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495402520 e32b834bb7 oPhoto: Elizabeth B. Thomsen Ethomsen · CC BY 2.5
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Schools in Carrboro · Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools

Carrboro’s public schools outscore 87% of North Carolina districts

On the state reading tests, 70% of Carrboro’s students scored proficient, above the North Carolina average (50%). The grade covers the public school district serving Carrboro, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.

#1of 290 North Carolina townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
70%
▲ 20 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
69%
▲ 18 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95%
▲ 8 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.9K
▲ 37% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.2
NC 16.0 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
2,939 students on the public path
In brief

Carrboro’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 245 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Carrboro’s, its schools beat 99%, higher than their 87% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 70% and math 69% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,880 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is McDougle Middle, then Carrboro High. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Carrboro’s grade

A Test scoresA Graduation

A: better than 87% of North Carolina school districts, #1 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 87%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (245)Better than 99%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 5,862 test results and a graduating class of 943 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Carrboro’s students in the tested grades sat them (5,482 in math, 6,243 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carrboro, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB+ to A
6–8McDougle MiddleChapel Hill-Carrboro SchoolsA−
9–12Carrboro HighChapel Hill-Carrboro SchoolsA−

Carrboro’s public schools are run by Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools, which also serves Chapel Hill. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 19 schools · 11,353 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 13.2 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$17,880NC $13,045 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading70%
State average 49.9% · 6243 students tested
Math69%
State average 50.8% · 5482 students tested

Carrboro vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Carrboro’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CarrboroAChapel Hill-Carrboro Schools
Chapel HillAChapel Hill-Carrboro Schools

Every school in Carrboro

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Carrboroby address
Carrboro Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B+
515 students13:1Rate it →
McDougle Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Chapel Hill
A−
497 students13:1Rate it →
Morris Grove Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Chapel Hill
A
383 students12:1Rate it →
McDougle Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Chapel Hill
A−
659 students12:1Rate it →
Carrboro High
High · Grades 9–12
A−
885 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Carrboro’s schools

Are Carrboro’s schools good?

By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Carrboro children attend outscore 87% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #1 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 99%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Carrboro in?

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,353 students in 19 schools (2024–25).

Where do Carrboro kids go to high school?

Carrboro High, with 885 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Carrboro’s graduation rate?

95% of the class of 2023 in Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.

How much does Carrboro spend per student?

$17,880 in Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Carrboro families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carrboro → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.