Best Schools in Lillington, North Carolina
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Lillington?
Use this page to compare every school in Lillington 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.
Lillington-shawtown Elementary
Elementary · Harnett County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Western Harnett Middle
Middle · Harnett County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Western Harnett High
High · Harnett County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lillington for 2026 are Lillington-shawtown Elementary (6.4/10), Western Harnett Middle (5.5/10), and Western Harnett High (5.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
4
in this city
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$227,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$227,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Lillington
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lillington-shawtown Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Western Harnett Middle | 5.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Western Harnett High | 5.1 / 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
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $61,781
- Median home value
- $227,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 65%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lillington compares
North Carolina rank
#189 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$62k
91% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Lillington, North Carolina
Lillington, North Carolina is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.7 out of 10, schools in Lillington show moderate performance 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 Lillington is Lillington-shawtown Elementary with a composite score of 6.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Lillington is served by 1 school district: Harnett County Schools. These districts collectively serve 20,033 students.
Lillington's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $61,781. The poverty rate in the area is 21.0%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 678 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 766 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,343 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
| 2 | 23 students · 6th–12th | — |
Schools in Lillington
Lillington, North Carolina · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$61,781
Median Home Value
$227,000
Median Rent
$1,079/mo
Population
20,802
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
65%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
21.0%
Community Profile
Lillington has a median household income of $61,781. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $227,000, with a median rent of $1,079/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
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 Lillington, North Carolina
How many schools are in Lillington, North Carolina?
Lillington has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lillington, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lillington is 5.7 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 Lillington, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Lillington on MySchoolScout is Lillington-shawtown Elementary with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lillington, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lillington on MySchoolScout is Lillington-shawtown Elementary with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Lillington, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Lillington on MySchoolScout is Western Harnett Middle with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best high school in Lillington, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Lillington on MySchoolScout is Western Harnett High with a composite score of 5.1/10.
How many school districts serve Lillington, North Carolina?
Lillington is served by 1 school district: Harnett County Schools.
What is the education level in Lillington, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 26% of adults in Lillington have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lillington, North Carolina?
The median household income in Lillington is approximately $61,781 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lillington, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lillington is 12.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lillington, 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.
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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.