Best Public Schools in Zip Code 27278

The 27278 zip code area in North Carolina is home to 12 schools, including 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 1 alternative school, all part of the Orange County Schools district. While the district is ranked 125 out of 242 in the state, the data reveals stark contrasts in the academic performance of these schools.

Two standout schools in the area are Hillsborough Elementary, ranked 108 out of 1,505 elementary schools in North Carolina with a 5-star rating, and The Expedition School, a public charter elementary/middle school ranked 56 out of 1,505 and also with a 5-star rating. These high-performing schools consistently excel on state assessments, with proficiency rates well above the state and district averages. In contrast, schools like Central Elementary and Grady Brown Elementary struggle to meet state and district standards.

The data suggests a correlation between the socioeconomic status of the student population, as measured by free and reduced-price lunch rates, and academic performance. Schools with higher percentages of economically disadvantaged students tend to have lower proficiency rates on state assessments. Additionally, the significant variation in spending per student across the schools may indicate funding inequities that could contribute to the performance gaps observed. The presence of public charter schools, like The Expedition School, provides families with additional educational options beyond the traditional public school system, which appear to be outperforming their counterparts.