For the 2026-27 school year, there are 9 public elementary schools serving 4,366 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 57% (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 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Hillsborough, NC (2026-27)
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 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
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 | 828 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 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
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 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 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 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
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 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #77.
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 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #88.
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 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #99.
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 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
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?
9 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 58% (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, The Expedition School vs. Eno River Academy
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