Very Good
#901 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 34% in state
Highland Elementary
Elementary School · Harnett County Schools
1915 Buffalo Lake Road, Sanford, NC 27330
Enrollment
894
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
894
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sanford
#8 of 19
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#735 of 1,474
In district
#7 of 27
Harnett County Schools
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Highland Elementary
Highland Elementary serves 894 students in grades kindergarten through fifth in Sanford, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 across its 62 full-time equivalent teaching staff. The school ranks in the 58th percentile statewide, placing it at #1133 out of 2661 North Carolina elementary schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10. Academically, Highland Elementary shows solid performance in mathematics, with 62% of students achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels, while 53% of students meet proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading.
These results reflect a school with room for continued academic growth as it serves its diverse student body. Located at 1915 Buffalo Lake Road in the 27330 ZIP code area, Highland Elementary operates within a community where the median household income is $58,279 and median home values reach $188,400. The surrounding neighborhood has a 17.2% poverty rate, with 22% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The school sits in a rural setting near the town of Sanford in Harnett County, providing students with a blend of country atmosphere and small-town community connections.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Highland 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
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Highland Elementary — Students at Highland Elementary score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 7.7/10.
How Highland Elementary Compares
See how Highland Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 62% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 52.8% (2025).
Location
1915 Buffalo Lake Road, Sanford, NC 27330
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Johnsonville Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Cameron), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Anderson Creek Academy (rated 8.1/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Spring Lake), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Overhills Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Spring Lake), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highland Middle Sanford | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY Broadway | 2.0 mi | — |
| Benhaven Elementary Sanford | 3.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Johnsonville Elementary Cameron | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Western Harnett Middle Lillington | 3.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Western Harnett High Lillington | 4.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Anderson Creek Academy Spring Lake | 4.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Overhills Middle Spring Lake | 5.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Overhills High Spring Lake | 5.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Overhills Elementary Spring Lake | 5.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Anderson Creek Primary Bunnlevel | 7.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Boone Trail Elementary Mamers | 8.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 10.1 mi | 6.8 |
| South Harnett Elementary Bunnlevel | 8.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 10.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Manchester Elementary Spring Lake | 10.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Spring Lake Middle Spring Lake | 10.4 mi | 6.3 |
| William T Brown Elementary Spring Lake | 11.0 mi | 5.4 |
| East Lee Middle Sanford | 11.4 mi | 4.9 |
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 11.0 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27330 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,726
Median Home Value
$213,000
Median Rent
$966/mo
Population
41,473
College Educated
23.1%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Elementary has a median household income of $60,726. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,000, with a median rent of $966/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Carolina Charter Academy Angier, NC | 7.2 |
| Estes Elementary Asheville, NC | 7.2 |
| Guilford Preparatory Academy Greensboro, NC | 7.2 |
| Kimmel Farm Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 7.2 |
| Mountain View Elementary Morganton, NC | 7.2 |
| Olde Providence Elementary Charlotte, NC | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Elementary
What grades does Highland Elementary serve?
Highland Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Highland Elementary?
Highland Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 894 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Elementary rank in NC?
Highland Elementary is ranked #901 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Highland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Highland Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Elementary has 54.0% math proficiency and 50.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Elementary a charter school?
No, Highland Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Elementary a Title I school?
No, Highland Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Elementary?
54.8% of students at Highland 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 894
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 62
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Harnett County
- Phone
- (919) 499-2200
- 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
- #7 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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