Average
#1402 of 2,648 schools in NC
Highland Middle
Middle School · Harnett County Schools
345 Highland School Rd, Sanford, NC 27332
Enrollment
803
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
803
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,402 of 2,648
In Sanford
#12 of 19
public schools
In district
#9 of 27
Harnett County Schools
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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Highland Middle
Middle School in Sanford · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Highland Elementary
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Independence Academy
2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highland Middle
Highland Middle is a public middle school in Sanford, NC, part of Harnett County Schools. Highland Middle serves approximately 803 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,402 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Highland Middle show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- District avg 5.1
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Highland Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Highland Middle 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.
42% of students at Highland Middle 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 Middle — Students at Highland Middle score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 26 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: 9.3/10.
How Highland Middle Compares
See how Highland Middle 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
345 Highland School Rd, Sanford, NC 27332
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Western Harnett Middle (rated 5.5/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Lillington), with a comparable rating. Another option is Overhills Middle (rated 4.8/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Spring Lake), a more accessible option. Additionally, Spring Lake Middle (rated 4.5/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Spring Lake), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sanford, see our Sanford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highland Elementary Sanford | 0.2 mi | 6.6 |
| INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY Broadway | 2.1 mi | — |
| Benhaven Elementary Sanford | 3.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Western Harnett Middle Lillington | 3.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Johnsonville Elementary Cameron | 3.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Western Harnett High Lillington | 3.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Anderson Creek Academy Spring Lake | 4.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Overhills Middle Spring Lake | 5.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Overhills High Spring Lake | 5.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Overhills Elementary Spring Lake | 5.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Anderson Creek Primary Bunnlevel | 7.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Boone Trail Elementary Mamers | 8.3 mi | 5.8 |
| South Harnett Elementary Bunnlevel | 8.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 10.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Manchester Elementary Spring Lake | 10.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Spring Lake Middle Spring Lake | 10.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 10.2 mi | 5.7 |
| William T Brown Elementary Spring Lake | 10.8 mi | 4.4 |
| East Lee Middle Sanford | 11.6 mi | 4.3 |
| J Glenn Edwards Elementary Sanford | 11.2 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27332 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,075
Median Home Value
$224,000
Median Rent
$1,086/mo
Population
34,378
College Educated
22.9%
Homeownership
74.7%
Avg Commute
29.5 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
40
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Asheville Middle Asheville, NC | 6.2 |
| Cedar Creek Middle Youngsville, NC | 6.2 |
| Central Davidson Middle Lexington, NC | 6.2 |
| Lufkin Road Middle Apex, NC | 6.2 |
| Mooresville Middle Mooresville, NC | 6.2 |
| Mount Pleasant Middle Mount Pleasant, NC | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Middle
What grades does Highland Middle serve?
Highland Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Highland Middle?
Highland Middle has an enrollment of approximately 803 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Middle is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Middle rank in NC?
Highland Middle ranks #1,402 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Highland Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Middle has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).
Is Highland Middle a charter school?
No, Highland Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Middle a Title I school?
No, Highland Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Middle?
65.3% of students at Highland Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 803
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Harnett County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.5%
- Phone
- (919) 498-3331
Resources & Links
District
Harnett County Schools- District Enrollment
- 20,033
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,877
- District Rank
- #9 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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