For the 2024-25 school year, there are 11 public high schools serving 7,750 students in Orange County, NC. The top ranked public high schools in Orange County, NC are Chapel Hill High School, East Chapel Hill High School and Carrboro High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Orange County, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 78% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 78% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Orange County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public high schools.
Orange County, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 92%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Chapel Hill High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Orange County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Chapel Hill High School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9217 Seawell School Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 929-2106
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 929-2106
Grades: 9-12
| 1,597 students
Rank: #22.
East Chapel Hill High School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
500 Weaver Dairy Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 969-2482
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 969-2482
Grades: 9-12
| 1,447 students
Rank: #33.
Carrboro High School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
201 Rock Haven Rd
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 918-2200
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 918-2200
Grades: 9-12
| 870 students
Rank: #44.
Woods Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
160 Woodland Grove Ln
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 960-8353
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 960-8353
Grades: K-12
| 508 students
Rank: #55.
Eno River Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1212 Nc Highway 57 North
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-6272
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-6272
Grades: K-12
| 782 students
Rank: #66.
Cedar Ridge High School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1125 New Grady Brown Sch Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4000
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4000
Grades: 9-12
| 1,104 students
Rank: #77.
Orange High School
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
500 Orange High Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6133
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-6133
Grades: 9-12
| 1,341 students
Rank: #88.
Phoenix Academy High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
750 S Merritt Mill Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-2300
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-2300
Grades: 8-12
| 25 students
Rank: #99.
Partnership Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1006 East Storey Lane
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4030
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4030
Grades: 9-12
| 37 students
Rank: n/an/a
Unc Hospital School
Magnet School
101 Manning Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 966-5009
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 966-5009
Grades: PK-13
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Virtual Academy School
Magnet School
750 S Merritt Mill Rd, Chapel
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-8211
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-8211
Grades: 9-12
| 39 students
Orange County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Chapel Hill Free Academy (Closed 2004)
Charter School
1713 Legion Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 537-0740
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 537-0740
Grades: K-8
| 80 students
New Century Charter High School (Closed 2005)
Charter School
1315-a New Hope Trace
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-7722
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-7722
Grades: 9-12
| 106 students
920 Corporate Dr
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-8126
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-8126
Grades: K-12
| 182 students
Pace Academy (Closed 2016)
Charter School
308 Nc 54
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 933-7699
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 933-7699
Grades: 9-12
| 111 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Orange County, NC?
The top ranked public high schools in Orange County, NC include Chapel Hill High School, East Chapel Hill High School and Carrboro High School. Orange County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public high schools are located in Orange County?
11 public high schools are located in Orange County.
What is the racial composition of students in Orange County?
Orange County public high schools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Orange County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Orange County include: Orange High School vs. Cedar Ridge High School, Cedar Ridge High School vs. Orange High School, East Chapel Hill High School vs. Chapel Hill High School
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