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Excellent

#38 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 1% 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

9.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#38 of 2,648

In Holly Springs

#1 of 9

public schools

In district

#8 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Buckhorn Creek Elementary

9.2/10

Elementary School in Holly Springs · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Holly Springs High

7.8/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Holly Grove Middle

8.0/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Buckhorn Creek Elementary

Buckhorn Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Holly Springs, NC, part of Wake County Schools. Buckhorn Creek Elementary serves approximately 870 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Buckhorn Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #38 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Buckhorn Creek Elementary show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts above district
  • This school 9.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.1
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Buckhorn Creek Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change+4.13 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+17.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.4 pts
Overall Proficiency74% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691
Chronic Absenteeism14.7%

Buckhorn Creek Elementary — Students at Buckhorn Creek Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

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 65.7% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 60.2% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 18 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2018
Math
48%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
55%
2022
Math
75.3%
ELA
63.7%
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: 9.9/10.

How Buckhorn Creek Elementary Compares

See how Buckhorn Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.2/10
99th percentile in NC
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
61 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Oakview Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Apex), with a very similar rating. Another option is Holly Springs Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Holly Ridge Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.9 miles away), 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 7.8
Holly Grove Middle Holly Springs 0.9 mi 8.0
Holly Grove Elementary Holly Springs 1.0 mi 8.8
Southern Wake Academy Holly Springs 1.5 mi 5.7
Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina 2.3 mi 6.9
Herbert Akins Rd Elementary Fuquay-Varina 2.3 mi 7.9
Holly Springs Elementary Holly Springs 2.8 mi 9.0
Lincoln Heights Elementary Fuquay-Varina 2.8 mi 8.1
Holly Ridge Elementary Holly Springs 2.9 mi 8.9
Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs 3.0 mi 7.4
Oakview Elementary Apex 3.3 mi 9.2
Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina 3.0 mi 7.2
Northwest Harnett Elementary Fuquay-Varina 4.1 mi 7.4
Fuquay-Varina Middle Fuquay-Varina 3.7 mi 7.1
Pine Springs Preparatory Academy Holly Springs 4.2 mi 8.0
NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs 4.0 mi 8.4
Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina 4.1 mi 8.4
Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina 5.0 mi 7.0
West Lake Elementary Apex 5.5 mi 7.4
West Lake Middle Apex 5.5 mi 5.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Grand Oak Elementary Huntersville, NC 9.2
Hunter Elementary Raleigh, NC 9.2
Jeffreys Grove Elementary Raleigh, NC 9.2
Oakview Elementary Apex, NC 9.2
Rea Farms STEAM Academy Charlotte, NC 9.2
Sherwood Forest Elementary Winston-Salem, NC 9.2

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 ranks #38 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Buckhorn Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Buckhorn Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Buckhorn Creek Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Buckhorn Creek Elementary has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.7%

District

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

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