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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.9Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency96.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency98.2%
Math vs. State Avg+40.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+44.6 pts
Overall Proficiency97%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+35.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,026

Harnett County Early College — Students at Harnett County Early College score 97% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.5%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 94.1%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 5 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
69.5%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
69.5%
2025
Math
96.5%
ELA
98.2%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
71th percentile in NC
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,023/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dunn). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harnett County Schools
District Enrollment
20,033
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,877
District Rank
#5 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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