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Highland Elementary

Q: Is Highland Elementary a good school?

Highland Elementary ranks 649 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

649^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 57% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Highland Elementary is a PK–5 school in Sanford, NC, serving about 854 students in Harnett County Schools. The school holds a 3-star state rating, placing it in the 57th percentile of North Carolina elementary schools — well above its district overall, which ranks near the 30th percentile. After slipping to the low-30s percentile in 2021–22 and 2022–23, Highland rebounded to the high-50s in recent rankings, matching or slightly exceeding its pre-pandemic performance.

Highland's clearest strengths are in the early grades: 3rd-grade math proficiency is 77.1%, about 11 points above the state average, and 3rd-grade reading is also ahead of the state. The school beats the district average in every tested subject and grade. Chronic absenteeism has fallen steadily, from 36.5% in 2021–22 to 20.8% in 2024–25, below both the district (26.9%) and state (24.2%) averages. About 55% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, making Highland more economically mixed than nearby Boone Trail Elementary and Anderson Creek Primary, both of which exceed 97% eligibility. Low-income students at Highland perform at the 57th percentile statewide, matching the school's overall performance. The closest comparison is Overhills Elementary, which has nearly the same poverty rate and overall ranking, though Highland is stronger in early grades while Overhills is stronger in 5th grade.

The main challenges are upper-elementary math, English Learner outcomes, and a male-female achievement gap. By 5th grade, Highland's math proficiency (54.7%) trails the state average (62.9%), and higher-poverty schools like Johnsonville Elementary and Greenwood Elementary post stronger upper-grade results. English Learners sit at the 20th percentile statewide — improved sharply from the 3rd percentile the year before but still a concern. Male students rank at the 63rd percentile versus the 42nd for female students. Given its recent trajectory, Highland appears well positioned to keep improving if it focuses on these specific areas.

854

Students ?

15.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

54.6%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

1915 Buffalo Lake Road
Sanford, NC 27330

(919) 499-2200

District: Harnett County Schools

Students who attend Highland Elementary usually attend:

Middle:

Highland Middle

Racial breakdown:

White:

44.7%

Hispanic:

27.9%

African American:

18.0%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Highland Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 45th percentile in 2016 → 57th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 12 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the North Carolina median (57th percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school61%

District avg54%

North Carolina avg61%

649^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 43%▲ up 12 pts since 2016

