For the 2025 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 12,418 students in Chapel Hill, NC (there are 7 private schools, serving 839 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Chapel Hill, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%). Chapel Hill has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
The top ranked public schools in Chapel Hill, NC are Chapel Hill High School, East Chapel Hill High School and Woods Charter. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Chapel Hill, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 68% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 69% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Chapel Hill have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Chapel Hill, NC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Chapel Hill High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9217 Seawell School Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 929-2106
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 929-2106
Grades: 9-12
| 1,638 students
Rank: #22.
East Chapel Hill High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
500 Weaver Dairy Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 969-2482
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 969-2482
Grades: 9-12
| 1,411 students
Rank: #33.
Woods Charter
Charter School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
160 Woodland Grove Ln
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 960-8353
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 960-8353
Grades: K-12
| 512 students
Rank: #44.
Seawell Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9115 Seawell School Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-4343
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-4343
Grades: PK-5
| 442 students
Rank: #55.
Morris Grove Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
215 Eubanks Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-4800
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-4800
Grades: K-5
| 396 students
Rank: #66.
Glenwood Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2 Prestwick Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 968-3473
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 968-3473
Grades: K-5
| 408 students
Rank: #77.
Smith Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9201 Seawell School Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-2145
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-2145
Grades: 6-8
| 749 students
Rank: #88.
Mcdougle Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
890 Old Fayetteville Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 969-2435
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 969-2435
Grades: PK-5
| 483 students
Rank: #99.
Estes Hills Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 N Estes Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-4753
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-4753
Grades: PK-5
| 349 students
Rank: #1010.
Scroggs Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
501 Kildaire Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-7165
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-7165
Grades: PK-5
| 397 students
Rank: #1111.
Margaret B. Pollard Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
185 Granite Mill Blvd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 969-0070
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 969-0070
Grades: 6-8
| 742 students
Rank: #1212.
Ephesus Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1495 Ephesus Church Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 929-8715
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 929-8715
Grades: PK-5
| 389 students
Rank: #1313.
Phillips Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
606 N Estes Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 929-2188
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 929-2188
Grades: 6-8
| 572 students
Rank: #1414.
North Chatham Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3380 Lystra Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 967-3094
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 967-3094
Grades: PK-5
| 623 students
Rank: #1515.
Mcdougle Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
900 Old Fayetteville Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 933-1556
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 933-1556
Grades: 6-8
| 705 students
Rank: #1616.
Culbreth Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
225 Culbreth Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 929-7161
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 929-7161
Grades: 6-8
| 664 students
Rank: #1717.
Rashkis Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
601 Meadowmont Ln
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 918-2160
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 918-2160
Grades: PK-5
| 433 students
Rank: #1818.
Fpg Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
101 Smith Level Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-6491
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-6491
Grades: PK-5
| 517 students
Rank: #1919.
Phoenix Academy High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
750 S Merritt Mill Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-2300
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-2300
Grades: 8-12
| 21 students
Rank: #2020.
Northside Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
350 Caldwell St
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-2220
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-2220
Grades: PK-5
| 390 students
Rank: #2121.
New Hope Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1900 New Hope Church Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-9696
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-9696
Grades: PK-5
| 538 students
Rank: n/an/a
101 Manning Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 966-5009
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 966-5009
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
750 S Merritt Mill Rd, Chapel
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-8211
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-8211
Grades: 9-12
| 39 students
Chapel Hill, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1713 Legion Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 537-0740
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 537-0740
Grades: K-8
| 80 students
New Century Charter High School (Closed 2005)
Charter School
1315-a New Hope Trace
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-7722
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-7722
Grades: 9-12
| 106 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Chapel Hill, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Chapel Hill, NC include Chapel Hill High School, East Chapel Hill High School and Woods Charter. Chapel Hill has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public schools are located in Chapel Hill?
23 public schools are located in Chapel Hill.
What percentage of students in Chapel Hill go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Chapel Hill are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill public schools minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Chapel Hill are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Chapel Hill include: East Chapel Hill High School vs. Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill High School vs. East Chapel Hill High School, Phillips Middle School vs. Smith Middle School
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