For the 2025 school year, there are 18 public preschools serving 7,646 students in Orange County, NC. The top ranked public preschools in Orange County, NC are Seawell Elementary School, Hillsborough Elementary School and Mcdougle Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Orange County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 61% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Orange County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Orange County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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%
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 preschools in Orange County, NC?
The top ranked public preschools in Orange County, NC include Seawell Elementary School, Hillsborough Elementary School and Mcdougle Elementary School. Orange County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public preschools are located in Orange County?
18 public preschools are located in Orange County.
What is the racial composition of students in Orange County?
Orange County public preschools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Orange County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Orange County include: River Park Elementary School vs. Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough Elementary School vs. River Park Elementary School, Central Elementary School vs. Hillsborough Elementary School
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
