Very Good
#511 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 19% in state
Central Elementary
Elementary School · Orange County Schools
154 Hayes St, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hillsborough
#6 of 12
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#452 of 1,474
In district
#7 of 13
Orange County Schools
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a regular public school located in Hillsborough, North Carolina, within Orange County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 287 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Central Elementary is rated 6.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 58th percentile among North Carolina schools.
While 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 44% in Math, there is room for growth in these areas. Central Elementary is situated on the edge of an urban area, offering a blend of town amenities with a quieter community feel. The school focuses on student development and strives to provide a supportive learning environment that encourages academic progress and personal growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
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 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.6/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 54.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 41.2% (2025).
Location
154 Hayes St, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pathways Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Efland Cheeks Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Efland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hillsborough Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 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 | 9.0 |
| The Expedition School Hillsborough | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| River Park Elementary Hillsborough | 1.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Orange Middle Hillsborough | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Orange High Hillsborough | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Eno River Academy Hillsborough | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Pathways Elementary Hillsborough | 2.2 mi | 9.4 |
| Partnership Academy Hillsborough | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough | 4.2 mi | 6.5 |
| New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill | 4.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland | 4.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Gravelly Hill Middle Efland | 4.8 mi | 7.4 |
| EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 6.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill | 7.9 mi | 8.8 |
| CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham | 7.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 9.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Smith Middle Chapel Hill | 9.7 mi | 7.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $101,821. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $380,000, with a median rent of $1,294/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Falkland Elementary Greenville, NC | 7.9 |
| Hargrove Elementary Faison, NC | 7.9 |
| J C Sawyer Elementary Elizabeth City, NC | 7.9 |
| Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary Ash, NC | 7.9 |
| John C Tayloe Elementary Washington, NC | 7.9 |
| Mount Olive Elementary School King, NC | 7.9 |
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 is ranked #511 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 43.9% math proficiency and 37.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hillsborough). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 732-3622
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Orange County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,067
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,399
- District Rank
- #7 of 13
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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