For the 2026-27 school year, there are 10 public high schools serving 7,871 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 75% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 77% (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 91%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is East Chapel Hill High School, with 97% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Orange County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Chapel Hill High 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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,608 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #22.
East Chapel Hill High 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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,419 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #33.
Carrboro High 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
Gr: 9-12 | 885 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #44.
Woods Charter
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
Gr: K-12 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #55.
Eno River Academy
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
Gr: K-12 | 828 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #66.
Cedar Ridge High 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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,148 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #77.
Orange High 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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,161 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #88.
Phoenix Academy High School
Alternative 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
Gr: 8-12 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #99.
Partnership Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
920 Corporate Drive
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4030
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4030
Gr: 9-12 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Orange County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1713 Legion Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 537-0740
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 537-0740
Gr: K-8 | 80 students Minority enrollment: 57%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 106 students Minority enrollment: 29%
308 Nc 54
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 933-7699
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 933-7699
Gr: 9-12 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
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?
12 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 46% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
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
Recent Articles
How Often Does Your Child's School Change Teachers Between Grade Levels?
Learn how teacher movement between grade levels affects continuity, experience, instruction, and school stability, plus the questions parents should ask about staffing patterns before choosing a public school today.
The School Pickup Test: What Arrival and Dismissal Reveal About a Public School
Discover what school arrival and dismissal reveal about safety, supervision, organization, communication, student behavior, transportation, and school climate before choosing the right public school for your child and family.
Should Siblings Attend the Same Public School?
Should siblings attend the same public school? Learn when academic needs, learning styles, programs, social fit, support services, and individual interests may make different schools better choices for children.