From bottom 45% (2016) to top 43% (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	55.4	649 of 1492	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	56.7	615 of 1490	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	40.9	913 of 1505	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	32.8	1042 of 1502	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	32.1	1051 of 1514	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	48.5	731 of 1489	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	54.5	685 of 1473	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	56.5	638 of 1434	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	41.8	891 of 1429	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2016	47.2	790 of 1425	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2015	59.6	581 of 1440	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2014	61.7	515 of 1390	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2013	54.9	584 of 1403	58.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	40.7	929 of 1388	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2011	29.5	1078 of 1381	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	34.8	999 of 1363	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	43.8	869 of 1354	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2008	41.5	849 of 1324	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2007	38.3	919 of 1293	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	39.9	864 of 1276	32.3%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	49.7	431 of 903	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	42.5	521 of 918	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	35.2	647 of 924	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	22.4	795 of 933	14.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	23.6	793 of 927	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	37.9	531 of 896	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	34.8	669 of 949	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	38.7	590 of 927	36.4%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	25.0	530 of 634	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	52.3	231 of 646	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	49.5	373 of 878	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	51.4	367 of 897	59.1%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	28.7	417 of 519	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	30.4	423 of 563	24.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	15.8	516 of 533	3.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	23.0	445 of 514	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	57.1	151 of 497	69.6%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	43.9	836 of 1447	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	52.3	687 of 1451	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	37.0	966 of 1455	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	29.5	1087 of 1459	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	27.5	1113 of 1458	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	47.1	719 of 1440	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	45.3	818 of 1424	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	48.2	780 of 1405	44.5%	★★☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	46.8	581 of 743	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	70.6	106 of 710	85.1%	★★★★☆
2024	36.3	594 of 669	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	41.8	495 of 582	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	35.3	438 of 500	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	52.4	423 of 612	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	60.1	25 of 69	63.8%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	51.3	466 of 981	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	58.3	348 of 961	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.0	390 of 951	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.3	451 of 915	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	32.5	667 of 893	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	60.4	256 of 843	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	72.3	173 of 865	80.0%	★★★★☆
2018	75.3	147 of 851	82.7%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	53.5	620 of 1434	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	50.7	673 of 1437	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	35.5	1006 of 1450	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	30.7	1072 of 1437	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	16.6	1266 of 1366	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	42.6	732 of 1329	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	49.6	688 of 1361	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	49.5	678 of 1332	49.1%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	62.3	535 of 1451	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.4	558 of 1450	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.8	830 of 1464	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.8	973 of 1461	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	36.7	946 of 1464	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	48.7	706 of 1444	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	62.6	490 of 1430	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	63.0	510 of 1413	63.9%	★★★☆☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	60.6	27 of 67	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	47.9	47 of 72	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.3	53 of 75	29.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	24.8	69 of 81	14.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	30.6	64 of 85	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	47.1	42 of 76	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	55.9	36 of 72	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	61.9	29 of 76	61.8%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	68.2	57 of 181	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	49.7	90 of 175	48.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	30.0	122 of 159	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	18.7	136 of 154	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	25.3	106 of 133	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	41.4	55 of 97	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	35.0	78 of 103	24.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	45.5	54 of 86	37.2%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	39.9	463 of 815	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	61.5	213 of 821	74.1%	★★★★☆
2024	38.3	477 of 801	40.4%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	51.2	578 of 1146	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	53.3	546 of 1172	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	29.5	900 of 1166	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	24.7	987 of 1183	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	33.3	867 of 1194	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	46.2	632 of 1172	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	49.8	611 of 1183	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	54.4	572 of 1178	51.4%	★★★☆☆

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)

Multi-racial (2026)69th percentile+12 vs school

Male (2026)63rd percentile+7 vs school

Military Connected (2026)60th percentile+3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)57th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)52nd percentile-4 vs school

African American (2026)52nd percentile-4 vs school

White (2026)50th percentile-7 vs school

Special Education (2026)43rd percentile-13 vs school

Female (2026)42nd percentile-14 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)22nd percentile-35 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)20th percentile-37 vs school

Disabled (2022)16th percentile-14 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science66%~ state avg

