For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public middle schools serving 3,932 students in Chapel Hill, NC. The top-ranked public middle schools in Chapel Hill, NC are Woods Charter, Smith Middle School and Margaret B. Pollard Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Chapel Hill, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 68% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Chapel Hill have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Chapel Hill, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #22.
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 | 763 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #33.
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 | 736 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
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 | 600 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #55.
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 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #66.
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 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #77.
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
Gr: 8-12 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Chapel Hill, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Chapel Hill, NC include Woods Charter, Smith Middle School and Margaret B. Pollard Middle School. Chapel Hill has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public middle schools are located in Chapel Hill?
8 public middle schools are located in Chapel Hill.
What is the racial composition of students in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill public middle schools minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Chapel Hill are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Chapel Hill include: Culbreth Middle School vs. Mcdougle Middle School, Mcdougle Middle School vs. Smith Middle School, Phillips Middle School vs. Smith Middle School
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