Below Average
#2412 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
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,343
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lillington
#3 of 3
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#463 of 579
In district
#22 of 27
Harnett County Schools
About Western Harnett High
Western Harnett High serves 1,343 students in grades 9-12 in Lillington, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.4:1 and 73 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #2014 out of 2,661 high schools in North Carolina, placing it in the 24th percentile statewide, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10. Academically, the school has room for growth, with 47% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 40% reach proficiency in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development and academic improvement. Western Harnett High is located in the 27546 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $57,043 and the median home value is $196,000. The surrounding community has a college education rate of 25% for residents with bachelor's degrees or higher, and a poverty rate of 20.3% among the area's 20,534 residents.
The school sits in a rural setting near the town of Lillington in Harnett County, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to educational resources and opportunities in this growing region of North Carolina.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Western Harnett High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Western Harnett High — Students at Western Harnett High score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
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 6 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: 2.9/10.
How Western Harnett High Compares
See how Western Harnett High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 28.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 47.1% (2025).
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 5.4/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Sanford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Overhills High (rated 3.6/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Spring Lake), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.1 |
| INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY Broadway | 2.8 mi | — |
| Anderson Creek Academy Spring Lake | 4.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Highland Middle Sanford | 3.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Highland Elementary Sanford | 4.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Boone Trail Elementary Mamers | 4.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Anderson Creek Primary Bunnlevel | 5.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Overhills Middle Spring Lake | 6.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Overhills Elementary Spring Lake | 6.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Overhills High Spring Lake | 6.3 mi | 3.6 |
| South Harnett Elementary Bunnlevel | 5.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Benhaven Elementary Sanford | 5.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Johnsonville Elementary Cameron | 7.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 9.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Lillington-Shawtown Elementary Lillington | 9.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Manchester Elementary Spring Lake | 11.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Spring Lake Middle Spring Lake | 11.6 mi | 6.3 |
| STAR Academy Lillington | 9.9 mi | — |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 10.6 mi | 5.4 |
| William T Brown Elementary Spring Lake | 12.2 mi | 5.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Western Harnett High has a median household income of $61,781. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $227,000, with a median rent of $1,079/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual School Charlotte, NC | 4.2 |
| East Wake High Wendell, NC | 4.2 |
| Eastern Guilford High Gibsonville, NC | 4.2 |
| Lucy Ragsdale High Jamestown, NC | 4.2 |
| McDowell High School Marion, NC | 4.2 |
| Mount Pleasant High Mount Pleasant, NC | 4.2 |
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 is ranked #2412 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Western Harnett High's MySchoolScout rating?
Western Harnett High has a composite rating of 4.2 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.
What are the test scores at Western Harnett High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Western Harnett High has 39.8% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- Walk Score
- 3 Car-Dependent
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,237/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 499-5113
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harnett County Schools- District Enrollment
- 20,033
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,877
- District Rank
- #22 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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