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Average

#1073 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 41% in state

Seawell Elementary

Elementary School · Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

9115 Seawell School Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Enrollment

442

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chapel Hill

#13 of 20

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#845 of 1,474

In district

#11 of 18

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Seawell Elementary

Seawell Elementary serves 442 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with a supportive student-teacher ratio of 13:1 and 34 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 67th out of 2,661 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 98th percentile with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10. Academic performance at Seawell Elementary is particularly noteworthy, with 75% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 74% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics.

These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective instruction across all grade levels. The school draws from Orange County's educated community, where 72% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $94,354. Located on Seawell School Road in this small city setting, the elementary school serves a neighborhood where the median home value is $468,600, reflecting the area's desirability and investment in education.

Seawell Elementary operates within a community that values learning and provides a stable environment for young students to thrive academically.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.4%
Math vs. State Avg+12.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.8 pts
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,534

Seawell Elementary — Students at Seawell Elementary score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 73.3%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
64%
ELA
68%
2025
Math
74.1%
ELA
74.7%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Seawell Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
60th percentile in NC
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

9115 Seawell School Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Seawell Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Morris Grove Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glenwood Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Estes Hills Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chapel Hill, see our Chapel Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Smith Middle Chapel Hill 0.2 mi 7.5
Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill 0.4 mi 6.6
McDougle Elementary Chapel Hill 1.3 mi 6.9
McDougle Middle Chapel Hill 1.4 mi 7.6
Carrboro Elementary Carrboro 1.8 mi 7.9
Northside Elementary Chapel Hill 1.8 mi 7.6
Phillips Middle Chapel Hill 1.8 mi 7.4
Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill 2.2 mi 8.8
Estes Hills Elementary Chapel Hill 2.0 mi 8.6
Phoenix Academy High Chapel Hill 2.6 mi
Virtual Academy School Chapel Hill 2.6 mi
FPG Elementary Chapel Hill 2.8 mi 8.1
EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill 3.2 mi 7.0
Carrboro High Carrboro 3.4 mi 6.4
Culbreth Middle Chapel Hill 3.6 mi 6.5
East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill 3.1 mi 6.9
MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL Chapel Hill 3.3 mi 4.8
ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chapel Hill 3.6 mi 6.8
Scroggs Elementary Chapel Hill 4.3 mi 6.2
Glenwood Elementary Chapel Hill 3.8 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 Seawell Elementary 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
Alma O Easom Elementary Fayetteville, NC 6.9
Avery's Creek Elementary Arden, NC 6.9
Brentwood Elementary Fayetteville, NC 6.9
C. G. Credle Elementary Oxford, NC 6.9
E K Powe Elementary Durham, NC 6.9
H B Sugg Elementary Farmville, NC 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Seawell Elementary

What grades does Seawell Elementary serve?

Seawell Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Seawell Elementary?

Seawell Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 442 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Seawell Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Seawell Elementary is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Seawell Elementary rank in NC?

Seawell Elementary is ranked #1073 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Seawell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Seawell Elementary has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Seawell Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Seawell Elementary has 72.0% math proficiency and 73.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Seawell Elementary a charter school?

No, Seawell Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Seawell Elementary a Title I school?

No, Seawell Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Seawell Elementary?

32.6% of students at Seawell 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

City Safety
High (2,693/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
442
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.6%
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
#11 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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