- Benhaven Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 1,065 students
- Overhills Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 866 students
- Highland Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 854 students
- Dunn Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 813 students
- Lillington-Shawtown Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 695 students
- Northwest Harnett Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 645 students
- Erwin Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 637 students
- Coats Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 633 students
- Anderson Creek Primary — Grades PK–2 · 553 students
- Boone Trail Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 545 students
- Johnsonville Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 489 students
- South Harnett Elementary — Grades 3–5 · 476 students
- Angier Elementary — Grades 3–5 · 376 students
- North Harnett Primary — Grades PK–2 · 329 students
- Buies Creek Elementary — Grades K–5 · 267 students
- LaFayette Elementary — Grades K–5 · 179 students
- Harnett Central Middle — Grades 6–8 · 1,059 students
- Highland Middle — Grades 6–8 · 762 students
- Overhills Middle — Grades 6–8 · 758 students
- Western Harnett Middle — Grades 6–8 · 700 students
- Coats-Erwin Middle — Grades 6–8 · 589 students
- Dunn Middle — Grades 6–8 · 388 students
- Overhills High — Grades 9–12 · 1,981 students
- Harnett Central High — Grades 9–12 · 1,522 students
- Western Harnett High — Grades 9–12 · 1,324 students
- Triton High — Grades 9–12 · 1,274 students
- Harnett County Early College — Grades 9 · 185 students
- Harnett Virtual Academy — Grades K–12 · 100 students
- STAR Academy — Grades 6–12 · 31 students
with district
| Metric | Harnett County Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 20,050 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 28 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $9,660/yr | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 4/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 115 rated districts in NC → 30th percentile → 4/10.
Source: North Carolina Dept. of Public Instruction EOG, grades 3–8 Reading & Math Grade Level Proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Harnett County Schools
Families in zip code 28326 (Harnett, North Carolina) are assigned to Harnett County Schools for public education through 13. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Harnett County Schools spent $9,660 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), 6% below North Carolina’s statewide $10,300 estimate. Of the district’s 2019 graduating cohort of 1,525 students, an estimated 87% earned a diploma within four years (EDFacts adjusted cohort graduation rate).
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 28 schools serving approximately 20,050 students across grades Pre-K – 13, Harnett County Schools is a large district. Contact Harnett County Schools to learn about available programs and services.
Understanding the 4/10 Rating
Harnett County Schools has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 3/10, placing it in the below average tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in North Carolina’s EOG grades 3–8 Reading & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because North Carolina is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Harnett County Schools carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical North Carolina benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 28326
Children in zip code 28326 are assigned to Harnett County Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 13. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 28326, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Harnett County Schools at (910)893-8151 or visit www.harnett.k12.nc.us/. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — North Carolina districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Harnett
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Harnett County Schools serves zip code 28326, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 28326. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In North Carolina, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Harnett County Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 28326.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Harnett County Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 28326 data.