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Average

#1743 of 2,648 schools in NC

Cedar Ridge High

High School · Orange County Schools

1125 New Grady Brown Sch Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Enrollment

1,118

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hillsborough

#10 of 12

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#219 of 579

In district

#11 of 13

Orange County Schools

About Cedar Ridge High

Cedar Ridge High serves 1,118 students in grades 9-12 in Hillsborough, North Carolina, offering a solid educational foundation with a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1 and 63 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks in the 70th percentile statewide at #787 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, reflecting steady academic performance. Academically, Cedar Ridge High demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, with 66% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

Math performance shows 54% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating opportunities for continued growth in STEM subjects. The school's overall academic score of 8.1 out of 10 suggests a commitment to student achievement and learning outcomes. The school draws families from an educated and economically stable community, where 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $94,525.

With a low poverty rate of 6.8% and median home values of $355,700, the surrounding area reflects a well-established residential community that values education. Cedar Ridge High is situated in Hillsborough, a charming town on the fringe of an urban area in Orange County, providing students with both small-town atmosphere and access to broader metropolitan opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.7%
Math vs. State Avg-21.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.1 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected-10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.4%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,085

Cedar Ridge High — Students at Cedar Ridge High score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.1%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
63%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
34.3%
ELA
65.7%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.9/10.

How Cedar Ridge High Compares

See how Cedar Ridge High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
34th percentile in NC
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
63 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
11.4% participation·106 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1125 New Grady Brown Sch Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cedar Ridge High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Chapel Hill High (rated 6.6/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Chapel Hill), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Partnership Academy (rated 5.8/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Orange High (rated 4.8/10, 3.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hillsborough, see our Hillsborough schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough 0.2 mi 8.2
The Expedition School Hillsborough 1.3 mi 7.9
Central Elementary Hillsborough 1.9 mi 7.9
Hillsborough Elementary Hillsborough 2.0 mi 9.0
River Park Elementary Hillsborough 2.4 mi 8.8
Partnership Academy Hillsborough 2.6 mi 5.8
Orange Middle Hillsborough 3.0 mi 7.4
HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough 3.0 mi 6.5
Orange High Hillsborough 3.2 mi 4.8
A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough 3.3 mi 6.5
Eno River Academy Hillsborough 3.8 mi 6.5
Pathways Elementary Hillsborough 4.1 mi 9.4
New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill 3.7 mi 8.8
Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland 4.0 mi 9.2
Gravelly Hill Middle Efland 4.2 mi 7.4
EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill 5.4 mi 7.0
Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill 6.2 mi 8.8
CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham 6.6 mi 7.7
Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill 7.9 mi 6.6
Smith Middle Chapel Hill 8.2 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27278 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,821

Median Home Value

$380,000

Median Rent

$1,294/mo

Population

28,546

College Educated

53.8%

Homeownership

77.3%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

44.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cedar Ridge High has a median household income of $101,821. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $380,000, with a median rent of $1,294/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Rocky Mount High Rocky Mount, NC 5.8
Smithfield-Selma High Smithfield, NC 5.8
Alexander Central High Taylorsville, NC 5.7
Charles B Aycock High Pikeville, NC 5.7
North Buncombe High Weaverville, NC 5.7
West Henderson High Hendersonville, NC 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cedar Ridge High

What grades does Cedar Ridge High serve?

Cedar Ridge High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Cedar Ridge High?

Cedar Ridge High has an enrollment of approximately 1,118 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cedar Ridge High?

The student-teacher ratio at Cedar Ridge High is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cedar Ridge High rank in NC?

Cedar Ridge High is ranked #1743 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Cedar Ridge High's MySchoolScout rating?

Cedar Ridge High has a composite rating of 5.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Cedar Ridge High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cedar Ridge High has 58.1% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cedar Ridge High a charter school?

No, Cedar Ridge High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cedar Ridge High a Title I school?

No, Cedar Ridge High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cedar Ridge High?

44.5% of students at Cedar Ridge High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,904/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hillsborough). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,118
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
63
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Orange County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Orange County Schools
District Enrollment
7,067
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,399
District Rank
#11 of 13

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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