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Harrisburg ncPhoto: Harrisburg_11 · CC BY 2.0
B+
Schools in Harrisburg · Cabarrus County Schools

Harrisburg’s public schools outscore 73% of North Carolina districts

Math proficiency in Harrisburg’s districts is 62%, above the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Harrisburg, 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.

#37of 290 North Carolina townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
58%
▲ 8 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
62%
▲ 11 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
89%
▲ 2 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.0K
▼ 15% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.4
NC 16.0
Schools in town
5
4,505 students on the public path
In brief

Harrisburg’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 58% and math 62% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,026 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Hickory Ridge Middle, then Hickory Ridge High. Enrollment is up 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

A.C.E. Academy 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Harrisburg’s grade

A− Test scoresB Graduation

B+: better than 73% of North Carolina school districts, #37 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 73%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (52)Better than 71%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 17,842 test results and a graduating class of 2,834 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Harrisburg’s students in the tested grades sat them (17,254 in math, 18,430 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Harrisburg, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A
6–8Hickory Ridge MiddleCabarrus County SchoolsA
9–12Hickory Ridge HighCabarrus County SchoolsA

Harrisburg’s public schools are run by Cabarrus County Schools, which also serves Concord, Kannapolis, Locust and Midland and others. 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.

Cabarrus County SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 43 schools · 35,264 students, up 8% since 2020–21 · 16.4 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$11,026NC $13,045 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading58%
State average 49.9% · 18430 students tested
Math62%
State average 50.8% · 17254 students tested

Harrisburg vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Harrisburg’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
HarrisburgB+Cabarrus County Schools
ConcordB+Cabarrus County Schools
CharlotteB−Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Every school in Harrisburg

5 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).

District schools in Harrisburgby address
Harrisburg Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
850 students16:1Rate it →
Hickory Ridge Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
A−
927 students14:1Rate it →
Hickory Ridge Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
A
1,057 students21:1Rate it →
Hickory Ridge High
High · Grades 9–12
A
1,671 students20:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
A.C.E. Academy
Elementary · Grades K–8
C−
Charter
421 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Harrisburg’s schools

Are Harrisburg’s schools good?

By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Harrisburg children attend outscore 73% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #37 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Harrisburg in?

Cabarrus County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 35,264 students in 43 schools (2024–25).

Where do Harrisburg kids go to high school?

Hickory Ridge High, with 1,671 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Harrisburg’s graduation rate?

89% of the class of 2023 in Cabarrus County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.

How much does Harrisburg spend per student?

$11,026 in Cabarrus County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Harrisburg families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Harrisburg → 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.