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
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
Enrollment
86
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Highlander Academy compares to the 4 public schools in Red Springs, NC
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (910) 843-4995
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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