Very Good
#862 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 33% in state
Pathways Elementary
Elementary School · Orange County Schools
431 Strouds Creek Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#862 of 2,648
In Hillsborough
#5 of 12
public schools
In district
#4 of 13
Orange County Schools
School environment
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Pathways Elementary
Elementary School in Hillsborough · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hillsborough Elementary
Hillsborough, NC. Compare side by side with Pathways Elementary before ruling this option in or out.
River Park Elementary
Hillsborough, NC. Compare side by side with Pathways Elementary before ruling this option in or out.
About Pathways Elementary
Pathways Elementary is a public elementary school in Hillsborough, NC, part of Orange County Schools. Pathways Elementary serves approximately 352 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Pathways Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #862 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Pathways Elementary show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
What's said publicly about Pathways Elementary
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Pathways 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pathways Elementary — Students at Pathways Elementary score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.7%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.5/10.
How Pathways Elementary Compares
See how Pathways 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
431 Strouds Creek Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pathways Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The Expedition School (rated 9.5/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morris Grove Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Chapel Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hillsborough Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hillsborough, see our Hillsborough schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eno River Academy Hillsborough | 0.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Orange High Hillsborough | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Orange Middle Hillsborough | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Hillsborough Elementary Hillsborough | 2.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Central Elementary Hillsborough | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| River Park Elementary Hillsborough | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| The Expedition School Hillsborough | 2.9 mi | 9.5 |
| Partnership Academy Hillsborough | 3.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough | 4.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough | 4.3 mi | 4.9 |
| A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough | 6.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland | 5.1 mi | 7.6 |
| New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill | 6.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Gravelly Hill Middle Efland | 6.0 mi | 5.3 |
| EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 8.7 mi | 7.0 |
| CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham | 8.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill | 10.0 mi | 8.9 |
| TRIANGLE DAY SCHOOL Durham | 9.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Riverside High Durham | 9.2 mi | 5.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Battleground Elementary Lincolnton, NC | 7.2 |
| Bostian Elementary China Grove, NC | 7.2 |
| Brentwood Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.2 |
| Eastern Elementary Washington, NC | 7.2 |
| Edgewood Elementary Whiteville, NC | 7.2 |
| Mars Hill Elementary Mars Hill, NC | 7.2 |
Compare Pathways 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 Pathways Elementary
What grades does Pathways Elementary serve?
Pathways Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Pathways Elementary?
Pathways Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 352 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pathways Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pathways Elementary is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pathways Elementary rank in NC?
Pathways Elementary ranks #862 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Pathways Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pathways Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Pathways Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pathways Elementary has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Pathways Elementary a charter school?
No, Pathways Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pathways Elementary a Title I school?
No, Pathways Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pathways Elementary?
53.7% of students at Pathways 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
- 352
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Orange County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.7%
- Phone
- (919) 732-9136
Resources & Links
District
Orange County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,067
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,399
- District Rank
- #4 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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