The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in Science. The lowest is 69% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Carrboro Elementary
Carrboro Elementary is a public elementary school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district. The school enrolls a student body that is roughly evenly split between white students and students of color, with a substantial share of Hispanic students and smaller numbers of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. About a third of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch.
On the most recent state End-of-Grade assessments, Carrboro Elementary's proficiency rates are solid. In mathematics, the school sits at a respectable level, with most tested students meeting or exceeding state standards. In English language arts, proficiency is somewhat lower, with about two-thirds of students tested reaching proficiency. Science proficiency is in line with mathematics. Relative to other districts in Orange County, Carrboro Elementary ranks in the top quartile on overall proficiency across tested subjects. The school's results reflect a school that is meeting baseline academic expectations for its grade span and peer group, though reading proficiency is an area a parent may want to ask the school about in more detail.
Carrboro is situated in a housing market where home values and rents are both relatively high. Homes in the area carry values notably above the state benchmark, and rental costs consume a meaningful share of household income. The market is experiencing slight cooling, with values declining modestly year over year, but the overall cost of living remains elevated. Mortgage rates are in the mid-six percent range, making home purchase a significant financial commitment. A family considering Carrboro should weigh these housing costs carefully against local income levels and their own financial situation.
The school is poised for physical transformation. In November 2024, Orange County voters approved a school facilities bond that allocated funds to Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools specifically to rebuild Carrboro Elementary along with two other aging elementary schools in the district. This means the building itself will be replaced, which is a long-term capital investment that will reshape the physical learning environment. The bond will be repaid through property taxes over a multiyear period, so families in the attendance zone should expect a modest increase in property tax obligations beginning in 2025.
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district is also undergoing broader changes that touch elementary instruction. The district is shifting its English language arts curriculum in 2026-27 to align with the science of reading framework, emphasizing phonics, phonemic awareness, comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary. New science and engineering standards have already been implemented. These are curriculum-level changes that will affect how reading and science are taught at Carrboro Elementary, so parents interested in instructional approach should familiarize themselves with these frameworks.
The district faces enrollment pressure. It has experienced a notable student population decline since the pandemic and recently voted to close Glenwood Elementary at the end of the 2026-27 school year, which will trigger elementary-level redistricting across the district. Carrboro Elementary is not the school being closed, but the redistricting decision means attendance zones may shift, so families in adjacent areas should check with the district about whether future boundary changes might affect their assignment.
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