Photo: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC · CC BY-SA 2.0Dunn’s public schools score below 64% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
38% of students in Dunn’s public schools are proficient in math, below the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Dunn, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Dunn’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 282 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Dunn’s, its schools beat 31%, lower than their 36% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 38% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $10,916 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Dunn Middle, then Harnett County Early College. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Brookside Christian Academy (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Dunn’s grade
C+: better than 36% of North Carolina school districts, #240 of 290 North Carolina towns. Graduation is above the North Carolina average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dunn, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Dunn
Dunn Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 813 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Dunn
Dunn Middle
Grades 6–8 · 388 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Dunn
Dunn Middle
Grades 6–8 · 388 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Dunn
Dunn Middle
Grades 6–8 · 388 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Dunn
Harnett County Early College
Grades 9–12 · 185 students · 34:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Dunn
Harnett County Early College
Grades 9–12 · 185 students · 34:1 students per teacher
Dunn’s public schools are run by Harnett County Schools, which also serves Angier, Coats, Erwin and Lillington. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Dunn vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Dunn’s borders.
Every school in Dunn
4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Dunn’s schools
Are Dunn’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Dunn children attend score below 64% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #240 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 31%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Dunn in?
Harnett County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 20,095 students in 29 schools (2024–25).
Where do Dunn kids go to high school?
Harnett County Early College, with 185 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Dunn’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Harnett County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Dunn spend per student?
$10,916 in Harnett County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Dunn?
Yes: Brookside Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 224 students).
Parents talk
What Dunn families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dunn → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.