Best Public Schools in Zip Code 28387

Zip code 28387 in Southern Pines, NC, has three public schools that together serve about 3,256 students in grades K–12: Pinecrest High (9–12), McDeeds Creek Elementary (K–5), and Moore Montessori Community School (K–8). The first two belong to Moore County Schools; the third is unusual, because it also operates as its own public school district and is the only school in the zip code serving middle grades.

McDeeds Creek Elementary is the area's standout academic school. Rated 5 stars, it places in the 90th percentile of North Carolina elementary schools—well above Moore Montessori Community School, whose elementary rank climbed from the 57th to the 72nd percentile over three years. McDeeds Creek students outperform the Moore County Schools district and the state in nearly every grade and subject. For example, 90.3% of its 3rd graders are proficient in math versus 66.4% statewide, and even its lowest 2025–2026 score—72.4% on 5th-grade reading—tops the state by about 17 points. Moore Montessori Community School has made big recent gains, especially in reading, although its very small classes mean scores can swing from year to year. It also has the best attendance in the area (8.4% chronic absenteeism versus 24.2% statewide) and the best student-to-teacher ratio at 15.5 to 1.

Pinecrest High serves the majority of students in the zip code and posts a 92.1% graduation rate, above the district (91.8%) and the state (88.8%). It also beats state averages on End-of-Course exams in Biology, English II, and Math III, with the widest edge in Biology. The biggest caution flag is Math I: 46.2% proficiency is below the district average of 50.3%, and the weakness has persisted across recent years. Overall, families have distinct choices: McDeeds Creek Elementary for top-tier academics, Moore Montessori Community School for a small, well-attended K–8 environment, and Pinecrest High for a large high school with an excellent graduation rate.