For the 2025 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 6,917 students in 27278, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 288 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in 27278, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in 27278, NC are The Expedition School, Eno River Academy and Cedar Ridge High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Public schools in zipcode 27278 have an average math proficiency score of 58% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in 27278, NC have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best 27278, NC Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: K-8
| 361 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 810 students
Rank: #33.
Cedar Ridge High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1125 New Grady Brown Sch Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4000
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4000
Grades: 9-12
| 1,118 students
Rank: #44.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 434 students
Rank: #55.
Orange High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
500 Orange High Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6133
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6133
Grades: 9-12
| 1,220 students
Rank: #66.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 555 students
Rank: #77.
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
Grades: 6-8
| 529 students
Rank: #88.
Partnership Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
920 Corporate Drive
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4030
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4030
Grades: 9-12
| 43 students
Rank: #99.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 352 students
Rank: #1010.
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
Grades: K-12
| 182 students
Rank: #1111.
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
Grades: 6-8
| 625 students
Rank: #1212.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 287 students
Rank: #1313.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 401 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in 27278, NC?
The top ranked public schools in 27278, NC include The Expedition School, Eno River Academy and Cedar Ridge High School.
How many public schools are located in 27278?
13 public schools are located in 27278.
What percentage of students in 27278 go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in 27278 are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in 27278?
27278 public schools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
