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Old Orange County Courthouse, Hillsborough, NCPhoto: Leah Rucker · CC BY-SA 3.0
B−
Schools in Hillsborough · Orange County Schools

Hillsborough’s public schools outscore 50% of North Carolina districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Hillsborough, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.

#158of 290 North Carolina townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
46%
▼ 4 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
49%
▼ 2 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
88%
▲ 2 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.8K
▲ 14% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.4
NC 16.0 · smaller classes
Schools in town
6
5,105 students on the public path
In brief

Hillsborough’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 198 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Hillsborough’s, its schools beat 39%, lower than their 50% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 49% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,829 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Eno River Academy and The Expedition School are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Hillsborough’s grade

B− Test scoresB Graduation

B−: better than 50% of North Carolina school districts, #158 of 290 North Carolina towns. Graduation is above the North Carolina average; test scores are below it.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 50%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (198)Better than 39%
B−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,658 test results and a graduating class of 621 could put Hillsborough anywhere from B− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Hillsborough’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,553 in math, 3,763 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Hillsborough, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressD to A−
6–83 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC− to B−
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A

Hillsborough’s public schools are run by Orange County Schools, which also serves Mebane. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Orange County SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 13 schools · 6,982 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 15.4 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$14,829NC $13,045 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading46%
State average 49.9% · 3763 students tested
Math49%
State average 50.8% · 3553 students tested

Hillsborough vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Hillsborough’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
HillsboroughB−Orange County Schools

Every school in Hillsborough

11 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Hillsboroughby address
River Park Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
523 students14:1Rate it →
Hillsborough Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A−
435 students15:1Rate it →
Central Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
261 students11:1Rate it →
Also serving Hillsboroughin other towns
A L Stanback Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
648 students14:1Rate it →
Orange Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
514 students13:1Rate it →
Gravelly Hill Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Efland
C−
415 students13:1Rate it →
Orange High
High · Grades 9–12
A−
1,161 students20:1Rate it →
Cedar Ridge High
High · Grades 9–12
A
1,148 students24:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Partnership Academy
High · Grades 9–12
C−
Alternative Education
40 students11:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Eno River Academy
Grades K–12
A
Charter
828 students13:1Rate it →
The Expedition School
Elementary · Grades K–8
A+
Charter
380 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Hillsborough’s schools

Are Hillsborough’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Hillsborough children attend outscore 50% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #158 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 39%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Hillsborough in?

Orange County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,982 students in 13 schools (2024–25).

Where do Hillsborough kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Orange High and Cedar Ridge High.

What is Hillsborough’s graduation rate?

88% of the class of 2023 in Orange County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.

How much does Hillsborough spend per student?

$14,829 in Orange County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Hillsborough families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hillsborough → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.