Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Pathways Elementary

Q: Is Pathways Elementary a good school?

Pathways Elementary ranks 198 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

198^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 87% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Pathways Elementary in Hillsborough, NC, is a moderately sized PK–5 school serving 371 students as part of Orange County Schools. What makes this school stand out is its stunning recent turnaround: after years of middling performance, Pathways has climbed from the 44th percentile statewide in 2022–23 to the 87th percentile in 2025–26, earning 4-star ratings and ranking 198th out of 1,492 elementary schools. This improvement is especially notable because about 54% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, yet the school now outperforms district and state averages in every grade and subject tested.

Academically, Pathways has become a regional powerhouse. Its 5th grade science proficiency hit 89.8% in 2025–26, well above the state (67.7%) and even surpassing Hillsborough Elementary (82.4%), a school with far less poverty. Math and reading scores are consistently strong too—for example, 4th grade math proficiency is 82.5%, nearly matching Hillsborough Elementary’s 82.6% despite Pathways serving triple the rate of low-income students. The school also shines with underserved groups: Hispanic students rank in the 91st percentile statewide, and special education students sit in the 90th. This broad-based success suggests real schoolwide effectiveness, not just one strong cohort.

What makes the achievement even more impressive is the contrast with nearby high-poverty schools. Just 2.2 miles away, Central Elementary also serves a nearly 99% free/reduced lunch population, but its 3rd grade reading proficiency is 43.2% versus Pathways’ 67.4%, and Central ranks in the 30th percentile statewide. Pathways is clearly adding significant value. The one caveat is rising chronic absenteeism, which hit 25.6% in 2024–25—above the state average and a trend that could threaten future momentum. For now, though, Pathways has transformed itself into a top-tier school that outperforms many wealthier neighbors, and its results point to a thriving, equitable learning environment.

371

Students ?

13.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

54.4%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

431 Strouds Creek Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278

(919) 732-9136

District: Orange County Schools

Students who attend Pathways Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Orange Middle
High:	Orange High

Racial breakdown:

White:

55.0%

African American:

17.8%

Hispanic:

15.4%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Pathways Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 65th percentile in 2016 → 87th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the North Carolina average (76% vs 61% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 13% of North Carolina elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 22 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school76%

District avg67%

North Carolina avg61%

198^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 13%▲ up 22 pts since 2016

From top 35% (2016) to top 13% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

69^th of 246Orange County Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	83.5	198 of 1492	86.7%	★★★★☆
2025	80.8	238 of 1490	84.0%	★★★★☆
2024	52.0	715 of 1505	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	45.3	841 of 1502	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	42.1	880 of 1514	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.3	1008 of 1489	32.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	43.5	867 of 1473	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	38.5	946 of 1434	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	54.4	675 of 1429	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	63.8	501 of 1425	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2015	59.7	578 of 1440	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	75.0	312 of 1390	77.6%	★★★★☆
2013	59.1	534 of 1403	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2012	63.2	543 of 1388	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2011	57.3	657 of 1381	52.4%	★★★☆☆
2010	55.4	692 of 1363	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2009	69.7	407 of 1354	69.9%	★★★★☆
2008	69.8	352 of 1324	73.4%	★★★★☆
2007	71.4	317 of 1293	75.5%	★★★★☆
2006	68.8	359 of 1276	71.9%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	58.6	317 of 903	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.4	354 of 918	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	14.9	881 of 933	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	29.9	701 of 927	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	17.5	849 of 896	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	45.4	514 of 949	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	32.7	681 of 927	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	28.7	692 of 878	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	28.9	703 of 897	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	77.6	257 of 1447	82.2%	★★★★☆
2025	72.5	326 of 1451	77.5%	★★★★☆
2024	50.9	700 of 1455	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.5	669 of 1459	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.5	696 of 1458	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	35.1	908 of 1440	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	37.9	940 of 1424	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	35.1	1009 of 1405	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	68.8	105 of 743	85.9%	★★★★☆
2025	63.7	237 of 710	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.9	484 of 669	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	49.4	438 of 582	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	26.9	438 of 494	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	52.6	421 of 612	31.2%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	83.9	90 of 981	90.8%	★★★★★
2018	6.3	844 of 851	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	69.3	316 of 1434	78.0%	★★★★☆
2025	77.3	197 of 1437	86.3%	★★★★☆
2024	30.9	1103 of 1450	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	24.7	1178 of 1437	18.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	46.3	726 of 1366	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	21.6	1111 of 1329	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	21.5	1173 of 1361	13.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	13.5	1261 of 1332	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	84.7	170 of 1451	88.3%	★★★★☆
2025	83.6	186 of 1450	87.2%	★★★★☆
2024	50.2	742 of 1464	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.8	937 of 1461	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	36.0	960 of 1464	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	28.9	1008 of 1444	30.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	49.5	750 of 1430	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	42.9	880 of 1413	37.7%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	77.5	85 of 821	89.6%	★★★★☆
2024	62.1	194 of 801	75.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	77.2	237 of 1146	79.3%	★★★★☆
2025	76.1	239 of 1172	79.6%	★★★★☆
2024	43.9	703 of 1166	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	35.9	829 of 1183	29.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	31.8	894 of 1194	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	22.5	983 of 1172	16.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	40.9	755 of 1183	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	32.5	899 of 1178	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Hispanic (2026)91st percentile+4 vs school

Special Education (2025)90th percentile+6 vs school

Male (2026)88th percentile~ school

Gifted and Talented (2026)86th percentile~ school

Female (2026)82nd percentile-4 vs school

White (2026)79th percentile-7 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)78th percentile-9 vs school

