For the 2025 school year, there are 32 public elementary schools serving 15,316 students in Orange County, NC. The top ranked public elementary schools in Orange County, NC are The Expedition School, Woods Charter and Eno River Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Orange County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Orange County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Orange County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
The Expedition School
Charter School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
437 Dimmocks Mill Rd Ste 33
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-8432
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-8432
Gr: K-8 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #22.
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
Gr: K-12 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #33.
Eno River Academy
Charter School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1212 Nc Highway 57 North
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-6272
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-6272
Gr: K-12 | 810 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
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
Gr: K-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
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
Gr: K-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #77.
Hillsborough Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
402 North Nash Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6137
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6137
Gr: PK-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #88.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 749 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #99.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1010.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1111.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1212.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 742 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1313.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1414.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1515.
Carrboro Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
400 Shelton St
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 968-3652
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 968-3652
Gr: PK-5 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1616.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1717.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 705 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1818.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 664 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1919.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #2020.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2121.
River Park Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
240 St. Mary's Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-9326
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-9326
Gr: PK-5 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2222.
Orange Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
308 Orange High Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6121
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6121
Gr: 6-8 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2323.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2424.
Pathways Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
431 Strouds Creek Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-9136
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-9136
Gr: PK-5 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2525.
Orange County Schools Online Academy
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
920 Corporate Dr
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-8126
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-8126
Gr: K-12 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 182:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2626.
A L Stanback Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3700 Nc 86 South
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-3200
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-3200
Gr: 6-8 | 625 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2727.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #2828.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
154 Hayes St
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-3622
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-3622
Gr: PK-5 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2929.
Grady Brown Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1100 New Grady Brown Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6138
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6138
Gr: PK-5 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #3030.
Efland Cheeks Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4401 Fuller Rd
Efland, NC 27243
(919) 563-5112
Efland, NC 27243
(919) 563-5112
Gr: PK-5 | 550 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #3131.
Gravelly Hill Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4801 West Ten Road
Efland, NC 27243
(919) 245-4050
Efland, NC 27243
(919) 245-4050
Gr: 6-8 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Orange County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1713 Legion Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 537-0740
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 537-0740
Gr: K-8 | 80 students Minority enrollment: 57%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 106 students Minority enrollment: 29%
308 Nc 54
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 933-7699
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 933-7699
Gr: 9-12 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Orange County, NC?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Orange County, NC include The Expedition School, Woods Charter and Eno River Academy. Orange County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public elementary schools are located in Orange County?
32 public elementary schools are located in Orange County.
What is the racial composition of students in Orange County?
Orange County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Orange County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Orange County include: Orange Middle School vs. A L Stanback Middle School, Phillips Middle School vs. Smith Middle School, A L Stanback Middle School vs. Orange Middle School
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