderson Creek Primary
914 Anderson Creek Sch Rd
Bunnlevel, NC 28323
(910) 893-4523
Gr: PK-2 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: n/an/a
Carolina Charter Remote Academy Cfa
Charter School
8529 Nc Highway 55
Angier, NC 27501
(984) 300-3015
Rank: n/an/a
North Harnett Primary
282 N Harnett School Rd
Angier, NC 27501
(919) 639-4480
Gr: PK-2 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 75%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Harnett County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Harnett County, NC include Harnett County Early College, Union Pines High School and Plain View Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Harnett County?
29 public schools are located in Harnett County.
What percentage of students in Harnett County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Harnett County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Harnett County?
Harnett County public schools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Harnett County are often viewed compared to one another?

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