African American (2026)65th percentile-22 vs school

Disabled (2019)21st percentile-20 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science90%+22 vs state

Mathematics79%+16 vs state

Reading68%+12 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Pathways Elementary

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, March 5, 2017

Great school with awesome teachers! We are very blessed to have our kids attend Pathways. Close Quote

Schools Near Pathways Elementary

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)						EOG Reading (2026)						EOG Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Pathways Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	431 Strouds Creek Road	Hillsborough	27278	Orange County	Orange County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 732-9136	371	27	13.7	54.4%	204 (55.0%)	66 (17.8%)	57 (15.4%)	6 (1.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (10.0%)	83.5	198^th of 1492 public elementary schools	86.7%		80.8	238^th of 1490 public elementary schools	84.0%	40	80.4	82.5	75.5				67.4	65.0	71.4				89.8		$14,700	$1,138	$13,561
Hillsborough Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	402 North Nash Street	Hillsborough	27278	Orange County	Orange County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 732-6137	435	30	14.6	17.5%	337 (77.5%)	28 (6.4%)	30 (6.9%)	11 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (6.7%)	90.8	103^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	93.1%		90.8	98^th of 1490 public elementary schools	93.4%	5	87.5	82.6	86.5				76.7	75.4	81.1				82.4		$11,531	$386	$11,145
Central Elementary	Public	K-5	154 Hayes St	Hillsborough	27278	Orange County	Orange County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 732-3622	261	23	11.1	—	105 (40.2%)	72 (27.6%)	63 (24.1%)	4 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (6.5%)	33.4	1038^th of 1492 public elementary schools	30.4%		34.1	1017^th of 1490 public elementary schools	31.7%	21	48.6	58.7	47.5				43.2	43.5	52.5				65.0		$14,465	$1,168	$13,297
River Park Elementary	Public	K-5	240 St. Mary's Road	Hillsborough	27278	Orange County	Orange County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 732-9326	523	36	14.4	37.5%	309 (59.1%)	27 (5.2%)	131 (25.0%)	10 (1.9%)	6 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (7.6%)	76.5	296^th of 1492 public elementary schools	80.2%		81	234^th of 1490 public elementary schools	84.3%	62	66.3	75.0	80.9				66.3	70.0	67.0				76.6		$10,994	$454	$10,540
The Expedition School	Public, Charter	K-8	437 Dimmocks Mill Rd Ste 33	Hillsborough	27278	Orange County	The Expedition School	Yes	No	No	No	(919) 245-8432	380	29	13.1	—	282 (74.2%)	14 (3.7%)	37 (9.7%)	17 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	28 (7.4%)	94.5	52^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	96.5%		95.1	52^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	96.5%		78.0	97.7	81.4	90.7	97.6	97.4	90.2	90.9	86.0	90.7	97.6	94.7	90.7	100.0
Grady Brown Elementary	Public	K-5	1100 New Grady Brown Rd	Hillsborough	27278	Orange County	Orange County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 732-6138	406	31	13.2	59.6%	170 (41.9%)	46 (11.3%)	146 (36.0%)	12 (3.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (7.6%)	58.3	610^th of 1492 public elementary schools	59.1%		49.3	757^th of 1490 public elementary schools	49.2%	147	66.7	67.7	65.7				55.6	64.5	52.9				67.1		$12,441	$1,012	$11,429
Efland Cheeks Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4401 Fuller Rd	Efland	27243	Orange County	Orange County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 245-4042	532	36	14.7	—	175 (32.9%)	129 (24.2%)	154 (28.9%)	26 (4.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (8.8%)	63.4	529^th of 1492 public elementary schools	64.5%		61.9	533^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	64.2%	4	67.4	82.4	65.6				51.7	75.3	54.2				68.0		$11,292	$882	$10,410
New Hope Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1900 New Hope Church Rd	Chapel Hill	27514	Orange County	Orange County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(919) 942-9696	528	46	11.5	—	142 (26.9%)	62 (11.7%)	273 (51.7%)	10 (1.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (7.6%)	48.6	756^th of 1492 public elementary schools	49.3%		47.4	791^st of 1490 public elementary schools	46.9%	35	68.6	70.2	65.3				43.0	46.8	50.7				66.7		$13,203	$1,160	$12,043
Carolina Achieve	Public, Charter	K-2	6920 West Ten Rd	Mebane	27302	Alamance County	Carolina Achieve	Yes	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(919) 964-2158	0			—															(n/a)
E M Yoder Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	301 N Charles Street	Mebane	27302	Alamance County	Alamance-Burlington Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 563-3722	336	26	13.0	51.5%	179 (53.3%)	66 (19.6%)	45 (13.4%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (13.1%)	62.8	538^th of 1492 public elementary schools	63.9%		60.3	561^st of 1490 public elementary schools	62.3%	23	58.8	57.8	74.5				59.6	66.7	68.1				70.2		$10,935	$817	$10,118

Frequently Asked Questions about Pathways Elementary

Is Pathways Elementary a good school?

Pathways Elementary ranks 198^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Pathways Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 371 students attended Pathways Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Pathways Elementary?

Students at Pathways Elementary are 55% White, 18% African American, 15% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What district is Pathways Elementary in?

Orange County Schools

What schools do graduates of Pathways Elementary attend?

Students who attend Pathways Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Orange Middle
High : Orange High

Rate Pathways Elementary!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

NCNorth Carolina Elementary School Rankings

NCNorth Carolina District Rankings

Schools in Hillsborough, NC

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Pathways Elementary!

Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.