For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 12,320 students in Chapel Hill, NC (there are 7 private schools, serving 769 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Chapel Hill, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%). 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 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Chapel Hill, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,608 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,419 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
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
Gr: K-12 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
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 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 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: PK-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
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 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 763 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 497 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 736 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 600 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
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
Gr: 8-12 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
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?
22 public schools are located in Chapel Hill.
What percentage of students in Chapel Hill go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Chapel Hill are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill public schools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (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, Culbreth Middle School vs. Mcdougle Middle School
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