Excellent
#74 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 3% in state
Hillsborough Elementary
Elementary School · Orange County Schools
402 North Nash Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hillsborough
#2 of 12
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#67 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 13
Orange County Schools
Academic performance
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Hillsborough Elementary
Hillsborough Elementary is a regular public school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in Hillsborough, North Carolina, with 434 students enrolled. Its student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1 keeps classes small, giving each student more direct access to instruction at every grade level. The school earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — built on a 9.0 academic score and an 8.9 growth score.
That growth figure carries real weight: it reflects how much students improve year over year, not just where they start. Hillsborough Elementary ranks #74 out of 2,648 public schools statewide, outperforming 97% of all public schools in North Carolina. Among the 1,474 elementary schools in the state, it places #67 — a standing that puts it firmly in the top tier regardless of how the comparison is sliced.
Locally, the school sits second among Hillsborough's 12 public schools. For families weighing elementary options in the area, that position is difficult to overlook. With scores this consistent across both academics and student growth, Hillsborough Elementary operates at a performance level that few schools in the state match.
What's said publicly about Hillsborough Elementary
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Hillsborough Elementary — Students at Hillsborough Elementary score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18%
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: 8.9/10.
How Hillsborough Elementary Compares
See how Hillsborough Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 54% (2019) to 79.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 63% (2019) to 77.1% (2025).
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. Pathways Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Efland Cheeks Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Efland), with a very similar rating. Additionally, River Park Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 7.9 |
| The Expedition School Hillsborough | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| River Park Elementary Hillsborough | 1.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Orange Middle Hillsborough | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Orange High Hillsborough | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Eno River Academy Hillsborough | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Pathways Elementary Hillsborough | 2.1 mi | 9.4 |
| Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough | 2.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Partnership Academy Hillsborough | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough | 4.1 mi | 6.5 |
| New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill | 4.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland | 4.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Gravelly Hill Middle Efland | 5.0 mi | 7.4 |
| 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 | 8.8 |
| 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 Hillsborough 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 |
|---|---|
| Armstrong Elementary Eastover, NC | 9.0 |
| Bethel Hill Charter Roxboro, NC | 9.0 |
| Bogue Sound Elementary Newport, NC | 9.0 |
| Castle Hayne Elementary Castle Hayne, NC | 9.0 |
| Edward Best Elementary Louisburg, NC | 9.0 |
| Gray's Creek Elementary Hope Mills, NC | 9.0 |
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 is ranked #74 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Hillsborough Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillsborough Elementary has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Hillsborough Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillsborough Elementary has 71.6% math proficiency and 73.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 434
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (919) 732-6137
- 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
- #3 of 13
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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