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Very Good

#72 of 404 private schools in NC

Top 18% of private schools

Highlander Academy

School

200 N COLLEGE ST, Red Springs, NC 28377

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NC statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

86

Student-Teacher

7.1:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#40 of 238

About Highlander Academy

Highlander Academy stands out as an exceptional educational institution in Red Springs, serving 86 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This regular public school has earned remarkable recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #12 among North Carolina's 404 schools, placing it in the 97th percentile statewide. With 12 full-time equivalent teachers, Highlander Academy maintains an impressive 7.1:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for highly personalized attention and close mentoring relationships between educators and students.

This intimate learning environment enables teachers to tailor instruction to individual student needs and foster strong academic growth. The school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $34,367 and 12% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite economic challenges in the area, with a poverty rate of 33.1%, Highlander Academy has created an environment where students can thrive academically and reach their full potential.

Red Springs sits on the fringe of an urban area, providing students with access to both small-town community values and broader opportunities. The school's outstanding performance demonstrates its commitment to excellence and its ability to help students succeed regardless of their background, making it a beacon of educational achievement in Robeson County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 86 students, Highlander Academy 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, Highlander Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Highlander Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$3,192
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$3,145
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.99x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
17%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$260,259

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 86 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Highlander Academy compares to the 4 public schools in Red Springs, NC

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.1:1
This School
vs
15.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
86
This School
vs
577
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.4
This School
vs
4.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 29.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 12.8% vs 0%
Black 5.8% vs 0%
Highlander Academy Red Springs Public Avg

All Schools in Red Springs

School Rating
Highlander Academy (this school) 7.4
Red Springs Middle 4.5
Red Springs High 4.4
Peterson Elementary 6.4
Hawk Eye Elementary 4.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NC.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,190
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 60%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 5.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 86
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in NC

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Native American 48.8%
White 29.1%
Hispanic 12.8%
Black 5.8%
Two or More 3.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

200 N COLLEGE ST, Red Springs, NC 28377

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlander Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Sandy Grove Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Lumber Bridge), which scores notably higher. Another option is Prospect Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Maxton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Oxendine Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Maxton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Red Springs, see our Red Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Red Springs Middle Red Springs 0.5 mi 4.5
Red Springs High Red Springs 0.6 mi 4.4
Peterson Elementary Red Springs 0.8 mi 6.4
Oxendine Elementary Maxton 4.7 mi 8.0
Rex-Rennert Elementary Shannon 5.3 mi 7.4
MOUNT ZION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pembroke 6.6 mi
Prospect Elementary Maxton 6.7 mi 8.2
Union Chapel Elementary Pembroke 7.7 mi 7.9
Hawk Eye Elementary Red Springs 8.4 mi 4.2
Old Main STREAM Academy Pembroke 9.1 mi 6.2
CIS Academy Lumberton 9.2 mi 6.6
Purnell Swett High Pembroke 9.3 mi 3.2
Pembroke Elementary Pembroke 9.9 mi 7.1
Pembroke Middle Pembroke 10.0 mi 5.2
Sandy Grove Elementary Lumber Bridge 10.0 mi 8.7
Sandy Grove Middle Lumber Bridge 10.1 mi 3.3
SandHoke Early College High Raeford 11.1 mi 7.6
Don D Steed Elementary Raeford 11.4 mi 7.5
Hoke County High Raeford 11.2 mi 2.8
Scurlock Elementary Raeford 11.7 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28377 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,892

Median Home Value

$88,900

Median Rent

$665/mo

Population

11,188

College Educated

12.8%

Homeownership

68.8%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

34%

Median Age

34

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highlander Academy has a median household income of $34,892. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $88,900, with a median rent of $665/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL New Bern, NC 7.4
THE TRILOGY SCHOOL Raleigh, NC 7.4
HAYWORTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL High Point, NC 7.5
WORD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spindale, NC 7.5
THE PIEDMONT SCHOOL High Point, NC 7.3
THE JOHN CROSLAND SCHOOL Charlotte, NC 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highlander Academy

What grades does Highlander Academy serve?

Highlander Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Highlander Academy?

Highlander Academy has an enrollment of approximately 86 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlander Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Highlander Academy is 7.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Highlander Academy rank in NC?

Highlander Academy is ranked #72 out of 404 private schools in NC.

What is Highlander Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlander Academy 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.

Is Highlander Academy a private school?

Yes, Highlander Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Highlander Academy a religious school?

No, Highlander Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,252/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
86
Gender Split
52% M / 48% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Fringe Town
County
ROBESON
Data Year
2022–2023

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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