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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Hillsborough Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 6,715 students in Hillsborough, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 201 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Hillsborough, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%). Hillsborough has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in North Carolina.
The top-ranked public schools in Hillsborough, 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.
Hillsborough, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Hillsborough have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Hillsborough, NC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
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:
10/
10
Top 10%
1212 Nc Highway 57 North
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-6272
Gr: K-12 | 828 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
Cedar Ridge High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1125 New Grady Brown Sch Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,148 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #44.
Hillsborough Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
402 North Nash Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6137
Gr: PK-5 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #55.
Orange High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
500 Orange High Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6133
Gr: 9-12 | 1,161 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #66.
River Park Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
240 St. Mary's Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-9326
Gr: PK-5 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #77.
Orange Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
308 Orange High Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6121
Gr: 6-8 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #88.
Partnership Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
920 Corporate Drive
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4030
Gr: 9-12 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #99.
Pathways Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
431 Strouds Creek Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-9136
Gr: PK-5 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1010.
A L Stanback Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3700 Nc 86 South
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-3200
Gr: 6-8 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1111.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
154 Hayes St
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-3622
Gr: PK-5 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1212.
Grady Brown Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1100 New Grady Brown Rd
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 schools in Hillsborough, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Hillsborough, NC include The Expedition School, Eno River Academy and Cedar Ridge High School. Hillsborough has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public schools are located in Hillsborough?
12 public schools are located in Hillsborough.
What percentage of students in Hillsborough go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Hillsborough are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Hillsborough?
Hillsborough public schools minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Hillsborough are often viewed compared to one another?

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