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Buies Creek Elementary

Q: Is Buies Creek Elementary a good school?

Buies Creek Elementary ranks 1112 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

1112^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 25% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Buies Creek Elementary is a small K–5 school in Buies Creek, NC, serving 267 students as part of Harnett County Schools, and it has declined from a solidly above-average school a decade ago to a 1-star rating (25th percentile statewide) in 2025–26. The student body is majority low-income, with 57.7% receiving free/reduced lunch, but that rate is far lower than the 96–99% seen at nearby Harnett elementaries like Dunn Elementary, Erwin Elementary, Lillington-Shawtown Elementary, Angier Elementary, and North Harnett Primary. Chronic absenteeism is a genuine strength at just 15.7% versus the district's 26.9%, yet these advantages have not translated into strong academic results.

The most striking pattern is a pronounced 4th-grade achievement valley. In 2025–26, 4th-grade math proficiency was just 29.8% and reading 27.7%—roughly 20 to 30 points below district and state averages. This is not a one-year fluke, as 4th-grade math has declined for three straight years (from 40.5% to 29.8%). Meanwhile, 5th graders are performing dramatically better: 5th-grade math reached 58.1% (above the district's 54.2%), and 5th-grade science has repeatedly exceeded district and state averages, including a remarkable 84.4% in 2023–24. That 28-point gap between consecutive grades suggests the issue is not student ability but something specific happening in 4th grade.

Behind the overall numbers are real equity concerns. Economically disadvantaged students ranked at just the 2nd percentile statewide in 2025–26, while boys and Hispanic students have also seen sharp relative declines. What makes this more puzzling is the comparison to Benson Elementary in Johnston County Public Schools: Benson serves a student body where 99.6% qualify for free/reduced lunch, yet it ranks at the 61st percentile and posted 4th-grade math scores of 71.7% versus Buies Creek's 29.8%. Buies Creek's strong attendance, small size, and comparatively lower poverty give it real structural advantages. The data point to a targeted path forward: investigate the 4th-grade drop, replicate what works in 5th grade, and focus support on the students being left furthest behind.

267

Students ?

16.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

57.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

340 Main Street
Buies Creek, NC 27506

(910) 893-3505

District: Harnett County Schools

Students who attend Buies Creek Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Harnett Central Middle
High:	Harnett Central High

Racial breakdown:

White:

47.6%

Hispanic:

21.0%

African American:

19.5%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Buies Creek Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 70th percentile in 2016 → 25th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the North Carolina average (47% vs 61% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 45 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school47%

District avg54%

North Carolina avg61%

1,112^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Bottom 25%▼ down 45 pts since 2016

From top 30% (2016) to bottom 25% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

173^rd of 246Harnett County Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	29.1	1112 of 1492	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	32.9	1037 of 1490	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.7	823 of 1505	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.9	955 of 1502	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	57.3	627 of 1514	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	53.2	665 of 1489	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.4	723 of 1473	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	67.7	448 of 1434	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	71.7	377 of 1429	73.6%	★★★★☆
2016	68.4	427 of 1425	70.0%	★★★★☆
2015	62.3	534 of 1440	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	74.6	317 of 1390	77.2%	★★★★☆
2013	66.9	413 of 1403	70.6%	★★★★☆
2012	37.0	985 of 1388	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	57.7	651 of 1381	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2010	56.0	680 of 1363	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	59.7	614 of 1354	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2008	53.3	660 of 1324	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	65.8	425 of 1293	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2006	66.5	400 of 1276	68.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	42.7	861 of 1447	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	47.2	763 of 1451	47.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	43.8	825 of 1455	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	39.8	885 of 1459	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	63.8	482 of 1458	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.7	528 of 1440	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	46.2	806 of 1424	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	65.2	475 of 1405	66.2%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	44.2	615 of 743	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	18.7	870 of 961	9.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	7.6	1410 of 1434	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	32.7	1061 of 1437	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.6	1127 of 1450	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	27.2	1138 of 1437	20.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	26.6	1105 of 1366	19.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	31.5	929 of 1329	30.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.6	934 of 1361	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	67.7	349 of 1332	73.8%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	19.3	1275 of 1451	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	18.2	1286 of 1450	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	47.4	794 of 1464	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.8	938 of 1461	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	49.2	732 of 1464	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	38.8	867 of 1444	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	60.6	525 of 1430	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	70.1	382 of 1413	73.0%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	28.7	910 of 1146	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	36.5	809 of 1172	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	52.1	573 of 1166	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	46.9	660 of 1183	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	64.4	386 of 1194	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	54.6	507 of 1172	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	47.1	659 of 1183	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	63.0	432 of 1178	63.3%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Female (2026)40th percentile+15 vs school

White (2026)21st percentile-5 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)17th percentile-8 vs school

Male (2026)12th percentile-13 vs school

Hispanic (2025)9th percentile-21 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)2nd percentile-24 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science60%-7 vs state

