Summary:
ZIP code 27506 is served by a single school, Buies Creek Elementary, which enrolls 267 students in grades K-5 as part of Harnett County Schools. The school has a majority low-income population, with nearly 58% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, but it currently holds a 1-star state rating and ranks in the bottom quartile of North Carolina elementary schools, having slipped from the 45th percentile in 2023–2024 to the 25th percentile in 2025–2026.
Academically, Buies Creek Elementary shows a very uneven picture. Third grade is a clear bright spot: math proficiency reached 65.1% in 2025–2026, nearly matching the state average, and reading jumped from 22.4% to 51.2% in just one year. Fifth grade science also remains competitive at 60.5%. However, 4th grade is a serious trouble zone, with only 29.8% of students proficient in math and 27.7% in reading — roughly 30 points below state averages in both subjects. Cohort data suggest this is not simply a weak group; the same students who scored 55.1% in 3rd grade math dropped to 29.8% in 4th grade, while the previous 4th grade class jumped from 31.0% to 58.1% when they reached 5th grade. This points to a grade-level-specific challenge that deserves immediate attention.
Outside of test scores, the school demonstrates one notable strength: chronic absenteeism is just 15.7%, far better than the district’s 26.9% and the state’s 24.2%, despite the high poverty rate. Families should also note that this ZIP code contains no middle or high schools, so all students must transition to schools outside 27506 after 5th grade. Overall, Buies Creek Elementary offers some encouraging signs in early grades and attendance, but the 4th grade slump is the clearest area where parents and school leaders should focus their attention.
Thank you for your feedback!