Carrboro is home to an elite preschool called The Children's Early School. The Children's Early School caters to children between the ages of six months and five years. Getting accepted into the school requires a series of interviews, submission of an application, paying of various fees including an enrollment fee and monthly tuition fees, as well as submission of medical records. All children who are accepted must participate in a two-week trial period. Meals are covered by the tuition fees and are provided for infants and children based on USDA guidelines. Tuition in 2011 is $957 per month.
According to PACE Academy's web site, the school is a career-oriented, public charter school that serves high school level students. A public lottery decides who is accepted into PACE Academy among those who apply. The school's curriculum is centered around preparing for post-graduation careers and living. The school does not charge a tuition fee. Classes are smaller in size and the school day functions on a block schedule.
The University of North Carolina, in adjoining Chapel Hill, is well over 200 years old and stands as the nation's first public university. UNC prides itself upon paving the way in innovation and providing an education unmatched by most other universities in the United States. During the fall 2010 semester, UNC accepted 3,960 incoming freshmen, while the total enrollment peaked above 29,000. The school offers programs in a wide variety of areas from almost every position on the occupational spectrum including education, journalism, law, medicine, nursing and pharmacy. The school also houses a prominent athletics department including a highly successful and competitive varsity basketball team.
Lying in the heart of Carrboro is Carrboro Elementary School. Like most public elementary schools in the U.S., Carrboro Elementary School hosts students between the levels of kindergarten and fifth grade. Some of the school's offerings include its very own vegetable garden and a program for gifted children. The school also provides a nationally accredited after-school program that is available from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. for those parents who do not get off work until later in the day.