Very Good
#473 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 18% in state
The Expedition School
Elementary School · The Expedition School
437 Dimmocks Mill Rd Ste 33, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Enrollment
361
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
361
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hillsborough
#5 of 12
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#422 of 1,474
Academic performance
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About The Expedition School
The Expedition School serves 361 students in grades K-8 as a public charter school that has established itself as one of North Carolina's premier elementary institutions. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranking #13 out of 2,661 schools statewide, this school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement that places it in the 100th percentile. Students benefit from a supportive learning environment with a favorable 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio among 29 full-time equivalent teachers.
The school's academic excellence is evident in its outstanding test performance, with 91% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 86% meeting or exceeding standards in Mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to rigorous academics and effective instruction. The Expedition School draws families from a well-educated community where 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income of $94,525 supports a stable learning environment.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of 6.8%, contributing to the school's ability to focus on academic excellence. Located in Hillsborough, this charter school operates in a town setting on the fringe of an urban area, offering families the benefits of both community connection and access to broader regional resources.
What Parents Should Know
The Expedition School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
The Expedition School — Students at The Expedition School score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 6.7/10.
How The Expedition School Compares
See how The Expedition School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 74% (2019) to 85.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 91% (2025).
Location
437 Dimmocks Mill Rd Ste 33, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Expedition School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pathways Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Efland Cheeks Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Efland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hillsborough Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hillsborough, see our Hillsborough schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Elementary Hillsborough | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Hillsborough Elementary Hillsborough | 0.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| River Park Elementary Hillsborough | 1.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Orange Middle Hillsborough | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Orange High Hillsborough | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Partnership Academy Hillsborough | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Eno River Academy Hillsborough | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Pathways Elementary Hillsborough | 2.9 mi | 9.4 |
| A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill | 4.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland | 4.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Gravelly Hill Middle Efland | 4.8 mi | 7.4 |
| EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 6.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill | 7.1 mi | 8.8 |
| CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham | 6.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 8.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Smith Middle Chapel Hill | 8.9 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 The Expedition School 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 |
|---|---|
| Brooks Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
| Central Elementary Hillsborough, NC | 7.9 |
| Claremont Elementary Claremont, NC | 7.9 |
| Clear Creek Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 7.9 |
| Dudley Shoals Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 7.9 |
| Fairview Elementary High Point, NC | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Expedition School
What grades does The Expedition School serve?
The Expedition School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend The Expedition School?
The Expedition School has an enrollment of approximately 361 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Expedition School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Expedition School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does The Expedition School rank in NC?
The Expedition School is ranked #473 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is The Expedition School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Expedition School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 The Expedition School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, The Expedition School has 84.1% math proficiency and 89.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is The Expedition School a charter school?
Yes, The Expedition School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is The Expedition School a Title I school?
No, The Expedition School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 361
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (919) 245-8432
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
The Expedition School- District Enrollment
- 361
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,385
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.