Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg+17.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.4 pts
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,859

Buckhorn Creek Elementary — Students at Buckhorn Creek Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 70.2%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 62.3%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
48%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
55%
2025
Math
81.6%
ELA
67.1%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.8/10
95th percentile in NC
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
61 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (115/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wake County Schools
District Enrollment
161,481
Schools in District
197
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,691
District Rank
#12 of 194

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.