Below Average
#2226 of 2,648 schools in NC
Orange High
High School · Orange County Schools
500 Orange High Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Enrollment
1,220
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,220
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hillsborough
#12 of 12
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#386 of 579
In district
#13 of 13
Orange County Schools
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Orange High
Orange High serves 1,220 students in grades 9-12 in Hillsborough, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 among its 77 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks in the 66th percentile statewide at #913 out of 2,661 North Carolina high schools. Academically, Orange High demonstrates solid performance with 55% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 52% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school's academic score of 7.5 out of 10 reflects steady educational outcomes that serve the community well. The school draws from an affluent and educated community in the 27278 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $94,525 and 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of just 6.8% and median home values of $355,700, the area reflects strong community investment in education.
Orange High is situated in Hillsborough, a charming town on the fringe of an urban area in Orange County, providing students with both small-town character and access to broader metropolitan opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Orange High — Students at Orange High score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.7/10.
How Orange High Compares
See how Orange High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 28.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 55% (2019) to 54.6% (2025).
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. Partnership Academy (rated 5.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cedar Ridge High (rated 5.8/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.4 |
| HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Eno River Academy Hillsborough | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| River Park Elementary Hillsborough | 1.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Pathways Elementary Hillsborough | 1.3 mi | 9.4 |
| Hillsborough Elementary Hillsborough | 1.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Central Elementary Hillsborough | 1.4 mi | 7.9 |
| The Expedition School Hillsborough | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Partnership Academy Hillsborough | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough | 3.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough | 3.4 mi | 8.2 |
| A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough | 4.6 mi | 6.5 |
| New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill | 5.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland | 5.3 mi | 9.2 |
| Gravelly Hill Middle Efland | 6.0 mi | 7.4 |
| 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 | 8.8 |
| TRIANGLE DAY SCHOOL Durham | 8.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Forest View Elementary Durham | 9.2 mi | 6.6 |
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 Orange 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 |
|---|---|
| Bandys High Catawba, NC | 4.8 |
| Enka High Candler, NC | 4.8 |
| Jay M Robinson High Concord, NC | 4.8 |
| John M Morehead High Eden, NC | 4.8 |
| Jordan Matthews High Siler City, NC | 4.8 |
| Midway High Newton Grove, NC | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #2226 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Orange High's MySchoolScout rating?
Orange High has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Orange High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orange High has 48.1% math proficiency and 55.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hillsborough). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 732-6133
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Orange County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,067
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,399
- District Rank
- #13 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.