Western Harnett High School

Western Harnett High School
Western Harnett High School, west side
Address
10637 Highway 27 West Lillington, North Carolina 27546-9600 United States
Coordinates	35°20′10″N 78°58′52″W
Information
Type	Public
Established	1977 (1977)
School district	Harnett County Schools
Superintendent	Aaron Fleming
CEEB code	342322
Principal	Matthew Price
Faculty	73.46 (FTE)
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	1,343 (2023–2024)
Student to teacher ratio	18.28
Color(s)	Red, white, and blue
Team name	Eagles
Communities served	Boone Trail and Benhaven
Feeder schools	Western Harnett Middle School
Website	www.harnett.k12.nc.us/Domain/34

Western Harnett High School is one of six high schools in Harnett County, North Carolina, United States. The other high schools include, Harnett Central, Triton, Overhills, the alternative school and Harnett Early College, located in Dunn, NC. WHHS is located approximately 11 miles southwest of Lillington, the county seat on N.C. Highway 27. The school was officially dedicated in May 1978, along with Harnett Central High School. The mascot for WHHS is the eagle.

History

Ground was broken for Western Harnett High School in October 1975. Those present at this ceremony were Superintendent R. A. Gray, Harnett County Commissioners, and the three student council presents from the three high schools that would compose Western Harnett: Boone Trail, Benhaven, and Anderson Creek. Construction on Western Harnett took two years. The doors opened for students on September 7, 1977. Ross Lane had been hired by HCS to be the first principal, but before the school year even started he left for another position. Bob Beasley, principal at Angier High School was chosen to be the first principal at Western Harnett High School. He remained as principal until 1987 when he was elevated to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Harnett County Schools. Beasley was followed by Donny Hunter, 1987–1988; G Steve McNeill, 1988–1990; Henry Holt, 1990–1999; David Stewart, 1999–2000; David Pugh, 2000–2001; Jackie Samuels, 2001–2003; Terry Hinson, 2003–2008; William Wright, 2008–2011; Stan Williams, 2011–2013; Chris Pearson 2013–2018; Matthew Price 2018–2022; Ryan Mcneill 2022&present. In 2002, it was entered into U.S. Congressional testimony that Western Harnett had so increased size that 22 trailers were being used to accommodate the large student body. After swelling to more than 1,900 students in 2003–04, Overhills High School was opened to help accommodate the large number of students in the area, which encompassed the Anderson Creek and part of the Benhaven school district.

Demographics

Western Harnett is ethnically diverse, with about a fifth of the student population of black ethnicity, another fifth of Hispanic ethnicity and just over half of the student population of white ethnicity. About 9 percent of the student population participates in Advance Placement (AP) programs.

Notable alumni

• Eric Swann, former NFL defensive tackle and 2x All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection

External links

• https://www.harnett.k12.nc.us/whhs