Below Average
#2056 of 2,648 schools in NC
Grady Brown Elementary
Elementary School · Orange County Schools
1100 New Grady Brown Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,056 of 2,648
In Hillsborough
#11 of 12
public schools
In district
#12 of 13
Orange County Schools
School environment
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Grady Brown Elementary
Elementary School in Hillsborough · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cedar Ridge High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
The Expedition School
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Grady Brown Elementary
Grady Brown Elementary is a public elementary school in Hillsborough, NC, part of Orange County Schools. Grady Brown Elementary serves approximately 401 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Grady Brown Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,056 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Grady Brown Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Grady Brown Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
30% of students at Grady Brown 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
Grady Brown Elementary — Students at Grady Brown Elementary score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
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 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: 2.2/10.
How Grady Brown Elementary Compares
See how Grady Brown 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
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. The Expedition School (rated 9.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morris Grove Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Chapel Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hillsborough Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 7.6 |
| The Expedition School Hillsborough | 1.4 mi | 9.5 |
| Central Elementary Hillsborough | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Hillsborough Elementary Hillsborough | 2.2 mi | 8.8 |
| River Park Elementary Hillsborough | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Partnership Academy Hillsborough | 2.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Orange Middle Hillsborough | 3.2 mi | 6.7 |
| HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Orange High Hillsborough | 3.4 mi | 7.1 |
| A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough | 3.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Eno River Academy Hillsborough | 4.0 mi | 8.1 |
| New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill | 3.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Pathways Elementary Hillsborough | 4.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland | 4.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Gravelly Hill Middle Efland | 4.3 mi | 5.3 |
| EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 5.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill | 6.0 mi | 8.9 |
| CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham | 6.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 7.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Smith Middle Chapel Hill | 8.0 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 |
|---|---|
| Childers Elementary Lincolnton, NC | 4.9 |
| E J Hayes Elementary Williamston, NC | 4.9 |
| Emma Elementary Asheville, NC | 4.9 |
| Everetts Elementary S.T.E.M. Academy Roanoke Rapids, NC | 4.9 |
| J C Sawyer Elementary Elizabeth City, NC | 4.9 |
| Loyd E Auman Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 4.9 |
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 ranks #2,056 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Grady Brown Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Grady Brown Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Grady Brown Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Grady Brown Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.2%
- Phone
- (919) 732-6138
Resources & Links
District
Orange County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,067
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,399
- District Rank
- #12 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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