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Very Good

#930 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 35% in state

Orange High

High School · Orange County Schools

500 Orange High Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Enrollment

1,220

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#930 of 2,648

In Hillsborough

#6 of 12

public schools

In district

#5 of 13

Orange County Schools

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Orange High

7.1/10

High School in Hillsborough · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Orange Middle

6.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hillsborough Christian Academy

6.5/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Orange High

Orange High is a public high school in Hillsborough, NC, part of Orange County Schools. Orange High serves approximately 1,220 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Orange High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #930 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Orange High show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.4
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

30% of students at Orange High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+19.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College Readiness6.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate84%
AP Participation19.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,399
Chronic Absenteeism30.2%

Orange High — Students at Orange High score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 60.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
84%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
56%
2014
Math
38%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
63%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
58%
2025
Math
75.2%
ELA
54.6%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Orange High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
65th percentile in NC
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
6.8/10
Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
20
10 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
77 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
19.4% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics20sports offered
10 boys'·10 girls'·30 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

500 Orange High Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Orange High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cedar Ridge High (rated 7.6/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Partnership Academy (rated 4.5/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hillsborough, see our Hillsborough schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Orange Middle Hillsborough 0.2 mi 6.7
HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough 0.5 mi 6.5
Eno River Academy Hillsborough 0.9 mi 8.1
River Park Elementary Hillsborough 1.1 mi 6.9
Pathways Elementary Hillsborough 1.3 mi 7.2
Hillsborough Elementary Hillsborough 1.2 mi 8.8
Central Elementary Hillsborough 1.4 mi 5.9
The Expedition School Hillsborough 1.9 mi 9.5
Partnership Academy Hillsborough 2.1 mi 4.5
Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough 3.2 mi 7.6
Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough 3.4 mi 4.9
A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough 4.6 mi 5.9
New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill 5.2 mi 5.3
Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland 5.3 mi 7.6
Gravelly Hill Middle Efland 6.0 mi 5.3
EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill 7.4 mi 7.0
CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham 7.1 mi 7.7
Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill 8.7 mi 8.9
TRIANGLE DAY SCHOOL Durham 8.1 mi 7.2
Forest View Elementary Durham 9.2 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alexander Central High Taylorsville, NC 7.1
Gray Stone Day Misenheimer, NC 7.1
High Point Central High High Point, NC 7.1
Ledford Senior High Thomasville, NC 7.1
Montgomery Central High Troy, NC 7.1
North Lincoln High Lincolnton, NC 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Orange High

What grades does Orange High serve?

Orange High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Orange High?

Orange High has an enrollment of approximately 1,220 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Orange High?

The student-teacher ratio at Orange High is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Orange High rank in NC?

Orange High ranks #930 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Orange High's MySchoolScout rating?

Orange High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Orange High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Orange High has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Orange High a charter school?

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

Is Orange High a Title I school?

No, Orange High is not currently a Title I school.

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

42.3% of students at Orange 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,220
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
77
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Orange County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.2%
4-Year Graduation
84.0%

District

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

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