Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 27514

Phillips Middle is the only public middle school serving zip code 27514 in Chapel Hill, NC, enrolling 600 students in grades 6–8 within the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district. For parents exploring this area, that means Phillips Middle is the clear focal point, and the data shows it is a dependably high-performing school with a 4-star rating and an 87th–88th percentile statewide ranking for three consecutive years.

Academically, Phillips Middle substantially outperforms North Carolina averages in nearly every subject and grade. In 2025–2026, math proficiency averaged 72.9%, reading averaged 71.6%, and 8th-grade science reached 82.7%—compared to state averages of 56.1%, 55.7%, and 68.6%, respectively. The strongest area is clearly 8th-grade science, which improved by 4.6 percentage points over the prior year. The school’s most notable improvement came in 7th-grade reading, which jumped 11.6 points to 76.2%, now well above both district and state levels. The only meaningful concern is 6th-grade reading, which dipped to 67.0% and now trails the district average by 5 points. Math is solid throughout, though 7th-grade math slightly lags the district while remaining far above the state. Overall, Phillips is a school where most students are meeting or exceeding proficiency standards, and it often compares favorably to its own district.

Behind the scores, Phillips Middle shows other strengths that matter for families. Chronic absenteeism is just 13.2% versus 24.2% statewide, and the student–teacher ratio is a favorable 11.4:1. Only 27% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a relatively affluent population and a supportive school community. Enrollment is moderate at 600 students, and the school has maintained remarkably stable rankings—hovering in the 87th–88th percentile even as the number of ranked schools shifts. If you are considering middle schools in the 27514 zip code, Phillips Middle offers consistently strong academics, especially in science, with only 6th-grade reading standing out as an area worth watching.