Average
#1564 of 2,648 schools in NC
Central Elementary
Elementary School · Orange County Schools
154 Hayes St, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,564 of 2,648
In Hillsborough
#10 of 12
public schools
In district
#9 of 13
Orange County Schools
School environment
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Central Elementary
Elementary School in Hillsborough · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hillsborough Elementary
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
The Expedition School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Hillsborough, NC, part of Orange County Schools. Central Elementary serves approximately 287 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,564 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.9 · Average
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
31% of students at Central Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
154 Hayes St, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The Expedition School (rated 9.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morris Grove Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Chapel Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hillsborough Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hillsborough, see our Hillsborough schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough Elementary Hillsborough | 0.2 mi | 8.8 |
| The Expedition School Hillsborough | 0.8 mi | 9.5 |
| River Park Elementary Hillsborough | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Orange Middle Hillsborough | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Orange High Hillsborough | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Eno River Academy Hillsborough | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Pathways Elementary Hillsborough | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Partnership Academy Hillsborough | 2.2 mi | 4.5 |
| A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough | 4.2 mi | 5.9 |
| New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill | 4.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland | 4.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Gravelly Hill Middle Efland | 4.8 mi | 5.3 |
| EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 6.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill | 7.9 mi | 8.9 |
| CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham | 7.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 9.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Smith Middle Chapel Hill | 9.7 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27278 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,821
Median Home Value
$380,000
Median Rent
$1,294/mo
Population
28,546
College Educated
53.8%
Homeownership
77.3%
Avg Commute
27.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
44.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Coleridge Elementary School Ramseur, NC | 5.9 |
| Gatesville Elementary Gatesville, NC | 5.9 |
| Liberty Elementary School Liberty, NC | 5.9 |
| Manchester Elementary Spring Lake, NC | 5.9 |
| North Elementary Kings Mountain, NC | 5.9 |
| Rand Road Elementary Garner, NC | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary
What grades does Central Elementary serve?
Central Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 287 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary rank in NC?
Central Elementary ranks #1,564 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Central Elementary a charter school?
No, Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary?
71.8% of students at Central Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 287
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Orange County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.7%
- Phone
- (919) 732-3622
Resources & Links
District
Orange County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,067
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,399
- District Rank
- #9 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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