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Very Good

#844 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 32% in state

Benhaven Elementary

Elementary School · Harnett County Schools

520 Olive Farm Dr, Sanford, NC 27332

Enrollment

1,031

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sanford

#7 of 19

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#692 of 1,474

In district

#6 of 27

Harnett County Schools

Academic performance

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Benhaven Elementary

Benhaven Elementary serves 1,031 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Sanford, North Carolina. This sizable public elementary school maintains a manageable 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio with 68 full-time equivalent teachers, creating opportunities for meaningful student-teacher connections despite its larger enrollment. Academically, Benhaven Elementary demonstrates solid performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks in the 69th percentile among North Carolina elementary schools at #831 out of 2,661 schools statewide.

Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 72% achieving proficient or above levels, while 59% reach proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. These results reflect steady academic achievement that positions students well for their continued educational journey. The school draws families from a stable community where the median household income reaches $71,554 and median home values sit at $199,700.

With a relatively low poverty rate of 10.4% and nearly a quarter of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the surrounding area provides a supportive environment for education. Benhaven Elementary operates in Harnett County's rural setting on Olive Farm Drive, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to quality educational resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Benhaven Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59%
Math vs. State Avg+7.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.4 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected+4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,026

Benhaven Elementary — Students at Benhaven Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.1%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 56.2%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
54%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
48%
2025
Math
71.6%
ELA
59.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Benhaven Elementary Compares

See how Benhaven Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
68th percentile in NC
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers

Location

520 Olive Farm Dr, Sanford, NC 27332

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benhaven Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Greenwood Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Lemon Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Johnsonville Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Cameron), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Anderson Creek Academy (rated 8.1/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Spring Lake), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Johnsonville Elementary Cameron 2.6 mi 8.2
Highland Elementary Sanford 3.1 mi 7.2
INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY Broadway 2.9 mi
Highland Middle Sanford 3.3 mi 5.3
Western Harnett Middle Lillington 5.3 mi 5.1
Western Harnett High Lillington 5.7 mi 4.2
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford 7.3 mi 5.4
Broadway Elementary Broadway 8.3 mi 6.8
Anderson Creek Academy Spring Lake 7.2 mi 8.1
Greenwood Elementary Lemon Springs 7.2 mi 9.1
J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford 8.1 mi 6.7
CALVARY EDUCATION CENTER Sanford 7.5 mi 6.3
East Lee Middle Sanford 8.9 mi 4.9
MINA Charter School of Lee County Sanford 8.9 mi 7.3
Southern Lee High School Sanford 9.0 mi 3.8
Overhills Middle Spring Lake 8.8 mi 4.7
Overhills High Spring Lake 8.9 mi 3.6
SanLee Middle School Sanford 9.2 mi 7.5
Overhills Elementary Spring Lake 9.0 mi 7.5
Boone Trail Elementary Mamers 8.7 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27332 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,075

Median Home Value

$224,000

Median Rent

$1,086/mo

Population

34,378

College Educated

22.9%

Homeownership

74.7%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

40

Community Profile

The community surrounding Benhaven Elementary has a median household income of $73,075. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,000, with a median rent of $1,086/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ballantyne Elementary Charlotte, NC 7.3
Barnette Elementary Huntersville, NC 7.3
Coastal Elementary Holly Ridge, NC 7.3
Cox Mill Elementary Concord, NC 7.3
Elizabeth Lane Elementary Matthews, NC 7.3
Holly Ridge Elementary Holly Springs, NC 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benhaven Elementary

What grades does Benhaven Elementary serve?

Benhaven Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Benhaven Elementary?

Benhaven Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 1,031 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benhaven Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Benhaven Elementary is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benhaven Elementary rank in NC?

Benhaven Elementary is ranked #844 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Benhaven Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Benhaven Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Benhaven Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benhaven Elementary has 65.1% math proficiency and 56.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Benhaven Elementary a charter school?

No, Benhaven Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Benhaven Elementary a Title I school?

No, Benhaven Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benhaven Elementary?

44.8% of students at Benhaven Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,237/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,031
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Harnett County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harnett County Schools
District Enrollment
20,033
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,877
District Rank
#6 of 27

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

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