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Average

#1226 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 46% 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

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chapel Hill

#17 of 20

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#107 of 579

In district

#14 of 18

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

School environment

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Chapel Hill High

Chapel Hill High serves 1,638 students in grades 9-12 with a solid academic reputation, earning a 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 83rd percentile among North Carolina high schools at #445 out of 2,661 schools statewide. The school maintains a manageable 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio with 100 full-time equivalent teachers supporting student learning. Academically, Chapel Hill High demonstrates strong performance with an impressive 9.0 academic score.

Students particularly excel in English Language Arts, with 81% achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows 56% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating solid foundational skills with room for continued growth in this subject area. The school draws from an educated and affluent community in the 27516 zip code, where 72% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $94,354.

Home values averaging $468,600 reflect the area's desirability, though the community maintains economic diversity with a 14.7% poverty rate. Located on Seawell School Road in Chapel Hill, this public high school sits in Orange County's vibrant small city environment, benefiting from the intellectual and cultural resources of a well-educated university community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.5Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80.8%
Math vs. State Avg-17.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.2 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation41.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,534

Chapel Hill High — Students at Chapel Hill High score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.7%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 67.6%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
80%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
79%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
38.2%
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: 1.5/10.

How Chapel Hill High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
54th percentile in NC
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
1.5/10
Below average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
100 teachers

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 6.9/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Carrboro High (rated 6.4/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Carrboro), with a very similar 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 7.5
Seawell Elementary Chapel Hill 0.4 mi 6.9
McDougle Elementary Chapel Hill 1.6 mi 6.9
McDougle Middle Chapel Hill 1.6 mi 7.6
Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill 1.9 mi 8.8
Carrboro Elementary Carrboro 2.2 mi 7.9
Northside Elementary Chapel Hill 2.2 mi 7.6
Phillips Middle Chapel Hill 2.0 mi 7.4
Estes Hills Elementary Chapel Hill 2.2 mi 8.6
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 8.1
East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill 3.0 mi 6.9
Carrboro High Carrboro 3.8 mi 6.4
Culbreth Middle Chapel Hill 4.0 mi 6.5
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 7.2
Glenwood Elementary Chapel Hill 4.1 mi 8.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chapel Hill High has a median household income of $100,788. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $508,400, with a median rent of $1,446/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Atkins Academic & Tech High Winston-Salem, NC 6.6
East Lincoln High Denver, NC 6.6
Asheville High Asheville, NC 6.5
Cox Mill High School Concord, NC 6.5
Northwest Guilford High Greensboro, NC 6.5
Northwest School of the Arts Charlotte, NC 6.7

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 is ranked #1226 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Chapel Hill High's MySchoolScout rating?

Chapel Hill High has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Chapel Hill High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chapel Hill High has 65.7% math proficiency and 67.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (2,693/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chapel Hill). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

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