Best Public Schools in Zip Code 27510

Schools in zip code 27510 serve the Carrboro, North Carolina area with just two public schools — Carrboro High (grades 9–12) and Carrboro Elementary (grades PK–5) — both belonging to the highly regarded Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district, which ranks in the 89th percentile of North Carolina districts. Notably, the zip code contains no middle school, so families must seek options outside 27510 for grades 6–8. The two schools serve similar economic populations, with roughly one-third of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, and per-student spending is nearly identical at about $13,300–$13,400.

Carrboro Elementary is the clear standout in the zip code. It ranks 171st out of 1,492 North Carolina elementary schools — the 89th percentile with 4 stars — and its percentile has climbed steadily from 79 to 86 to 89 over three ranking years. Chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at 8.7%, far below district (19.2%) and state (24.2%) rates. Test scores beat state averages in every subject and grade tested, and the school improved in every single tested subject between the latest two school years, including math gains of roughly 6 points. It outperforms district averages in 3rd and 4th grade math and reading, though its 5th grade math and science results dip slightly below the district, a pattern worth monitoring.

Carrboro High presents a more concerning picture. It ranks 323rd of 662 North Carolina high schools — the 51st percentile — and its percentile has slipped from 68 to 56 to 51 over three years. The 92.7% graduation rate tops the state average, but chronic absenteeism is a serious red flag at 38.4%, over four times the rate at Carrboro Elementary. The school beats state averages in Biology, English II, and Math III, yet falls below district averages in every subject. The most urgent concern is Math I, where just 31.6% of students are proficient, roughly 10 points below the state. The combination of declining rank, high absenteeism, and weak entry-level math merits immediate attention.