Mathematics50%-13 vs state

Reading40%-16 vs state

★

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Schools Near Buies Creek Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)						EOG Reading (2026)						EOG Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Buies Creek Elementary	Public	K-5	340 Main Street	Buies Creek	27506	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 893-3505	267	16	16.7	57.7%	127 (47.6%)	52 (19.5%)	56 (21.0%)	7 (2.6%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (9.0%)	29.1	1112^th of 1492 public elementary schools	25.5%		32.9	1037^th of 1490 public elementary schools	30.4%	75	65.1	29.8	58.1				51.2	27.7	41.9				60.5		$10,852	$1,195	$9,657
Coats Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	585 Brick Mill Road	Coats	27521	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 897-8353	633	46	13.6	96.7%	256 (40.4%)	97 (15.3%)	253 (40.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (4.3%)	8.7	1435^th of 1492 public elementary schools	3.8%		13.7	1369^th of 1490 public elementary schools	8.1%	66	44.4	33.6	38.5				28.3	34.5	36.3				34.1		$9,628	$1,127	$8,501
North Harnett Primary	Public	PK, KG-2	282 N Harnett School Rd	Angier	27501	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 639-4480	329	24	13.4	99.1%	81 (24.6%)	68 (20.7%)	162 (49.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (5.2%)								(n/a)															$11,314	$1,568	$9,747
Lillington-Shawtown Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	855 Old US 421	Lillington	27546	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 893-3483	695	46	15.0	99.6%	256 (36.8%)	216 (31.1%)	170 (24.5%)	8 (1.2%)	4 (0.6%)	4 (0.6%)	37 (5.3%)	29.2	1110^th of 1492 public elementary schools	25.6%		25.8	1162^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	22.0%	52	69.7	39.1	48.0				49.5	36.4	47.1				54.9		$11,024	$1,970	$9,053
Angier Elementary	Public	3-5	130 E McIver St	Angier	27501	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 639-2635	376	26	14.3	99.2%	98 (26.1%)	59 (15.7%)	203 (54.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.7%)	14.7	1368^th of 1492 public elementary schools	8.3%		11.2	1403^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	5.8%	35	54.9	35.1	38.8				36.3	40.5	28.4				52.6		$9,429	$1,293	$8,136
Erwin Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	405 Denim Dr.	Erwin	28339	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 897-7178	637	43	14.6	97.8%	276 (43.3%)	146 (22.9%)	172 (27.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (1.4%)	1 (0.2%)	33 (5.2%)	24.2	1199^th of 1492 public elementary schools	19.6%		11.3	1402^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	5.9%	203	57.7	44.3	46.8				49.5	33.0	40.9				53.2		$10,032	$1,452	$8,580
LaFayette Year-Round	Public	K-6	108 Lafayette School Rd	Fuquay Varina	27526	Wake County	Harnett County Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(919) 552-4353	179	10	17.3	32.4%	122 (68.2%)	26 (14.5%)	21 (11.7%)	2 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.5%)	75.4	314^th of 1492 public elementary schools	79.0%		56.7	618^th of 1490 public elementary schools	58.5%	304	69.0	75.0	68.2	65.2			72.4	83.3	63.6	65.2			68.2
Carolina Charter Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	8529 NC Highway 55	Angier	27501	Harnett County	Carolina Charter Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(984) 300-3015	782	49	15.9		403 (51.5%)	80 (10.2%)	136 (17.4%)	103 (13.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	60 (7.7%)	64.8	508^th of 1492 public elementary schools	66.0%		60.5	556^th of 1490 public elementary schools	62.7%	48	62.5	73.7	62.4	53.4	69.2	70.0	64.8	75.8	64.4	56.8	61.5	78.3	70.3	91.7
Achievement Charter Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	25 Buttonwood Ct.	Fuquay Varina	27526	Wake County	Achievement Charter Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(919) 552-5446	211	14	15.2		114 (54.0%)	43 (20.4%)	25 (11.8%)	5 (2.4%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (10.9%)	27.9	1139^th of 1492 public elementary schools	23.7%		12.1	1390^th of 1490 public elementary schools	6.7%	251	78.6	40.7	50.0	27.8			46.4	40.7	44.0	33.3			52.0
Dunn Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	800 W Harnett St	Dunn	28334	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 892-0126	813	58	13.9	99.5%	144 (17.7%)	353 (43.4%)	253 (31.1%)	5 (0.6%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	53 (6.5%)	23.9	1210^th of 1492 public elementary schools	18.9%		19.9	1281^st of 1490 public elementary schools	14.0%	71	48.7	63.6	48.2				37.8	43.9	35.1				45.6		$10,796	$1,629	$9,166

Frequently Asked Questions about Buies Creek Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Buies Creek Elementary?

Students at Buies Creek Elementary are 48% White, 21% Hispanic, 19% African American, 9% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

How many students attend Buies Creek Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 267 students attended Buies Creek Elementary.

What district is Buies Creek Elementary in?

Harnett County Schools

What schools do graduates of Buies Creek Elementary attend?

Students who attend Buies Creek Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Harnett Central Middle
High : Harnett Central High

Is Buies Creek Elementary a good school?

Buies Creek Elementary ranks 1112^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Rate Buies Creek Elementary!

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.