Excellent
#171 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 6% in state
Estes Hills Elementary
Elementary School · Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
500 N Estes Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Enrollment
349
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
349
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chapel Hill
#5 of 20
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#153 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 18
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Estes Hills Elementary
Estes Hills Elementary is a public elementary school in Chapel Hill, NC, part of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. The school serves approximately 349 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 93.6th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 73% proficiency in math, 14 points above the state average and 72% in reading/language arts, 19 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $94,167, where 80% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Estes Hills Elementary — Students at Estes Hills Elementary score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.7%
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: 7.7/10.
How Estes Hills Elementary Compares
See how Estes Hills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 80.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 74.7% (2025).
Location
500 N Estes Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Estes Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Glenwood Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is FPG Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Carrboro Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.4 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 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Phillips Middle Chapel Hill | 0.2 mi | 7.4 |
| MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Northside Elementary Chapel Hill | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Ephesus Elementary Chapel Hill | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Glenwood Elementary Chapel Hill | 2.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Smith Middle Chapel Hill | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Seawell Elementary Chapel Hill | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Phoenix Academy High Chapel Hill | 2.6 mi | — |
| Virtual Academy School Chapel Hill | 2.6 mi | — |
| Carrboro Elementary Carrboro | 2.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Rashkis Elementary Chapel Hill | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| FPG Elementary Chapel Hill | 3.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Creekside Elementary Durham | 2.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Ignite Online Academy Durham | 2.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Culbreth Middle Chapel Hill | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| McDougle Elementary Chapel Hill | 3.1 mi | 6.9 |
| McDougle Middle Chapel Hill | 3.1 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27514 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,167
Median Home Value
$628,700
Median Rent
$1,491/mo
Population
32,612
College Educated
80.1%
Homeownership
50.2%
Avg Commute
18.8 min
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Median Age
23.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Estes Hills Elementary has a median household income of $94,167. It is a well-educated community where 80% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $628,700, with a median rent of $1,491/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Druid Hills Academy Charlotte, NC | 8.6 |
| Gardners Elementary Elm City, NC | 8.6 |
| Hasty Elementary Thomasville, NC | 8.6 |
| Inborden Elementary S.T.E.A.M. Academy Enfield, NC | 8.6 |
| Kingswood Elementary Cary, NC | 8.6 |
| North Canton Elementary Canton, NC | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Estes Hills Elementary
What grades does Estes Hills Elementary serve?
Estes Hills Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Estes Hills Elementary?
Estes Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 349 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Estes Hills Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Estes Hills Elementary is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Estes Hills Elementary rank in NC?
Estes Hills Elementary is ranked #171 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Estes Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Estes Hills Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Estes Hills Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Estes Hills Elementary has 73.1% math proficiency and 71.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Estes Hills Elementary a charter school?
No, Estes Hills Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Estes Hills Elementary a Title I school?
No, Estes Hills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Estes Hills Elementary?
28.7% of students at Estes Hills 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
- Walk Score
- 21 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 36 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 39 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,693/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chapel Hill). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 349
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (919) 942-4753
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,386
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,963
- District Rank
- #3 of 18
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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