Harnett County Schools & Education
Harnett County, North Carolina
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
24/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
87.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,985
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,969
School Score
24/100
Higher = better
State avg 40/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#93
of 100 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Harnett County
School Verdict
Harnett County faces educational challenges with a school score of 24/100 and a graduation rate of 87.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,985 per pupil, Harnett County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Harnett County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 41% below the North Carolina average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 14% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Harnett County, North Carolina
Growing Enrollment in a Thriving County
Harnett County supports 30 public schools and a large student population of 20,496 across three districts. The landscape is primarily elementary-focused with 17 schools, balanced by 6 middle and 6 high schools.
Graduation Rates Match National Standards
Harnett County achieves an 87.0% graduation rate, perfectly matching the national average. This is accomplished with a leaner per-pupil expenditure of $5,985, which is notably lower than both state and national spending levels.
Harnett County Schools Dominates Enrollment
Harnett County Schools is the central pillar of the community, serving 20,050 students in 28 schools. While charter options like Anderson Creek Academy exist, they represent less than 7% of the total school landscape.
Larger Campuses in a Rural Setting
The county features an average school size of 683 students, with 17 schools situated in rural locales. Overhills High stands out as the largest facility, housing 1,971 students in a modern educational environment.
Settle Near Harnett’s Leading Schools
With a mix of rural charm and growing suburban centers, Harnett County is an emerging choice for families. Check out homes near Overhills or Harnett Central to take advantage of the county's largest high school programs.
School Overview
Total Schools
30
in Harnett County
Total Enrollment
20,496
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
2
7% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Harnett County
Harnett County Schools
Anderson Creek Academy
Achievement Charter Academy
30 Public Schools in Harnett County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overhills High | Harnett County Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,971 |
| Harnett Central High | Harnett County Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,474 |
| Western Harnett High | Harnett County Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,386 |
| Triton High | Harnett County Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,287 |
| Benhaven Elementary | Harnett County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 1,030 |
| Harnett Central Middle | Harnett County Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 1,024 |
| Overhills Elementary | Harnett County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 930 |
| Highland Elementary | Harnett County Schools | KG–5 | Primary | 891 |
| Highland Middle | Harnett County Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 875 |
| Western Harnett Middle | Harnett County Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 820 |
| Dunn Elementary | Harnett County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 799 |
| Overhills Middle | Harnett County Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 799 |
| Lillington-Shawtown Elementary | Harnett County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 694 |
| Coats Elementary | Harnett County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 671 |
| LaFayette Elementary | Harnett County Schools | KG–5 | Primary | 625 |
| Coats-Erwin Middle | Harnett County Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 606 |
| Anderson Creek Primary | Harnett County Schools | PK–2 | Primary | 582 |
| Erwin Elementary | Harnett County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 562 |
| Boone Trail Elementary | Harnett County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 507 |
| Johnsonville Elementary | Harnett County Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 475 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,985
State avg $6,969
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Harnett County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Harnett County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Harnett County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Harnett County?
How much does Harnett County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Harnett County, North Carolina — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Harnett County, North Carolina?
Harnett County supports 30 public schools and a large student population of 20,496 across three districts. The landscape is primarily elementary-focused with 17 schools, balanced by 6 middle and 6 high schools.
How do schools in Harnett County perform academically?
Harnett County achieves an 87.0% graduation rate, perfectly matching the national average. This is accomplished with a leaner per-pupil expenditure of $5,985, which is notably lower than both state and national spending levels.
What are the major school districts in Harnett County, North Carolina?
Harnett County Schools is the central pillar of the community, serving 20,050 students in 28 schools. While charter options like Anderson Creek Academy exist, they represent less than 7% of the total school landscape.
What is the school experience like in Harnett County?
The county features an average school size of 683 students, with 17 schools situated in rural locales. Overhills High stands out as the largest facility, housing 1,971 students in a modern educational environment.
How can I find homes near good schools in Harnett County, North Carolina?
With a mix of rural charm and growing suburban centers, Harnett County is an emerging choice for families. Check out homes near Overhills or Harnett Central to take advantage of the county's largest high school programs.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.