Excellent
#122 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 5% in state
River Park Elementary
Elementary School · Orange County Schools
240 St. Mary's Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Enrollment
555
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
555
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hillsborough
#3 of 12
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#109 of 1,474
In district
#4 of 13
Orange County Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About River Park Elementary
River Park Elementary is a public elementary school in Hillsborough, NC, part of the Orange County Schools. The school serves approximately 555 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 95.4th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 65% proficiency in math, 6 points above the state average and 60% in reading/language arts, 7 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.2/10). 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 town setting.
Score Breakdown
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River Park Elementary — Students at River Park Elementary score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.5%
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 River Park Elementary Compares
See how River Park Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 73.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 65.3% (2025).
Location
240 St. Mary's Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering River Park Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pathways Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Efland Cheeks Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Efland), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hillsborough Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hillsborough, see our Hillsborough schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Orange Middle Hillsborough | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Orange High Hillsborough | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Hillsborough Elementary Hillsborough | 1.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Partnership Academy Hillsborough | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| The Expedition School Hillsborough | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Central Elementary Hillsborough | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Eno River Academy Hillsborough | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Pathways Elementary Hillsborough | 2.4 mi | 9.4 |
| Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
| A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough | 3.6 mi | 6.5 |
| New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill | 4.1 mi | 8.8 |
| EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 6.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland | 5.3 mi | 9.2 |
| CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham | 6.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Gravelly Hill Middle Efland | 5.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill | 7.7 mi | 8.8 |
| TRIANGLE DAY SCHOOL Durham | 7.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 9.1 mi | 6.6 |
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 River Park 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 |
|---|---|
| Badin Elementary Badin, NC | 8.8 |
| Belmont Elementary School Roanoke Rapids, NC | 8.8 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby, NC | 8.8 |
| Bryan Road Elementary Garner, NC | 8.8 |
| Carolina Beach Elementary Carolina Beach, NC | 8.8 |
| Carver Elementary Mount Olive, NC | 8.8 |
Compare River Park 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 River Park Elementary
What grades does River Park Elementary serve?
River Park Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend River Park Elementary?
River Park Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 555 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at River Park Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at River Park 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 River Park Elementary rank in NC?
River Park Elementary is ranked #122 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is River Park Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
River Park Elementary has a composite rating of 8.8 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 River Park Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, River Park Elementary has 65.2% math proficiency and 60.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is River Park Elementary a charter school?
No, River Park Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is River Park Elementary a Title I school?
No, River Park Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River Park Elementary?
35.5% of students at River Park 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
- 555
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (919) 732-9326
- 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
- #4 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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