Very Good
#793 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 30% in state
Orange Middle
Middle School · Orange County Schools
308 Orange High Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hillsborough
#7 of 12
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#82 of 475
In district
#8 of 13
Orange County Schools
Academic performance
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Orange Middle
Orange Middle, located in Hillsborough, North Carolina, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 529 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1, the school offers individualized attention to help each student succeed. The faculty consists of 34 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, Orange Middle has a score of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks at #972 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it near the 64th percentile overall. The school's academic performance, as measured by state tests, shows that 58% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 56% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth.
Situated at 308 Orange High Rd, Orange Middle is located in a town on the fringe of an urban area, offering both a close-knit community feel and access to nearby amenities and resources.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Orange Middle — Students at Orange Middle score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.3/10.
How Orange Middle Compares
See how Orange Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 62.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 61.2% (2025).
Location
308 Orange High Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Orange Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Gravelly Hill Middle (rated 7.4/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Efland), with a very similar rating. Additionally, A L Stanback Middle (rated 6.5/10, 4.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hillsborough, see our Hillsborough schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Orange High Hillsborough | 0.2 mi | 4.8 |
| HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| River Park Elementary Hillsborough | 0.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Eno River Academy Hillsborough | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Hillsborough Elementary Hillsborough | 1.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Central Elementary Hillsborough | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Pathways Elementary Hillsborough | 1.5 mi | 9.4 |
| The Expedition School Hillsborough | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Partnership Academy Hillsborough | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough | 3.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough | 4.4 mi | 6.5 |
| New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill | 4.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland | 5.3 mi | 9.2 |
| EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill | 7.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Gravelly Hill Middle Efland | 5.9 mi | 7.4 |
| CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham | 6.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill | 8.5 mi | 8.8 |
| TRIANGLE DAY SCHOOL Durham | 8.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill | 9.9 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Camden Middle Camden, NC | 7.4 |
| Gravelly Hill Middle Efland, NC | 7.4 |
| Grover C Fields Middle New Bern, NC | 7.4 |
| Hendersonville Middle Hendersonville, NC | 7.4 |
| Phillips Middle Chapel Hill, NC | 7.4 |
| Selma Middle School Selma, NC | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Orange Middle
What grades does Orange Middle serve?
Orange Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Orange Middle?
Orange Middle has an enrollment of approximately 529 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Orange Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Orange Middle is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Orange Middle rank in NC?
Orange Middle is ranked #793 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Orange Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Orange Middle has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orange Middle has 55.8% math proficiency and 57.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Orange Middle a charter school?
No, Orange Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Orange Middle a Title I school?
No, Orange Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Orange Middle?
40.5% of students at Orange Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 529
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Orange County
- Phone
- (919) 732-6121
- 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
- #8 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
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