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Average

#1158 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 44% in state

Orange Middle

Middle School · Orange County Schools

308 Orange High Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Enrollment

529

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,158 of 2,648

In Hillsborough

#8 of 12

public schools

In district

#7 of 13

Orange County Schools

School environment

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Orange Middle

6.7/10

Middle School in Hillsborough · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Orange High

7.1/10

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

Hillsborough Christian Academy

6.5/10

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

About Orange Middle

Orange Middle is a public middle school in Hillsborough, NC, part of Orange County Schools. Orange Middle serves approximately 529 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Orange Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,158 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Orange Middle show 58% 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 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • NC avg 5.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.1% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+4.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9 pts
Overall Proficiency62% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,399
Chronic Absenteeism21.7%

Orange Middle — Students at Orange Middle score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 60.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
85%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
48%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
46%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
49%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
56%
2016
Math
59%
ELA
58%
2017
Math
53%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
49%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
49%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
38%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
55.3%
ELA
48.7%
2025
Math
62%
ELA
61.1%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Orange Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in NC
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.7%

Programs & Offerings

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

308 Orange High Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Orange Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. A L Stanback Middle (rated 5.9/10, 4.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Gravelly Hill Middle (rated 5.3/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Efland), a more accessible option. 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 7.1
HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough 0.3 mi 6.5
River Park Elementary Hillsborough 0.9 mi 6.9
Eno River Academy Hillsborough 1.1 mi 8.1
Hillsborough Elementary Hillsborough 1.1 mi 8.8
Central Elementary Hillsborough 1.3 mi 5.9
Pathways Elementary Hillsborough 1.5 mi 7.2
The Expedition School Hillsborough 1.7 mi 9.5
Partnership Academy Hillsborough 1.9 mi 4.5
Cedar Ridge High Hillsborough 3.0 mi 7.6
Grady Brown Elementary Hillsborough 3.2 mi 4.9
A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough 4.4 mi 5.9
New Hope Elementary Chapel Hill 4.9 mi 5.3
Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland 5.3 mi 7.6
EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL Chapel Hill 7.1 mi 7.0
Gravelly Hill Middle Efland 5.9 mi 5.3
CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL Durham 6.9 mi 7.7
Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill 8.5 mi 8.9
TRIANGLE DAY SCHOOL Durham 8.0 mi 7.2
Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill 9.9 mi 8.2

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
Brevard Middle Brevard, NC 6.7
Mountain View Intermediate Franklin, NC 6.7
North Davidson Middle Lexington, NC 6.7
Shallotte Middle Shallotte, NC 6.7
Woodland Heights Middle Mooresville, NC 6.7
Chase Middle School Forest City, NC 6.8

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 ranks #1,158 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Orange Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Orange Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Orange Middle has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.7%

District

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

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