Highland Elementary School

1915 Buffalo Lake Road
Sanford, NC 27330
(School attendance zone shown in map)
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 891 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Highland Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 36% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 43% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 891 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 52%
  • : Bottom 50% in NC
  • : 36% (Btm 50%)
  • : 43% (Btm 50%)
  • : 45-49% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

School Overview

Highland Elementary School's student population of 891 students has declined by 13% over five school years.
The teacher population of 62 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
Total Students
891 students
This chart displays total students of Highland Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Highland Elementary School
Total Classroom Teachers
62 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Highland Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Highland Elementary School by grade.

School Rankings

Highland Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Highland Elementary School is 0.68, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (NC)
#1778 out of 2617 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Highland Elementary School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
36%
51%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Highland Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
43%
50%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Highland Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
45-49%
63%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Highland Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Highland Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Highland Elementary School and percentage of American Indian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2019-20 school year data.
Asian
1%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Highland Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
23%
20%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Highland Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
18%
25%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Highland Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
48%
44%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Highland Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
9%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Highland Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Highland Elementary School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in North Carolina.
0.68
This chart displays the diversity score of Highland Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
49%
57%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Highland Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Highland Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Highland Elementary School's ranking?
Highland Elementary School is ranked #1778 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
36% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 43% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
How many students attend Highland Elementary School?
891 students attend Highland Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
48% of Highland Elementary School students are White, 23% of students are Hispanic, 18% of students are Black, 9% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Highland Elementary School?
Highland Elementary School has a student ration of 14:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does Highland Elementary School offer ?
Highland Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5
What school district is Highland Elementary School part of?
Highland Elementary School is part of Harnett County Schools School District.

School Reviews

5   7/19/2016
i was told that sports/karate was offered after school at the school before we moved to nc was told later after child was in school no such activities at the school/ was disappointed with school information
- Posted by Parent - dbwhi
2   9/26/2007
I have had children at Highland Elementary since it first opened and have not been happy with the progress...it seems to be going down hill every year. The staff is rude....the teachers do not care about the children like they claim. Their solution to a child not learning is blaming it on the child not willing to learn and reataining them year after year. The class size is too big of almost 30 students to pay adequate attention to any child falling behind. They do not offer any kind of Tutoring for younger children below 3rd grade....and do not teach at grade level. They have failed to make the No School Left Behind Grade for two years in a row and you can bet that now I have to chance to move my children to a different school.... I am moving them ASAP and giving another school the chance to teach my children what Highland Elementary could not.
- Posted by Parent - westp

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 891 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 52%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 36% (Btm 50%)
  • : 43% (Btm 50%)
  • : 45-49% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

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