Top 10 Best Hillsborough Public Elementary Schools (2025)

For the 2025 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 (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
The Expedition School
Charter School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
437 Dimmocks Mill Rd Ste 33
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-8432
Grades: K-8
| 361 students
Rank: #22.
Eno River Academy
Charter School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1212 Nc Highway 57 North
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-6272
Grades: K-12
| 810 students
Rank: #33.
Hillsborough Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
402 North Nash Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6137
Grades: PK-5
| 434 students
Rank: #44.
River Park Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
240 St. Mary's Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-9326
Grades: PK-5
| 555 students
Rank: #55.
Orange Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
308 Orange High Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6121
Grades: 6-8
| 529 students
Rank: #66.
Pathways Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
431 Strouds Creek Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-9136
Grades: PK-5
| 352 students
Rank: #77.
Orange County Schools Online Academy
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
920 Corporate Dr
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-8126
Grades: K-12
| 182 students
Rank: #88.
A L Stanback Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3700 Nc 86 South
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-3200
Grades: 6-8
| 625 students
Rank: #99.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
154 Hayes St
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-3622
Grades: PK-5
| 287 students
Rank: #1010.
Grady Brown Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1100 New Grady Brown Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6138
Grades: PK-5
| 401 students

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?

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