Orange County Schools

The Orange County Schools district in North Carolina serves a diverse population of students across 13 schools, including 7 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 1 alternative high school. The district's performance is mixed, with some standout schools like Hillsborough Elementary and Cedar Ridge High consistently ranking among the top in the state, while others struggle with lower test scores and higher poverty rates.

Hillsborough Elementary and River Park Elementary are the district's top-performing elementary schools, with strong test scores and high ratings from SchoolDigger. At the high school level, Cedar Ridge High stands out as the highest-ranked school in the district, placing in the top 50% of North Carolina high schools. However, the district's middle schools appear to be an area of focus, with several schools performing below state averages on assessments.

The data also reveals a clear correlation between poverty and academic performance, with schools serving higher percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch tending to have lower test scores. This suggests that addressing the challenges faced by high-poverty schools and ensuring equitable access to quality education will be crucial for the district's continued success. Additionally, the significant variation in spending per student, from $9,879 at Orange High to $22,657 at Partnership Academy, may indicate funding disparities that could contribute to achievement gaps.