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Excellent

#125 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 5% in state

Hillsborough Elementary

Elementary School · Orange County Schools

402 North Nash Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Enrollment

434

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#125 of 2,648

In Hillsborough

#2 of 12

public schools

In district

#1 of 13

Orange County Schools

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Hillsborough Elementary

8.8/10

Elementary School in Hillsborough · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pathways Elementary

7.2/10

Hillsborough, NC. Compare side by side with Hillsborough Elementary before ruling this option in or out.

Central Elementary

5.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hillsborough Elementary

Hillsborough Elementary is a public elementary school in Hillsborough, NC, part of Orange County Schools. Hillsborough Elementary serves approximately 434 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillsborough Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #125 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Hillsborough Elementary show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

What's said publicly about Hillsborough Elementary

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Brittany Laube was named the 2026-27 Teacher of the Year at Hillsborough Elementary School 1 . The school is part of the Orange County Schools district, which also recognized Justin Boggus from Orange High School as the district-level Teacher of the Year for the same period 1 . Hillsborough Elementary observes a weekly tradition called Spirit Day on Fridays 1 . The school participated in the 2025-26 school year, with students and staff celebrating the first day of classes 1 . The district provides information regarding lunch applications and Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) qualified schools, where students may receive meals at no cost 1 . Additionally, the Orange County Board of Education held meetings in April 2026 to address budget hearings and leadership announcements for school administrators 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.orangecountyfirst.com
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares2.1 pts above district
  • This school 8.8 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.7
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.84 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency77.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+15.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+30.5 pts
Overall Proficiency78% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)71% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,399
Chronic Absenteeism4.6%

Hillsborough Elementary — Students at Hillsborough Elementary score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 70.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
92%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
70%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
63%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
61%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
54%
ELA
63%
2019
Math
54%
ELA
63%
2020*
Math
58%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
75.3%
ELA
75.3%
2025
Math
79.4%
ELA
77.1%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Hillsborough Elementary Compares

See how Hillsborough Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.8/10
95th percentile in NC
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
4.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

402 North Nash Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillsborough 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 slightly higher. Another option is Morris Grove Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Chapel Hill), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Efland Cheeks Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Efland), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hillsborough, see our Hillsborough schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Elementary Hillsborough 0.2 mi 5.9
The Expedition School Hillsborough 0.8 mi 9.5
River Park Elementary Hillsborough 1.0 mi 6.9
Orange Middle Hillsborough 1.1 mi 6.7
Orange High Hillsborough 1.2 mi 7.1
HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough 1.2 mi 6.5
Eno River Academy Hillsborough 1.8 mi 8.1
Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough 2.0 mi 7.6
Pathways Elementary Hillsborough 2.1 mi 7.2
Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough 2.2 mi 4.9
Partnership Academy Hillsborough 2.0 mi 4.5
A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough 4.1 mi 5.9
New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill 4.6 mi 5.3
Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland 4.4 mi 7.6
Gravelly Hill Middle Efland 5.0 mi 5.3
EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill 6.7 mi 7.0
CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham 7.0 mi 7.7
Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill 7.9 mi 8.9
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
Baucom Elementary Apex, NC 8.8
Chocowinity Primary Chocowinity, NC 8.8
Doral Academy of North Carolina Raleigh, NC 8.8
Mangum Elementary Bahama, NC 8.8
Masonboro Elementary Wilmington, NC 8.8
Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy Charlotte, NC 8.8

Compare Hillsborough Elementary with similar schools nearby

Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillsborough Elementary

What grades does Hillsborough Elementary serve?

Hillsborough Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Hillsborough Elementary?

Hillsborough Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 434 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillsborough Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillsborough Elementary is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillsborough Elementary rank in NC?

Hillsborough Elementary ranks #125 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Hillsborough Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillsborough Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 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 Hillsborough Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillsborough Elementary has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hillsborough Elementary a charter school?

No, Hillsborough Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hillsborough Elementary a Title I school?

No, Hillsborough Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillsborough Elementary?

18.0% of students at Hillsborough 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Compare This School

How does Hillsborough Elementary stack up?

Pathways Elementary
7.2

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
4.6%

District

Orange County Schools
District Enrollment
7,067
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,399
District Rank
#1 of 13

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