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Excellent

#14 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 1% 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

9.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#14 of 2,648

In Cary

#1 of 32

public schools

In district

#1 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Hortons Creek Elementary

9.4/10

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

Alston Ridge Middle

8.2/10

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

Alston Ridge Elementary

7.7/10

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

About Hortons Creek Elementary

Hortons Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Cary, NC, part of Wake County Schools. Hortons Creek Elementary serves approximately 694 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Hortons Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10 and ranks #14 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Hortons Creek Elementary show 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).

How it compares2.3 pts above district
  • This school 9.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.1
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change+2.66 pts/yr
Data Period2017–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency88.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency87.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+24.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+40.8 pts
Overall Proficiency88% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)74% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+14.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691
Chronic Absenteeism11.2%

Hortons Creek Elementary — Students at Hortons Creek Elementary score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 79.1% (multi-year average, 2017-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 76.5% (multi-year average, 2017-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 20 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2017
Math
78%
ELA
69%
2018
Math
63%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
63%
ELA
66%
2020*
Math
74%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
74%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
87%
ELA
80.3%
2025
Math
88%
ELA
86.9%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Hortons Creek Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
9.4/10
100th percentile in NC
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
11%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.2%

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

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. Mills Park Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Highcroft Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Green Hope Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 8.2
Alston Ridge Elementary Cary 1.3 mi 7.7
Panther Creek High Cary 1.2 mi 7.8
Mills Park Middle Cary 2.1 mi 8.6
Mills Park Elementary Cary 2.2 mi 9.1
Lyons Farm Elementary Durham 2.4 mi 8.6
Parkside Elementary Morrisville 2.5 mi 8.8
PRIMROSE SCHOOLS AT THE PARK Morrisville 2.6 mi
Highcroft Elementary Cary 3.1 mi 9.0
Carpenter Elementary Cary 2.9 mi 7.7
Parkwood Elementary Durham 3.4 mi 4.5
Green Hope High Cary 3.4 mi 8.0
Kestrel Heights School Durham 4.0 mi 3.7
Green Hope Elementary Cary 3.7 mi 9.0
SOUTHPOINT ACADEMY Durham 4.0 mi 4.9
Research Triangle High School Research Triangle Pk 4.1 mi 8.6
DISCOVERY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER LLC Morrisville 3.6 mi
White Oak Elementary Apex 4.3 mi 9.0
Lowe's Grove Middle Durham 4.4 mi 4.1
Cedar Fork Elementary Morrisville 3.8 mi 7.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
North Academy of World Languages Huntersville, NC 9.4
Abbotts Creek Elementary Raleigh, NC 9.3
Barton Pond Elementary Raleigh, NC 9.3
Scotts Ridge Elementary Apex, NC 9.3
Buckhorn Creek Elementary Holly Springs, NC 9.2
Grand Oak Elementary Huntersville, NC 9.2

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 ranks #14 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Hortons Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hortons Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 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 Hortons Creek Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hortons Creek Elementary has 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.2%

District

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

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