Summary:
Zip code 27552 is home to just one elementary school, Boone Trail Elementary, a PK–5 school in Lillington serving approximately 545 students within Harnett County Schools. Because there is only one school in this area, this summary focuses on how Boone Trail compares with district and state averages to give parents a clear picture of its strengths and challenges.
Boone Trail Elementary serves a very high-poverty community, with 98.7% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, and chronic absenteeism runs at 30.2% — higher than the district’s 26.9% and the state’s 24.2%. Academically, the school shows a notable bright spot in 3rd grade: 71.3% of 3rd graders scored proficient in math, above both the district (64.4%) and state (66.4%). Third grade reading also improved dramatically year-over-year, rising from 31.1% to 52.1%, virtually matching the district average. However, upper-elementary performance is a concern. In 4th and 5th grade, math proficiency sits in the low-to-mid 40s, roughly 17–18 points behind the state, while 5th grade reading is the weakest area at 30.7% proficient versus 55.3% statewide. Fifth grade science is also low at 42.6% compared to 67.7% statewide. Between the most recent school years, 5th grade reading dropped sharply by 12 points, even as other grades held steady or improved.
The school’s statewide rank has been improving — from the 12th percentile three years ago to the 20th percentile now — and the large 3rd grade gains suggest early-grade strategies may be working. Still, Boone Trail remains a one-star school overall, and the key question for parents and leadership is whether that 3rd grade momentum can carry into upper elementary. Reducing chronic absenteeism, which is likely tied to lower reading and science achievement, will be critical. Overall, Boone Trail Elementary shows promising early-grade progress but faces real challenges in sustaining academic growth through 5th grade.
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