Excellent
#131 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 5% in state
Hortons Creek Elementary
Elementary School · Wake County Schools
7615 O'Kelly Chapel Rd, Cary, NC 27519
Enrollment
694
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
694
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cary
#1 of 32
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#118 of 1,474
In district
#10 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Hortons Creek Elementary
Hortons Creek Elementary serves 694 students in grades pre-K through 5 in Cary, North Carolina. It earned a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — labeled Exceptional — built on a 9.6 academic score and a 9.3 growth score. That growth figure signals students are making measurable gains year over year, not just arriving with advantages.
The rankings underscore the school's consistency. Hortons Creek sits at #1 of 32 public schools in Cary, and it outperforms 97% of all public schools in North Carolina — placing #74 out of 2,648 statewide. Among elementary schools specifically, it ranks #64 out of 1,474 across the state.
These results hold across multiple performance dimensions, not a single standout category. A student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 keeps instruction manageable for a school of its size. As a regular public school with no selective admissions, Hortons Creek draws from the surrounding community, which makes its top-tier results more notable — the school isn't filtering for high performers, it's producing them.
For families weighing elementary options in the Cary area, the data puts it in a category of its own.
Score Breakdown
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Hortons Creek Elementary — Students at Hortons Creek Elementary score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
11.2%
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: 9.3/10.
How Hortons Creek Elementary Compares
See how Hortons Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 63% (2019) to 88.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 66% (2019) to 87.4% (2025).
Location
7615 O'Kelly Chapel Rd, Cary, NC 27519
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hortons Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lyons Farm Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Durham), with a very similar rating. Another option is White Oak Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Apex), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Carpenter Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 2.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cary, see our Cary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Alston Ridge Middle Cary | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Alston Ridge Elementary Cary | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Panther Creek High Cary | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Mills Park Middle Cary | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Mills Park Elementary Cary | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Lyons Farm Elementary Durham | 2.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Parkside Elementary Morrisville | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOLS AT THE PARK Morrisville | 2.6 mi | — |
| Highcroft Elementary Cary | 3.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Carpenter Elementary Cary | 2.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Parkwood Elementary Durham | 3.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Green Hope High Cary | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Kestrel Heights School Durham | 4.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Green Hope Elementary Cary | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| SOUTHPOINT ACADEMY Durham | 4.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Research Triangle High School Research Triangle Pk | 4.1 mi | 6.1 |
| DISCOVERY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER LLC Morrisville | 3.6 mi | — |
| White Oak Elementary Apex | 4.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Lowe's Grove Middle Durham | 4.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Cedar Fork Elementary Morrisville | 3.8 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27519 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$159,414
Median Home Value
$614,100
Median Rent
$1,854/mo
Population
67,976
College Educated
78.2%
Homeownership
69.1%
Avg Commute
22.3 min
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Median Age
38.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hortons Creek Elementary has a median household income of $159,414. It is a well-educated community where 78% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $614,100, with a median rent of $1,854/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Badin Elementary Badin, NC | 8.8 |
| Belmont Elementary School Roanoke Rapids, NC | 8.8 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby, NC | 8.8 |
| Bryan Road Elementary Garner, NC | 8.8 |
| Buckhorn Creek Elementary Holly Springs, NC | 8.8 |
| Carolina Beach Elementary Carolina Beach, NC | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hortons Creek Elementary
What grades does Hortons Creek Elementary serve?
Hortons Creek Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Hortons Creek Elementary?
Hortons Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 694 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hortons Creek Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Hortons Creek Elementary is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hortons Creek Elementary rank in NC?
Hortons Creek Elementary is ranked #131 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Hortons Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hortons 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 Hortons Creek Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hortons Creek Elementary has 81.5% math proficiency and 80.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hortons Creek Elementary a charter school?
No, Hortons Creek Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hortons Creek Elementary a Title I school?
No, Hortons Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hortons Creek Elementary?
11.2% of students at Hortons 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 14 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 34 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,393/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cary). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 694
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 11.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 694-8660
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wake County Schools- District Enrollment
- 161,481
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,691
- District Rank
- #10 of 194
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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