Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 28323

Zip code 28323 in Bunnlevel, NC, is served by two elementary schools in Harnett County Schools that together form a PK–2 and 3–5 feeder pipeline: Anderson Creek Primary and South Harnett Elementary.

Both schools serve an extremely high-poverty population, with about 97–98% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Anderson Creek Primary (553 students) is the larger school and has a notably higher chronic absenteeism rate of 29.6%, compared with South Harnett Elementary’s 23.5% — a concern because early-grade absences in PK–2 can affect reading and math readiness by 3rd grade. Anderson Creek also spends more per pupil ($10,316 vs. $8,707), yet its attendance challenges remain. Student-to-teacher ratios are nearly identical (~14.5 vs. 14.2). South Harnett Elementary, the only school in the zip code with end-of-grade test scores, is the standout for improvement: its state ranking rose from the 18th percentile in 2023-24 to the 33rd percentile in 2025-26, and it improved in every tested subject and grade. Most notably, 3rd grade math jumped from 34.2% to 51.6% proficient, and 3rd grade reading rose from 29.0% to 45.8%. In the latest year, 5th grade science (65.4%) nearly reached the state average and beat the district by 7.4 points, while 4th and 5th grade reading also surpassed district averages.

If your child is starting in this area, know that Anderson Creek Primary feeds directly into South Harnett Elementary, so the two schools function as one continuous experience. The biggest risk factor is chronic absenteeism at the primary level — even with higher per-pupil spending — which can undermine the strong gains South Harnett is now showing. While Harnett County Schools as a district ranks in the 30th percentile statewide, South Harnett’s recent upward momentum in nearly every grade and subject is a promising sign. For parents, the key takeaway is that this high-poverty elementary pipeline is improving academically, but early-grade attendance deserves close attention to keep that progress on track.