6.5 avg / 10

Best Schools in Southern Pines, North Carolina

7 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 High · 1 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 4

Private: 3

Districts: 2

Avg Rating: 6.5/10

Estimated Scores: 43%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 6.5/10
Median household income: $73,587
Median home value: $366,600
Bachelor's degree or higher: 53%
Avg commute: 24 min
Owner-occupied homes: 57%

How Southern Pines compares

North Carolina rank

#88 of 253

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

+0.1

above North Carolina avg (6.4)

Median household income

$74k

108% of North Carolina median

Schools in this city

7

About Schools in Southern Pines, North Carolina

Southern Pines, North Carolina is home to 7 schools, including 4 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, , and 1 high school.

With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Southern Pines show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Southern Pines is Mcdeeds Creek Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Southern Pines is served by 2 school districts: Moore Montessori Community School, Moore County Schools. These districts collectively serve 13,224 students.

Southern Pines's community shows 53% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $73,587. The poverty rate in the area is 11.7%.

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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (7) Elementary (5) High (1)

Filter by Type: All Types (7) Public (4) Private (3)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (7) Academics (7) Growth (4) Diversity (4) Resources (4)

Filter by ZIP: 28387 (6)

Elementary Schools

5 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	McDeeds Creek Elementary 660 students · Kindergarten–5th	660	Kindergarten–5th	8.1
2	Southern Pines Elementary 590 students · Pre-K–5th	590	Pre-K–5th	7.7
3	Moore Montessori Community School 234 students · Kindergarten–7th	234	Kindergarten–7th	4.5
Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Private 202 students · Pre-K–8th	202	Pre-K–8th	Not Rated
2	EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Private 149 students · Pre-K–5th	149	Pre-K–5th	Not Rated

High Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Pinecrest High 2,310 students · 9th–12th	2,310	9th–12th	5.5

Other Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	THE O'NEAL SCHOOL Private 489 students · Pre-K–12th	489	Pre-K–12th	Not Rated

Schools in Southern Pines

Southern Pines, North Carolina · 7 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$73,587

Median Home Value

$366,600

Median Rent

$1,137/mo

Population

15,643

College Educated

53%

Homeownership

57%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Community Profile

Southern Pines has a median household income of $73,587. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $366,600, with a median rent of $1,137/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: North Carolina
Total Schools: 7
Elementary: 5
High: 1
Districts: 2
Avg Rating: 6.5/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Southern Pines schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Southern Pines 📊 Niche Southern Pines Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (2)

Moore Montessori Community School

1 school · 234 students

Moore County Schools

23 schools · 12,990 students

Nearby Cities

Whispering Pines (1 school)

Lemon Springs (1 school)

Laurel Hill (2 schools)

27 mi

Other Major Cities in North Carolina

Top metros statewide by school count.

Charlotte 225 schools Raleigh 138 schools Greensboro 95 schools Durham 94 schools Fayetteville 85 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Southern Pines, North Carolina

How many schools are in Southern Pines, North Carolina?

Southern Pines has 7 schools, including 4 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Southern Pines, North Carolina?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Southern Pines is 6.5 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Southern Pines, North Carolina?

The top-ranked school in Southern Pines on MySchoolScout is Mcdeeds Creek Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10.

What is the best elementary school in Southern Pines, North Carolina?

The top-ranked elementary school in Southern Pines on MySchoolScout is Mcdeeds Creek Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10.

What is the best high school in Southern Pines, North Carolina?

The top-ranked high school in Southern Pines on MySchoolScout is Pinecrest High with a composite score of 5.5/10.

How many school districts serve Southern Pines, North Carolina?

Southern Pines is served by 2 school districts: Moore Montessori Community School, Moore County Schools.

What is the education level in Southern Pines, North Carolina?

According to Census data, 53% of adults in Southern Pines have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Southern Pines, North Carolina?

The median household income in Southern Pines is approximately $73,587 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Southern Pines, North Carolina?

Yes, Southern Pines has 3 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is The O'neal School with a score of 7.1/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Southern Pines, North Carolina?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Southern Pines is 14.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Southern Pines, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.