Average
#1953 of 2,648 schools in NC
Western Harnett High
High School · Harnett County Schools
10637 NC Hwy 27 West, Lillington, NC 27546
Enrollment
1,343
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,343
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,953 of 2,648
In Lillington
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#15 of 27
Harnett County Schools
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Western Harnett High
High School in Lillington · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Western Harnett Middle
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Independence Academy
2.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Western Harnett High
Western Harnett High is a public high school in Lillington, NC, part of Harnett County Schools. Western Harnett High serves approximately 1,343 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Western Harnett High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,953 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Western Harnett High show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.1 · Average
- District avg 5.4
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Western Harnett High 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.
45% of students at Western Harnett High 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
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Western Harnett High — Students at Western Harnett High score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.1/10.
How Western Harnett High Compares
See how Western Harnett High 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
10637 NC Hwy 27 West, Lillington, NC 27546
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Western Harnett High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County (rated 5.7/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Sanford), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Overhills High (rated 3.8/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Spring Lake), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lillington, see our Lillington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Western Harnett Middle Lillington | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY Broadway | 2.8 mi | — |
| Anderson Creek Academy Spring Lake | 4.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Highland Middle Sanford | 3.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Highland Elementary Sanford | 4.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Boone Trail Elementary Mamers | 4.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Anderson Creek Primary Bunnlevel | 5.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Overhills Middle Spring Lake | 6.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Overhills Elementary Spring Lake | 6.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Overhills High Spring Lake | 6.3 mi | 3.8 |
| South Harnett Elementary Bunnlevel | 5.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Benhaven Elementary Sanford | 5.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Johnsonville Elementary Cameron | 7.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 9.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Lillington-Shawtown Elementary Lillington | 9.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Manchester Elementary Spring Lake | 11.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Spring Lake Middle Spring Lake | 11.6 mi | 4.5 |
| STAR Academy Lillington | 9.9 mi | — |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 10.6 mi | 5.7 |
| William T Brown Elementary Spring Lake | 12.2 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27546 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,781
Median Home Value
$227,000
Median Rent
$1,079/mo
Population
20,802
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
65.4%
Avg Commute
30.7 min
Poverty Rate
21%
Median Age
36.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| North Surry High Mount Airy, NC | 5.1 |
| Rocky Mount High Rocky Mount, NC | 5.1 |
| South Johnston High Four Oaks, NC | 5.1 |
| Charles B Aycock High Pikeville, NC | 5.0 |
| New Bern High New Bern, NC | 5.0 |
| Red Springs High Red Springs, NC | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Western Harnett High
What grades does Western Harnett High serve?
Western Harnett High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Western Harnett High?
Western Harnett High has an enrollment of approximately 1,343 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Western Harnett High?
The student-teacher ratio at Western Harnett High is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Western Harnett High rank in NC?
Western Harnett High ranks #1,953 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Western Harnett High's MySchoolScout rating?
Western Harnett High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Western Harnett High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Western Harnett High has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Western Harnett High a charter school?
No, Western Harnett High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Western Harnett High a Title I school?
No, Western Harnett High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Western Harnett High?
62.3% of students at Western Harnett High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,343
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 73
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Harnett County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.8%
- Phone
- (919) 499-5113
- 4-Year Graduation
- 82.0%
Resources & Links
District
Harnett County Schools- District Enrollment
- 20,033
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,877
- District Rank
- #15 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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