Many people know each other in this small rural community. That’s also true inside the school.

Hillsboro Elementary principal Dave Michener said almost everyone inside the school knows the name of each student in the school. The school – along with its 135 students – are located in eastern Loudoun County in the community of Hillsboro.

“Teachers and the staff know all of the students very well,” Michener said.

Students have several clubs available through the school’s PTO, including sports and cooking.

Michener said parents are also heavily involved in assisting students and teachers. The PTA organizes an auction each year to help raise money for the school.

“We have quite a few parent volunteers who come to the school,” Michener said.

Some state assessment scores at the school were lower than those of the district average in 2005. For example, about 62 percent of third-graders were proficient in reading, compared to the district average of nearly 82 percent.

For fifth-graders, about 72 percent at Hillsboro students were proficient in reading, compared to the district average of 90 percent.

While the school ranked lower than the district average in science proficiency, it surpassed the average in social studies.

Like other schools in the district, Hillsboro Elementary has a technology resource teacher who helps teachers integrate technology into their curriculum. For example, students are required to complete a PowerPoint presentation in each grade level.

Michener said the community gathers for a picnic before the school year begins and after the school year ends. He said the annual picnics bring students, parents and teachers together.

“We are proud that the school is a key part of this community,” he said.