Average
#2096 of 2,648 schools in NC
Western Harnett Middle
Middle School · Harnett County Schools
11135 NC Hwy 27 West, Lillington, NC 27546
Enrollment
766
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
766
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lillington
#2 of 3
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#359 of 475
In district
#18 of 27
Harnett County Schools
About Western Harnett Middle
Western Harnett Middle serves students in grades 6 through 8 in Lillington, North Carolina, a rural area of Harnett County. The school enrolls 766 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1 with 47 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Western Harnett Middle is working to strengthen student performance.
In English Language Arts, 44% of students score at or above proficiency levels, while in math, 46% meet proficiency benchmarks. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 reflects these developing academic outcomes, placing it in the 22nd percentile statewide among North Carolina schools. Like many schools with room for academic growth, Western Harnett Middle continues to focus on supporting student development and achievement across its curriculum.
As a regular public middle school, Western Harnett serves the Lillington community and surrounding rural areas, providing educational opportunities for young adolescents transitioning through the critical middle school years.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Western Harnett Middle 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Western Harnett Middle — Students at Western Harnett Middle score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 5.4/10.
How Western Harnett Middle Compares
See how Western Harnett Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 50.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 43.4% (2025).
Location
11135 NC Hwy 27 West, Lillington, NC 27546
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Western Harnett Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Spring Lake Middle (rated 6.3/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Spring Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highland Middle (rated 5.3/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Sanford), with a very similar rating. Additionally, East Lee Middle (rated 4.9/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Sanford), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lillington, see our Lillington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Western Harnett High Lillington | 0.4 mi | 4.2 |
| INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY Broadway | 2.4 mi | — |
| Anderson Creek Academy Spring Lake | 4.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Highland Middle Sanford | 3.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Highland Elementary Sanford | 3.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Boone Trail Elementary Mamers | 4.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Anderson Creek Primary Bunnlevel | 5.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Overhills Middle Spring Lake | 6.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Overhills Elementary Spring Lake | 6.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Overhills High Spring Lake | 6.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Benhaven Elementary Sanford | 5.3 mi | 7.3 |
| South Harnett Elementary Bunnlevel | 5.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Johnsonville Elementary Cameron | 6.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway | 8.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Lillington-Shawtown Elementary Lillington | 9.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Manchester Elementary Spring Lake | 11.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford | 10.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Spring Lake Middle Spring Lake | 11.6 mi | 6.3 |
| East Lee Middle Sanford | 11.2 mi | 4.9 |
| STAR Academy Lillington | 10.3 mi | — |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Crestdale Middle Matthews, NC | 5.1 |
| Durant Road Middle Raleigh, NC | 5.1 |
| East Burke Middle Connelly Springs, NC | 5.1 |
| Harnett Central Middle Angier, NC | 5.1 |
| Swain County Middle School Bryson City, NC | 5.1 |
| Wiley Magnet Middle Winston-Salem, NC | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Western Harnett Middle
What grades does Western Harnett Middle serve?
Western Harnett Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Western Harnett Middle?
Western Harnett Middle has an enrollment of approximately 766 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Western Harnett Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Western Harnett Middle is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Western Harnett Middle rank in NC?
Western Harnett Middle is ranked #2096 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Western Harnett Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Western Harnett Middle has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Western Harnett Middle has 45.6% math proficiency and 43.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Western Harnett Middle a charter school?
No, Western Harnett Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Western Harnett Middle a Title I school?
No, Western Harnett Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Western Harnett Middle?
57.3% of students at Western Harnett Middle 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,237/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 766
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Harnett County
- Phone
- (919) 499-4497
- 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
- #18 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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