Best Schools in Harrisburg, North Carolina
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Harrisburg?
Use this page to compare every school in Harrisburg by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Hickory Ridge Elementary
Elementary · Cabarrus County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Harrisburg Elementary
Elementary · Cabarrus County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
A.c.e. Academy
Elementary · A.c.e. Academy. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Harrisburg for 2026 are Hickory Ridge Elementary (9.1/10), Harrisburg Elementary (8.6/10), and A.c.e. Academy (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
8.1
out of 10
Median Home
$444,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
8.1
out of 10
Median Home
$444,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Harrisburg
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hickory Ridge Elementary | 9.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Harrisburg Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | A.c.e. Academy | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Hickory Ridge Middle | 7.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Hickory Ridge High | 7.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 8.1/10
- Median household income
- $140,739
- Median home value
- $444,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 55%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 93%
100% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Harrisburg compares
North Carolina rank
#1 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.9
above North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$141k
208% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Harrisburg, North Carolina
Harrisburg, North Carolina is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 8.1 out of 10, schools in Harrisburg perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Harrisburg is Hickory Ridge Elementary with a composite score of 9.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Harrisburg is served by 2 school districts: A.C.E. Academy, Cabarrus County Schools. These districts collectively serve 35,459 students.
Harrisburg's community shows 55% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $140,739. The poverty rate in the area is 4.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,073 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.1 |
| 2 | 847 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.6 |
| 3 | 438 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.8 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 994 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,673 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
Schools in Harrisburg
Harrisburg, North Carolina · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$140,739
Median Home Value
$444,000
Median Rent
$2,257/mo
Population
21,562
College Educated
55%
Homeownership
93%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
4.0%
Community Profile
Harrisburg has a median household income of $140,739. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $444,000, with a median rent of $2,257/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Harrisburg, North Carolina
How many schools are in Harrisburg, North Carolina?
Harrisburg has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Harrisburg, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Harrisburg is 8.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Harrisburg, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Harrisburg on MySchoolScout is Hickory Ridge Elementary with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Harrisburg, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Harrisburg on MySchoolScout is Hickory Ridge Elementary with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Harrisburg, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Harrisburg on MySchoolScout is Hickory Ridge Middle with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Harrisburg, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Harrisburg on MySchoolScout is Hickory Ridge High with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve Harrisburg, North Carolina?
Harrisburg is served by 2 school districts: A.c.e. Academy, Cabarrus County Schools.
What is the education level in Harrisburg, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 55% of adults in Harrisburg have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Harrisburg, North Carolina?
The median household income in Harrisburg is approximately $140,739 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Harrisburg, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Harrisburg is 17.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Harrisburg, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.