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Average

#1998 of 2,648 schools in NC

South Harnett Elementary

Elementary School · Harnett County Schools

8335 NC 210 South, Bunnlevel, NC 28323

Enrollment

434

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

5.0

Grades

3rd – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,998 of 2,648

In Bunnlevel

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#16 of 27

Harnett County Schools

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South Harnett Elementary

5.0/10

Elementary School in Bunnlevel · grades 3rd – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Anderson Creek Primary

5.9/10

1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Anderson Creek Academy

8.2/10

4.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South Harnett Elementary

South Harnett Elementary is a public elementary school in Bunnlevel, NC, part of Harnett County Schools. South Harnett Elementary serves approximately 434 students, and covers grades 3rd-5th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. South Harnett Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,998 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for South Harnett Elementary show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

South Harnett 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.

36% of students at South Harnett 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 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.5% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-22.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.2 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,877
Chronic Absenteeism36.4%

South Harnett Elementary — Students at South Harnett Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 40.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 35 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
66%
ELA
58%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
61%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
64%
2012
Math
33%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
33%
ELA
33%
2014
Math
36%
ELA
36%
2015
Math
36%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
29%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
29%
ELA
35%
2020*
Math
28%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
35.3%
2025
Math
41.5%
ELA
38.4%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How South Harnett Elementary Compares

See how South Harnett Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
25th percentile in NC
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
5.3/10
Average
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

8335 NC 210 South, Bunnlevel, NC 28323

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Harnett Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Anderson Creek Academy (rated 8.2/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Spring Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Long Hill Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Fayetteville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Highland Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Sanford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bunnlevel, see our Bunnlevel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Anderson Creek Primary Bunnlevel 1.7 mi 5.9
Anderson Creek Academy Spring Lake 4.8 mi 8.2
Overhills Elementary Spring Lake 5.3 mi 5.3
Overhills Middle Spring Lake 5.4 mi 4.8
Overhills High Spring Lake 5.6 mi 3.8
Western Harnett High Lillington 5.5 mi 5.1
Raleigh Road Elementary Linden 6.3 mi 5.6
Western Harnett Middle Lillington 5.9 mi 5.5
Lillington-Shawtown Elementary Lillington 7.3 mi 6.4
NORTHVIEW BAPTIST ACADEMY Fayetteville 7.6 mi 6.4
Boone Trail Elementary Mamers 7.7 mi 5.8
Pine Forest Middle Fayetteville 8.4 mi 5.4
STAR Academy Lillington 8.0 mi
Long Hill Elementary Fayetteville 9.5 mi 7.3
Howard L Hall Elementary Fayetteville 9.8 mi 6.2
INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY Broadway 8.1 mi
Pine Forest High Fayetteville 9.9 mi 6.1
Highland Middle Sanford 8.1 mi 6.2
Manchester Elementary Spring Lake 9.7 mi 5.9
Highland Elementary Sanford 8.3 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28323 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,538

Median Home Value

$211,800

Median Rent

$992/mo

Population

4,864

College Educated

19.2%

Homeownership

76.9%

Avg Commute

31.7 min

Poverty Rate

14.3%

Median Age

33.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw, NC 5.0
Central Elementary Jackson, NC 5.0
Cooper Academy Clayton, NC 5.0
Dudley Shoals Elementary Granite Falls, NC 5.0
Durant Road Elementary Raleigh, NC 5.0
Guilford Preparatory Academy Greensboro, NC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Harnett Elementary

What grades does South Harnett Elementary serve?

South Harnett Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend South Harnett Elementary?

South Harnett Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 434 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Harnett Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at South Harnett Elementary is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Harnett Elementary rank in NC?

South Harnett Elementary ranks #1,998 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is South Harnett Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

South Harnett Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 South Harnett Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Harnett Elementary has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is South Harnett Elementary a charter school?

No, South Harnett Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Harnett Elementary a Title I school?

No, South Harnett Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Harnett Elementary?

99.3% of students at South Harnett 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Harnett County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.4%

District

Harnett County Schools
District Enrollment
20,033
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,877
District Rank
#16 of 27

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