Excellent
#356 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 13% in state
Grady Brown Elementary
Elementary School · Orange County Schools
1100 New Grady Brown Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hillsborough
#4 of 12
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#321 of 1,474
In district
#6 of 13
Orange County Schools
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Grady Brown Elementary
Grady Brown Elementary is a public elementary school in Hillsborough, NC, part of the Orange County Schools. The school serves approximately 401 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 86.6th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 48% proficiency in math, 11 points below the state average and 48% in reading/language arts, 5 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $101,821, where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Grady Brown Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Grady Brown Elementary — Students at Grady Brown Elementary score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.6%
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: 8.5/10.
How Grady Brown Elementary Compares
See how Grady Brown Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 57.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 52.2% (2025).
Location
1100 New Grady Brown Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Grady Brown Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pathways Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Efland Cheeks Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Efland), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hillsborough Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hillsborough, see our Hillsborough schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| The Expedition School Hillsborough | 1.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Central Elementary Hillsborough | 2.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Hillsborough Elementary Hillsborough | 2.2 mi | 9.0 |
| River Park Elementary Hillsborough | 2.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Partnership Academy Hillsborough | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Orange Middle Hillsborough | 3.2 mi | 7.4 |
| HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Orange High Hillsborough | 3.4 mi | 4.8 |
| A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough | 3.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Eno River Academy Hillsborough | 4.0 mi | 6.5 |
| New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill | 3.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Pathways Elementary Hillsborough | 4.3 mi | 9.4 |
| Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland | 4.1 mi | 9.2 |
| Gravelly Hill Middle Efland | 4.3 mi | 7.4 |
| EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 5.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill | 6.0 mi | 8.8 |
| CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham | 6.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 7.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Smith Middle Chapel Hill | 8.0 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 Grady Brown 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 |
|---|---|
| Casar Elementary Casar, NC | 8.2 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham, NC | 8.2 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory, NC | 8.2 |
| Cornelius Elementary Cornelius, NC | 8.2 |
| Cove Creek Elementary Vilas, NC | 8.2 |
| Creekside Elementary New Bern, NC | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Grady Brown Elementary
What grades does Grady Brown Elementary serve?
Grady Brown Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Grady Brown Elementary?
Grady Brown Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 401 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Grady Brown Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Grady Brown Elementary is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Grady Brown Elementary rank in NC?
Grady Brown Elementary is ranked #356 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Grady Brown Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Grady Brown Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Grady Brown Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Grady Brown Elementary has 48.1% math proficiency and 48.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Grady Brown Elementary a charter school?
No, Grady Brown Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Grady Brown Elementary a Title I school?
No, Grady Brown Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Grady Brown Elementary?
60.6% of students at Grady Brown 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
- 401
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (919) 732-6138
- 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
- #6 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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