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Excellent

#314 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 12% in state

Chapel Hill High

High School · Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

9217 Seawell School Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Enrollment

1,638

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

8.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#314 of 2,648

In Chapel Hill

#10 of 20

public schools

In district

#9 of 18

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Chapel Hill High

8.2/10

High School in Chapel Hill · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Smith Middle

8.4/10

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

Seawell Elementary

8.0/10

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

About Chapel Hill High

Chapel Hill High is a public high school in Chapel Hill, NC, part of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Chapel Hill High serves approximately 1,638 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Chapel Hill High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #314 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Chapel Hill High show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.2
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency80.8% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+18.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.2 pts
Overall Proficiency78% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College Readiness8.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%
AP Participation41.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,963
Chronic Absenteeism29.7%

Chapel Hill High — Students at Chapel Hill High score 78% 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

24.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 70.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 76.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
88%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
81%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
79%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
80%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
80%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
79%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
79%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
74.7%
ELA
80.8%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Chapel Hill High Compares

See how Chapel Hill High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
88th percentile in NC
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
7.5/10
Very Good
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
25
12 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
100 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
41.3% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics25sports offered
12 boys'·13 girls'·40 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

9217 Seawell School Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chapel Hill High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. East Chapel Hill High (rated 8.7/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Carrboro High (rated 7.7/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Carrboro), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chapel Hill, see our Chapel Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Smith Middle Chapel Hill 0.3 mi 8.4
Seawell Elementary Chapel Hill 0.4 mi 8.0
McDougle Elementary Chapel Hill 1.6 mi 8.4
McDougle Middle Chapel Hill 1.6 mi 8.2
Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill 1.9 mi 8.9
Carrboro Elementary Carrboro 2.2 mi 8.6
Northside Elementary Chapel Hill 2.2 mi 7.4
Phillips Middle Chapel Hill 2.0 mi 8.0
Estes Hills Elementary Chapel Hill 2.2 mi 8.5
EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill 2.8 mi 7.0
Phoenix Academy High Chapel Hill 3.1 mi
Virtual Academy School Chapel Hill 3.1 mi
FPG Elementary Chapel Hill 3.3 mi 8.2
East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill 3.0 mi 8.7
Carrboro High Carrboro 3.8 mi 7.7
Culbreth Middle Chapel Hill 4.0 mi 7.0
MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL Chapel Hill 3.4 mi 4.8
ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chapel Hill 3.9 mi 6.8
Ephesus Elementary Chapel Hill 3.7 mi 8.3
Glenwood Elementary Chapel Hill 4.1 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27516 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,788

Median Home Value

$508,400

Median Rent

$1,446/mo

Population

46,372

College Educated

72.4%

Homeownership

72%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

15.4%

Median Age

35.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Marvin Ridge High Waxhaw, NC 8.2
West Henderson High Hendersonville, NC 8.1
Asheville High Asheville, NC 8.3
Green Hope High Cary, NC 8.0
Northwest School of the Arts Charlotte, NC 8.0
Providence High School Charlotte, NC 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chapel Hill High

What grades does Chapel Hill High serve?

Chapel Hill High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Chapel Hill High?

Chapel Hill High has an enrollment of approximately 1,638 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chapel Hill High?

The student-teacher ratio at Chapel Hill High is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chapel Hill High rank in NC?

Chapel Hill High ranks #314 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Chapel Hill High's MySchoolScout rating?

Chapel Hill High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Chapel Hill High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Chapel Hill High has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Chapel Hill High a charter school?

No, Chapel Hill High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Chapel Hill High a Title I school?

No, Chapel Hill High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chapel Hill High?

24.8% of students at Chapel Hill High 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
6 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
69 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,638
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
100
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.7%
4-Year Graduation
95.0%

District

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
District Enrollment
11,386
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,963
District Rank
#9 of 18

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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