Very Good
#774 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 29% in state
Harnett County Early College
High School · Harnett County Schools
660 E Johnson St, Dunn, NC 28334
Enrollment
171
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
171
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – UG
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dunn
#2 of 7
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#44 of 579
In district
#5 of 27
Harnett County Schools
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Harnett County Early College
Harnett County Early College stands out as an exceptional educational opportunity in Dunn, North Carolina, serving 171 students from 9th grade through undergraduate level. This innovative public school model allows high school students to simultaneously earn college credits, providing a unique pathway to higher education. With 8 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio, the school creates an intimate learning environment that clearly supports student success.
The academic results are impressive, with the school earning an 8.3/10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #155 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 94th percentile statewide. Students demonstrate remarkable proficiency with 98% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 94% achieving proficiency in mathematics. These outstanding outcomes reflect the school's focused approach to preparing students for both high school graduation and college readiness.
Located at 660 E Johnson Street in the heart of Dunn, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $49,536 and 16% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. This town setting provides students with a supportive community environment while they pursue their accelerated academic journey toward college completion.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 171 students, Harnett County Early College is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Harnett County Early College is 21.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Harnett County Early College — Students at Harnett County Early College score 97% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 5 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.6/10.
How Harnett County Early College Compares
See how Harnett County Early College performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 69.5% (2019) to 96.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 90% (2019) to 98.2% (2025).
Location
660 E Johnson St, Dunn, NC 28334
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harnett County Early College may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Midway High (rated 4.8/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Newton Grove), a more accessible option. Another option is South Johnston High (rated 4.2/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Four Oaks), a more accessible option. Additionally, Triton High (rated 4.0/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Erwin), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dunn, see our Dunn schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BROOKSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dunn | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Dunn Elementary Dunn | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Dunn Middle Dunn | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| FAITH EDUCATION ACADEMY Dunn | 3.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Triton High Erwin | 4.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Erwin Elementary Erwin | 4.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Coats-Erwin Middle Dunn | 5.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Plain View Elementary Dunn | 6.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Benson Elementary Benson | 6.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Benson Middle Benson | 6.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Coats Elementary Coats | 7.7 mi | 4.8 |
| FALCON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Falcon | 8.4 mi | 8.4 |
| South Johnston High Four Oaks | 8.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Meadow School Benson | 8.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Midway Middle Dunn | 10.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Buies Creek Elementary Buies Creek | 10.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Midway Elementary Dunn | 11.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Midway High Newton Grove | 11.8 mi | 4.8 |
| District No 7 Elementary Wade | 12.6 mi | 6.6 |
| McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier | 14.1 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28334 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,527
Median Home Value
$171,300
Median Rent
$826/mo
Population
22,393
College Educated
17.6%
Homeownership
70.4%
Avg Commute
27.4 min
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Median Age
43.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harnett County Early College has a median household income of $54,527. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,300, with a median rent of $826/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Anson Co. Early College High Polkton, NC | 7.4 |
| Vance Co Early College Henderson, NC | 7.4 |
| Bladen Early College Dublin, NC | 7.5 |
| Hiwassee Dam High Murphy, NC | 7.5 |
| Merancas Middle College-CPCC Huntersville, NC | 7.5 |
| Stanly STEM Early College Albemarle, NC | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harnett County Early College
What grades does Harnett County Early College serve?
Harnett County Early College serves students in grades 9th through UG.
How many students attend Harnett County Early College?
Harnett County Early College has an enrollment of approximately 171 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harnett County Early College?
The student-teacher ratio at Harnett County Early College is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harnett County Early College rank in NC?
Harnett County Early College is ranked #774 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Harnett County Early College's MySchoolScout rating?
Harnett County Early College has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Harnett County Early College?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harnett County Early College has 78.5% math proficiency and 94.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harnett County Early College a charter school?
No, Harnett County Early College is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harnett County Early College a Title I school?
No, Harnett County Early College is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harnett County Early College?
41.5% of students at Harnett County Early College qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – UG
- Enrollment
- 171
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Harnett County
- Phone
- (910) 814-3470
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harnett County Schools- District Enrollment
- 20,033
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,877
- District Rank
- #5 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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