Best Public Schools in Southern Pines, NC

The city of Southern Pines, North Carolina is home to 4 schools, including 3 elementary schools (McDeeds Creek Elementary, Southern Pines Elementary, and Moore Montessori Community School) and 1 high school (Pinecrest High). The data reveals stark differences in academic performance, with McDeeds Creek Elementary consistently ranking among the top elementary schools in the state, while Southern Pines Elementary lags behind, particularly in mathematics and reading.

The type of school and funding levels appear to play a role in academic outcomes. McDeeds Creek Elementary, a traditional public school, outperforms the public charter school, Moore Montessori Community School, on most metrics. Additionally, Southern Pines Elementary spends significantly more per student than Pinecrest High, which may contribute to the differences in academic performance.

The data also highlights potential equity concerns, as the higher-performing schools tend to have a larger proportion of white and economically advantaged students, while the lower-performing schools serve a more diverse and economically disadvantaged population. This underscores the need to consider factors beyond just test scores and rankings when evaluating school quality and to address potential equity issues within the Moore County Schools and Moore Montessori Community School districts.