Excellent
#133 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 5% in state
Buckhorn Creek Elementary
Elementary School · Wake County Schools
5651 Honeycutt Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Enrollment
870
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
870
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Holly Springs
#1 of 9
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#120 of 1,474
In district
#12 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Buckhorn Creek Elementary
Buckhorn Creek Elementary serves 870 students in grades PK through 5 in Holly Springs, North Carolina. It earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating — placing it 46th among 2,648 public schools statewide. That puts Buckhorn Creek ahead of 98% of North Carolina schools, a mark that reflects consistent performance across every scoring dimension.
Academic scores come in at 8.7 out of 10, strong on their own, but growth is where Buckhorn Creek separates itself: a 9.6 growth score signals that students here advance faster than nearly all peers, regardless of where they start. The student-teacher ratio of 14.3 to 1 keeps class sizes manageable for a school this size. Within Holly Springs, Buckhorn Creek ranks first among nine elementary schools, making it the top local option at the elementary level.
Among 1,474 elementary schools across North Carolina, it holds the 42nd spot — a consistent signal of quality that goes beyond a single strong year. For families prioritizing academic momentum early on, the data here is hard to overlook.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Buckhorn Creek Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Buckhorn Creek Elementary — Students at Buckhorn Creek Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.
How Buckhorn Creek Elementary Compares
See how Buckhorn Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 81.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 67% (2025).
Location
5651 Honeycutt Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buckhorn Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ballentine Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Fuquay-Varina), with a very similar rating. Another option is Lincoln Heights Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Fuquay-Varina), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Oakview Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Apex), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Holly Springs, see our Holly Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Holly Springs High Holly Springs | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Holly Grove Middle Holly Springs | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Holly Grove Elementary Holly Springs | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Southern Wake Academy Holly Springs | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Herbert Akins Rd Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Holly Springs Elementary Holly Springs | 2.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Lincoln Heights Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 2.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Holly Ridge Elementary Holly Springs | 2.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Oakview Elementary Apex | 3.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina | 3.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Northwest Harnett Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 4.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Fuquay-Varina Middle Fuquay-Varina | 3.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Pine Springs Preparatory Academy Holly Springs | 4.2 mi | 6.2 |
| NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs | 4.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 4.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 5.0 mi | 8.3 |
| West Lake Elementary Apex | 5.5 mi | 7.0 |
| West Lake Middle Apex | 5.5 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$125,681
Median Home Value
$474,700
Median Rent
$1,718/mo
Population
45,993
College Educated
64.7%
Homeownership
84.5%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Median Age
36.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buckhorn Creek Elementary has a median household income of $125,681. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $474,700, with a median rent of $1,718/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Belmont Elementary School Roanoke Rapids, NC | 8.8 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby, NC | 8.8 |
| Bryan Road Elementary Garner, NC | 8.8 |
| Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring, NC | 8.8 |
| Fairview Elementary Fairview, NC | 8.8 |
| G R Whitfield Grimesland, NC | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buckhorn Creek Elementary
What grades does Buckhorn Creek Elementary serve?
Buckhorn Creek Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Buckhorn Creek Elementary?
Buckhorn Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 870 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buckhorn Creek Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Buckhorn Creek Elementary is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buckhorn Creek Elementary rank in NC?
Buckhorn Creek Elementary is ranked #133 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Buckhorn Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Buckhorn Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 8.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Buckhorn Creek Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buckhorn Creek Elementary has 70.2% math proficiency and 62.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buckhorn Creek Elementary a charter school?
No, Buckhorn Creek Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buckhorn Creek Elementary a Title I school?
No, Buckhorn Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buckhorn Creek Elementary?
24.7% of students at Buckhorn Creek Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 870
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 61
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 694-8970
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wake County Schools- District Enrollment
- 161,481
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,691
- District Rank
- #12 of 194
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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