Average
#1192 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 45% in state
Highland Elementary
Elementary School · Harnett County Schools
1915 Buffalo Lake Road, Sanford, NC 27330
Enrollment
894
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
894
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,192 of 2,648
In Sanford
#8 of 19
public schools
In district
#5 of 27
Harnett County Schools
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Highland Elementary
Elementary School in Sanford · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Highland Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Independence Academy
2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highland Elementary
Highland Elementary is a public elementary school in Sanford, NC, part of Harnett County Schools. Highland Elementary serves approximately 894 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,192 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 5.9
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Highland 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.
31% of students at Highland Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highland Elementary — Students at Highland Elementary score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.9/10.
How Highland Elementary Compares
See how Highland Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Anderson Creek Academy (rated 8.2/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Spring Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Benhaven Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Johnsonville Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Cameron), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.2 |
| INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY Broadway | 2.0 mi | — |
| Benhaven Elementary Sanford | 3.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Johnsonville Elementary Cameron | 3.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Western Harnett Middle Lillington | 3.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Western Harnett High Lillington | 4.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Anderson Creek Academy Spring Lake | 4.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Overhills Middle Spring Lake | 5.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Overhills High Spring Lake | 5.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Overhills Elementary Spring Lake | 5.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Anderson Creek Primary Bunnlevel | 7.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Boone Trail Elementary Mamers | 8.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 10.1 mi | 4.7 |
| South Harnett Elementary Bunnlevel | 8.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 10.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Manchester Elementary Spring Lake | 10.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Spring Lake Middle Spring Lake | 10.4 mi | 4.5 |
| William T Brown Elementary Spring Lake | 11.0 mi | 4.4 |
| East Lee Middle Sanford | 11.4 mi | 4.3 |
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 11.0 mi | 6.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Mooresville Intermediate Mooresville, NC | 6.6 |
| Idlewild Elementary Charlotte, NC | 6.6 |
| Mooresville Intermediate Mooresville, NC | 6.6 |
| New Century International Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 6.6 |
| Northeast Elementary Pikeville, NC | 6.6 |
| Rocky River Elementary Concord, NC | 6.6 |
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 ranks #1,192 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Highland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Highland Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elementary has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.2%
- Phone
- (919) 499-2200
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
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