For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public preschools serving 4,561 students in Chapel Hill, NC. The top ranked public preschools in Chapel Hill, NC are Seawell Elementary School, Mcdougle Elementary School and Estes Hills Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Chapel Hill, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 65% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Chapel Hill have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Chapel Hill, NC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Seawell Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9115 Seawell School Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-4343
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-4343
Grades: PK-5
| 442 students
Rank: #22.
Mcdougle Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
890 Old Fayetteville Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 969-2435
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 969-2435
Grades: PK-5
| 483 students
Rank: #33.
Estes Hills Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 N Estes Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-4753
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-4753
Grades: PK-5
| 349 students
Rank: #44.
Scroggs Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
501 Kildaire Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-7165
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-7165
Grades: PK-5
| 397 students
Rank: #55.
Ephesus Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1495 Ephesus Church Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 929-8715
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 929-8715
Grades: PK-5
| 389 students
Rank: #66.
North Chatham Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3380 Lystra Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 967-3094
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 967-3094
Grades: PK-5
| 623 students
Rank: #77.
Rashkis Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
601 Meadowmont Ln
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 918-2160
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 918-2160
Grades: PK-5
| 433 students
Rank: #88.
Fpg Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
101 Smith Level Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-6491
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-6491
Grades: PK-5
| 517 students
Rank: #99.
Northside Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
350 Caldwell St
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-2220
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-2220
Grades: PK-5
| 390 students
Rank: #1010.
New Hope Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1900 New Hope Church Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-9696
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-9696
Grades: PK-5
| 538 students
Rank: n/an/a
101 Manning Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 966-5009
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 966-5009
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
Chapel Hill, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1713 Legion Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 537-0740
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 537-0740
Grades: K-8
| 80 students
New Century Charter High School (Closed 2005)
Charter School
1315-a New Hope Trace
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-7722
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-7722
Grades: 9-12
| 106 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Chapel Hill, NC?
The top ranked public preschools in Chapel Hill, NC include Seawell Elementary School, Mcdougle Elementary School and Estes Hills Elementary School. Chapel Hill has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public preschools are located in Chapel Hill?
11 public preschools are located in Chapel Hill.
What is the racial composition of students in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill public preschools minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Chapel Hill are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Chapel Hill include: Ephesus Elementary School vs. Rashkis Elementary School, Scroggs Elementary School vs. Seawell Elementary School, Rashkis Elementary School vs. Ephesus Elementary School
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