Mathematics64%~ state avg

Reading58%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Highland 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 Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)			EOG Reading (2026)			EOG Science (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	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 Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners up to date on all required vaccines	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highland Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1915 Buffalo Lake Road	Sanford	27330	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 499-2200	854	57	15.0	54.6%	382 (44.7%)	154 (18.0%)	238 (27.9%)	6 (0.7%)	2 (0.2%)	8 (0.9%)	64 (7.5%)	55.4	649^th of 1492 public elementary schools	56.5%		56.7	615^th of 1490 public elementary schools	58.7%	34	77.1	58.5	54.7	61.4	55.8	55.5	65.6			$8,595	$1,050	$7,546
Benhaven Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	520 Olive Farm Dr	Sanford	27332	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 499-4811	1,065	65	16.4	44.3%	494 (46.4%)	222 (20.8%)	211 (19.8%)	20 (1.9%)	3 (0.3%)	6 (0.6%)	109 (10.2%)	57.8	614^th of 1492 public elementary schools	58.8%		66.8	449^th of 1490 public elementary schools	69.9%	165	72.3	67.6	68.5	55.5	58.0	53.3	63.0	82.2%	2.7%	$8,663	$866	$7,797
Johnsonville Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	18495 NC HWY 27 West	Cameron	28326	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 499-4912	489	31	15.5	—	171 (35.0%)	116 (23.7%)	152 (31.1%)	4 (0.8%)	5 (1.0%)	3 (0.6%)	38 (7.8%)	69.1	433^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	71.0%		47.3	793^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	46.8%	360	75.3	75.3	73.0	57.0	58.9	59.5	77.0	88.2%	2.6%	$9,975	$1,423	$8,552
Anderson Creek Academy	Public, Charter	K-5	4940 Ray Road	Spring Lake	28390	Harnett County	Anderson Creek Academy	Yes	No	No	No	(910) 814-9001	305	20	15.2	—	174 (57.0%)	36 (11.8%)	45 (14.8%)	2 (0.7%)	9 (3.0%)	2 (0.7%)	37 (12.1%)	91.2	96^th of 1492 public elementary schools	93.6%		92.6	77^th of 1490 public elementary schools	94.8%	19	84.4	83.7	72.1	80.0	86.0	88.4	93.0	92.1%	7.9%
Overhills Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2626 Ray Road	Spring Lake	28390	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 436-3545	866	53	16.2	54.4%	272 (31.4%)	269 (31.1%)	187 (21.6%)	8 (0.9%)	5 (0.6%)	11 (1.3%)	114 (13.2%)	55.5	648^th of 1492 public elementary schools	56.6%		45.1	830^th of 1490 public elementary schools	44.3%	182	67.5	55.5	67.5	59.6	58.9	52.0	69.1	83.6%	2.2%	$8,755	$1,118	$7,637
Anderson Creek Primary	Public	PK, KG-2	914 Anderson Creek Sch Rd	Bunnlevel	28323	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 893-4523	553	38	14.5	—	218 (39.4%)	167 (30.2%)	115 (20.8%)	4 (0.7%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	46 (8.3%)								(n/a)								86.1%	3.5%	$10,316	$1,371	$8,945
Boone Trail Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1425 Adcock Road	Lillington	27552	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 893-4013	545	37	14.7	—	229 (42.0%)	79 (14.5%)	208 (38.2%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (4.6%)	25	1189^th of 1492 public elementary schools	20.3%		20.9	1263^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	15.2%	74	71.3	43.6	45.5	52.1	38.3	30.7	42.6	87.6%	3.8%	$9,275	$1,308	$7,968
South Harnett Elementary	Public	3-5	8335 NC 210 South	Bunnlevel	28323	Harnett County	Harnett County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(910) 893-9153	476	34	14.2	97.1%	190 (39.9%)	133 (27.9%)	104 (21.8%)	3 (0.6%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	43 (9.0%)	35.5	994^th of 1492 public elementary schools	33.4%		26.3	1148^th of 1490 public elementary schools	23.0%	154	51.6	48.0	55.1	45.8	52.0	51.5	65.4			$8,707	$1,152	$7,555
Broadway Elementary	Public	K-5	307 S Main St	Broadway	27505	Lee County	Lee County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 258-3828	490	31	15.5	96.9%	150 (30.6%)	80 (16.3%)	237 (48.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.1%)	36.9	962^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	35.5%		18.4	1310^th of 1490 public elementary schools	12.1%	348	47.6	55.4	65.7	39.0	49.4	47.8	70.1	95.1%	2.5%	$9,542	$1,101	$8,441
Greenwood Elementary	Public	K-5	1127 Greenwood Rd	Sanford	28355	Lee County	Lee County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 776-0506	571	39	14.8	—	246 (43.1%)	61 (10.7%)	220 (38.5%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	39 (6.8%)	74	341^st of 1492 public elementary schools	77.1%		65.6	470^th of 1490 public elementary schools	68.5%	129	83.5	77.1	72.1	55.3	63.3	61.3	80.2	98%	2%	$9,213	$1,139	$8,074

Frequently Asked Questions about Highland Elementary

How many students attend Highland Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 854 students attended Highland Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Highland Elementary attend?

Students who attend Highland Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Highland Middle

What district is Highland Elementary in?

Harnett County Schools

Is Highland Elementary a good school?

Highland Elementary ranks 649^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Highland Elementary?

Students at Highland Elementary are 45% White, 28% Hispanic, 18% African American, 7% Two or more races.

Rate Highland Elementary!

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2020–21 through 2025–26 immunization ratesNewOct 19, 2026

2022–23 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

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

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

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.