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Excellent

#158 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 6% in state

Highfalls Elementary

Elementary School · Moore County Schools

1220 NC Hwy 22, Bennett, NC 27208

Enrollment

274

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

8.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#158 of 2,648

In Bennett

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#3 of 22

Moore County Schools

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Highfalls Elementary

8.7/10

Elementary School in Bennett · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

North Moore High

7.1/10

2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bennett School

8.9/10

5.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highfalls Elementary

Highfalls Elementary is a public elementary school in Bennett, NC, part of Moore County Schools. Highfalls Elementary serves approximately 274 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Highfalls Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #158 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Highfalls Elementary show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.5
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Highfalls Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency61% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+8.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.4 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,374
Chronic Absenteeism15.7%

Highfalls Elementary — Students at Highfalls Elementary score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 57.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 42 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
46%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
68.8%
ELA
58.7%
2025
Math
71.1%
ELA
61.4%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Highfalls Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.7/10
94th percentile in NC
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1220 NC Hwy 22, Bennett, NC 27208

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highfalls Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bennett School (rated 8.9/10, 5.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is West End Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby West End), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Carthage Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Carthage), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bennett, see our Bennett schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.5 mi
School Distance Rating
North Moore High Robbins 2.2 mi 7.1
Bennett School Bennett 5.4 mi 8.9
Elise Middle Robbins 5.1 mi 5.2
Robbins Elementary Robbins 5.4 mi 6.4
Westmoore Elementary Seagrove 9.2 mi 7.5
The Community Learning Center @ Pinckney Carthage 11.5 mi 4.9
Carthage Elementary Carthage 11.7 mi 7.9
Coleridge Elementary School Ramseur 12.2 mi 5.9
Chatham Central High Bear Creek 11.6 mi 7.2
Chatham County Schools Virtual Academy Bear Creek 11.6 mi
Bonlee School Bonlee 12.3 mi 5.5
J S Waters School Goldston 13.7 mi 7.6
New Century Middle Cameron 14.7 mi 7.1
West End Elementary West End 16.0 mi 8.9
Chatham Middle Siler City 15.8 mi 6.5
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Carthage 14.9 mi 5.1
Virginia Cross Elementary Siler City 16.3 mi 6.9
Siler City Elementary Siler City 16.7 mi 6.9
Union Pines High Cameron 15.3 mi 7.1
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ramseur 16.5 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,333

Median Home Value

$167,800

Population

1,615

College Educated

19.8%

Homeownership

87.2%

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

46.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Mountain Park Elementary State Road, NC 8.7
Perry W Harrison Elementary Pittsboro, NC 8.7
W Jesse Gurganus Elementary Havelock, NC 8.7
Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville, NC 8.6
Wilmington School of the Arts Wilmington, NC 8.6
Mangum Elementary Bahama, NC 8.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highfalls Elementary

What grades does Highfalls Elementary serve?

Highfalls Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Highfalls Elementary?

Highfalls Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highfalls Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Highfalls Elementary is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highfalls Elementary rank in NC?

Highfalls Elementary ranks #158 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Highfalls Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highfalls Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Highfalls Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highfalls Elementary has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Highfalls Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Highfalls Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

54.4% of students at Highfalls 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Moore County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.7%

District

Moore County Schools
District Enrollment
12,990
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,374
District Rank
#3 of 22

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