Become a Dolphin

Teacher and student at desk, teacher is smiling at student

We are so glad that you are considering Hillsborough Elementary School for your family.

We truly believe that HES is a special place where students, families and staff share a feeling of safety and belonging. At HES, we foster a culture of mutual respect and understanding, hold high expectations for all of our students, recognize and teach the whole child, inspire joy for learning through authentic and engaging instruction and prepare students to be productive and resourceful leaders in a diverse world.

We believe in being honest and compassionate; accepting responsibility for our actions; respect not only ourselves but others and their property, working together as a team and always striving to do our best!

Hillsborough Elementary is a School of Choice and the only school that operates on a year-round calendar in Orange County Schools. We are a single-track year-round school with a balanced calendar.What is a balanced calendar? With a balanced calendar, students receive the same amount of instructional time as students on the traditional calendar, however, the days are distributed in a way that provides families and staff a more balanced lifestyle - promoting better mental health and higher academic performance.

Here's how the balanced calendar works:

Students start school in mid-July with four multi-week breaks or intersessions: three weeks for fall, winter and spring breaks; five week break for the summer. By providing students with these break, they are able to take time throughout the year to rest and recharge, leading to better retention of the material and improved academic performance.

Graphic of the Hillsborough Elementary Balanced calendar

The Application Process

Students must be five (5) years old on or before August 31 in order to be eligible to enter Kindergarten in any Orange County School.

The application window for the 2025-26 school year is closed.

1. Schedule a Tour

2. Gather Your Documents

3. Submit your Application!

4. Check email for Application Status

Parents with students selected to attend Hillsborough Elementary will be notified via the email provided in the application;

Families will notified of the decision in March 2025.
Once an applicant is offered a seat, the parent/guardian will have three (3) business days after receiving the notification to accept or decline the seat.
Seats not accepted by the deadline will be automatically declined.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, you will find some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you have additional questions or need more information, please contact us.

What are the benefits of year-round school?

Do you offer transportation?

What is an intersession?

What does my student do during intersessions? Are there childcare options?

Is there an afterschool program offered at HES?

When does kindergarten orientation take place?

When does school start?

Please refer to the HES year-round calendar for the start date. Families should schedule vacations during intersession.

Kindergarten students will stagger entry. Meaning one-half of the kindergarten class will come on the first day, then they will stay home on the second day. The remaining one-half of the kindergarten class will come to school on the second day and stay home the first day. All kindergarten students would report on the third day of school. Staggered entry is to help kindergarten students transition and learn routines.

The school will communicate which day your child is scheduled to start school. All other grades should report on the first day of school.

Just moved to the area?

You can apply to HES within ten (10) days of moving to Orange County Schools for the current school year.

In addition to completing the OCS Enrollment Application, you will need to send an email to our school's principal, Jessica Nagy or Joy Toellen in the Office of Student Assignment indicating your choice to apply to HES.

From OCS School Board Policy 4125.3.B.1: "Families that have moved to the school district after or fewer than ten days prior to the posted deadline may apply for a transfer within ten days of their receipt of written notice of the student’s school assignment."

Therefore, please contact the school or office of student assignment if you anticipate moving to this area and then officially 10 days of moving to the Orange County School District to make your request for enrollment at Hillsborough Elementary School.