For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public elementary schools serving 4,536 students in Hillsborough, NC. The top-ranked public elementary schools in Hillsborough, NC are The Expedition School, Eno River Academy and Hillsborough Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Hillsborough, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Hillsborough have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Hillsborough, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
The Expedition School
Charter School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
437 Dimmocks Mill Rd Ste 33
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-8432
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-8432
Gr: K-8 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #22.
Eno River Academy
Charter School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1212 Nc Highway 57 North
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-6272
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-6272
Gr: K-12 | 810 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
Hillsborough Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
402 North Nash Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6137
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6137
Gr: PK-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #44.
River Park Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
240 St. Mary's Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-9326
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-9326
Gr: PK-5 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #55.
Orange Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
308 Orange High Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6121
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6121
Gr: 6-8 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #66.
Pathways Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
431 Strouds Creek Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-9136
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-9136
Gr: PK-5 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #77.
Orange County Schools Online Academy
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
920 Corporate Dr
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-8126
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-8126
Gr: K-12 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 182:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #88.
A L Stanback Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3700 Nc 86 South
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-3200
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-3200
Gr: 6-8 | 625 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #99.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
154 Hayes St
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-3622
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-3622
Gr: PK-5 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1010.
Grady Brown Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1100 New Grady Brown Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6138
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6138
Gr: PK-5 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Hillsborough, NC?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Hillsborough, NC include The Expedition School, Eno River Academy and Hillsborough Elementary School. Hillsborough has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public elementary schools are located in Hillsborough?
10 public elementary schools are located in Hillsborough.
What is the racial composition of students in Hillsborough?
Hillsborough public elementary schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Hillsborough are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Hillsborough include: Orange Middle School vs. A L Stanback Middle School, A L Stanback Middle School vs. Orange Middle School, Central Elementary School vs. River Park Elementary School
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