Excellent
#144 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 5% in state
North Chatham Elementary
Elementary School · Chatham County Schools
3380 Lystra Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Enrollment
623
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
623
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chapel Hill
#4 of 20
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#131 of 1,474
In district
#1 of 19
Chatham County Schools
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About North Chatham Elementary
North Chatham Elementary is a public elementary school in Chapel Hill, NC, part of the Chatham County Schools. The school serves approximately 623 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94.6th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 68% proficiency in math, 9 points above the state average and 65% in reading/language arts, 13 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $124,821, where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Chatham Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
North Chatham Elementary — Students at North Chatham Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.7%
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: 9.0/10.
How North Chatham Elementary Compares
See how North Chatham Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 75.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 54% (2019) to 69.5% (2025).
Location
3380 Lystra Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Chatham Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Glenwood Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 5.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Estes Hills Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 7.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, FPG Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 5.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chapel Hill, see our Chapel Hill schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLY YOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chapel Hill | 2.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Scroggs Elementary Chapel Hill | 4.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Woods Charter Chapel Hill | 4.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Culbreth Middle Chapel Hill | 5.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Margaret B. Pollard Middle Chapel Hill | 4.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Chatham Grove Elementary Pittsboro | 4.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Willow Oak Montessori Pittsboro | 4.5 mi | 5.2 |
| ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 5.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Carrboro High Carrboro | 5.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Glenwood Elementary Chapel Hill | 5.9 mi | 8.7 |
| FPG Elementary Chapel Hill | 5.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Phoenix Academy High Chapel Hill | 5.9 mi | — |
| Virtual Academy School Chapel Hill | 5.9 mi | — |
| Seaforth High Pittsboro | 6.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Rashkis Elementary Chapel Hill | 6.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Northside Elementary Chapel Hill | 6.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Carrboro Elementary Carrboro | 6.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Ephesus Elementary Chapel Hill | 7.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Estes Hills Elementary Chapel Hill | 7.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Phillips Middle Chapel Hill | 7.9 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27517 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$124,821
Median Home Value
$571,900
Median Rent
$1,518/mo
Population
28,676
College Educated
74.9%
Homeownership
67.4%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Median Age
43.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Chatham Elementary has a median household income of $124,821. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $571,900, with a median rent of $1,518/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain, NC | 8.7 |
| Bunn Elementary Bunn, NC | 8.7 |
| Edwin A Alderman Elementary Greensboro, NC | 8.7 |
| Elizabeth Traditional Elem Charlotte, NC | 8.7 |
| G W Carver Elementary Pinetops, NC | 8.7 |
| Glenwood Elementary Chapel Hill, NC | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Chatham Elementary
What grades does North Chatham Elementary serve?
North Chatham Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend North Chatham Elementary?
North Chatham Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 623 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Chatham Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at North Chatham Elementary is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Chatham Elementary rank in NC?
North Chatham Elementary is ranked #144 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is North Chatham Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
North Chatham Elementary has a composite rating of 8.7 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 North Chatham Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Chatham Elementary has 68.2% math proficiency and 65.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Chatham Elementary a charter school?
No, North Chatham Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Chatham Elementary a Title I school?
No, North Chatham Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Chatham Elementary?
33.7% of students at North Chatham 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- 623
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Chatham County
- Phone
- (919) 967-3094
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chatham County Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,023
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,128
- District Rank
- #1 of 19
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.