Orange County Schools, NC

Orange County Schools, NC Orange County Schools is committed to being the first choice for families. Official district account. All comments are subject to review by OCS moderators.

Welcome

Welcome to the official page of Orange County Schools (OCS). The purpose of this site is to present matters of public interest concerning OCS programs, activities, news, and events. For additional information about OCS, please check out the Orange County Schools website or the website of any particular school. Visit http://www.orangecountyfirst.com/communications for our Social M

edia Guidelines, Comment Policy, Rules of Civility and Decorum, and other important information about this page.

++++++++++++++


Comment Policy
_________________

We welcome comments from students, parents, and members of the community. Please note, however, that this is a moderated discussion site and not a public forum for the discussion of any and all subjects. While comments will not be edited or screened for viewpoint, OCS reserves the right to remove any comment that includes any of the following:

* Points unrelated to the purpose and subject of the main post. All comments to any particular post should be germane to that post. Commenters who wish to offer input on school system matters not addressed on our page are encouraged to contact the school, central office administration, or Board of Education, as appropriate, or to sign up to offer public comment at a regular business meeting of the Board.

* Complaints, concerns, or confidential information about individual students or employees. To protect the privacy and due process rights of our students and employees, OCS handles complaints and concerns about specific persons confidentially. Questions or concerns about specific students should generally be referred in the first instance to the student’s teacher or a school administrator. Questions or concerns about specific employees should generally be referred in the first instance to the school principal or other supervisor. Other policies, like the discrimination, harassment, and bullying complaint procedure policy and the responding to complaints policy may apply in specific circumstances. (Visit http://www.orangecountyfirst.com/communications or http://www.orangecountyfirst.com/board for links to the above and other Board policies)

* Advertising or promotional materials.

* Copyrighted material posted without the express consent of the copyright holder.

* Comments that do not comport with reasonable standards of civility and decorum (see below).

* Words that constitute a criminal act or that solicit others to commit a criminal act.

* Fraud or defamation.

* Personally abusive language that is inherently likely to provoke a violent response.

* Words that present a grave and imminent threat to any person’s health or safety.

* Threats of violence.

* Any illegal content. Civility and Decorum
______________________

Comments that do not meet reasonable standards of civility of decorum may be removed. Commenters are reminded that this is a public school system website and that students – most of whom are impressionable minors – are one of its main intended audiences. Students check the OCS page frequently for important information about school events and activities and should not be exposed to comments that are likely to cause them emotional distress or that would be inappropriate in the school environment. In particular, commenters are expected to refrain entirely from profanity, personal insults, and personal attacks against any person. Facebook Rules and Standards
________________________________

Finally, please note that this page appears on facebook.com, which is owned and operated by Facebook Inc. Facebook Inc. has its own rules and standards with which all users must comply. In addition to having their comments removed, commenters who violate these rules and standards may be reported to Facebook for further action. Disclaimer
___________

OCS is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse or oppose any points made by commenters on this page. Commenters are solely responsible for their own comments and are urged to exercise good judgment, including but not limited to the rules and expectations set out above.


++++++++++++++

  🎓 Logan Allison⭐ Pathways Elementary, Orange Middle, Orange High School Class of 2026⭐ What are your plans after gradu...
06/11/2026

🎓 Logan Allison

⭐ Pathways Elementary, Orange Middle, Orange High School Class of 2026

⭐ What are your plans after graduating from Orange County Schools?

Logan has enrolled in the Fire Academy at Alamance Community College.

⭐ What is the greatest challenge you’ve overcome?

The greatest challenge for Logan would be navigating through high school math! Math has not been easy for Logan but the confidence instilled in him from Ms. Jessica Curasi was a turning point.

⭐ Who helped you along the way?

Logan has had so many wonderful people help him along the way. Ms. Kristen Sharpe, his School Counselor at OHS has been instrumental in working with Logan through his high school years to make sure he stayed on track working towards his goal of becoming a firefighter and get into the Ag classes he enjoyed. She has always had his best interest at heart. We are very grateful for her!

⭐ If you could send a message to an educator who had a profound impact on you, who would you send it to and what would you say?

Logan has two teachers that mean the world to him if you were to ask him. Ms. Kim Harshaw, his kindergarten teacher from Pathways Elementary and Ms. Shannon Dixon, his AVID teacher from Orange Middle School. These ladies loved, encouraged, supported and listened to more than a few of his country boy stories! If we see them now, he still runs to hug both of them with the biggest smile.

Message from Logan Allison's Family: "Logan, your Dad and I are so incredibly proud of the young man you are becoming. You are incredibly kind, respectful and compassionate to everyone you meet. You have had your heart set on becoming a firefighter as soon as you were old enough to put on your Dad's turnout gear! We love you so much. Keep shining your light!"

Submit your for your or your student by filling out the Orange County Schools Senior Spotlight Submission form (https://bit.ly/4loyZV7). You can also stay up to date with our by visiting orangecountyfirst.com/seniorstories!

  🎓 Rylee Capps ⭐ Grady A. Brown Elementary, A.L. Stanback Middle, Cedar Ridge High School Class of 2026 ⭐ What are your...
06/10/2026

🎓 Rylee Capps

⭐ Grady A. Brown Elementary, A.L. Stanback Middle, Cedar Ridge High School Class of 2026

⭐ What are your plans after graduating Orange County Schools?

I plan to attend Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia to study Exercise and Sport Science, while also playing softball for the WildCats.

⭐ What is the greatest challenge you've overcome?

The greatest challenge I’ve overcome is tearing my ACL and meniscus the summer before senior year. The recovery process and getting back to softball was very challenging both mentally and physically. I am very grateful for what that experience has taught me and that it provided me with the patience and perseverance to push through anything.

⭐ Who helped you along the way?

My family has helped me tremendously along the way, but my parents specifically have been my biggest supporters throughout my academic and athletic journeys. They have been by my side through thick and thin and I wouldn’t change them for the world. By the grace of God I am blessed to have the opportunities that I do.

⭐ If you could send a message to an educator who had a profound impact on you, who would you send it to and what would you say?

I would send a letter to Mrs. Compton, my kindergarten teacher. She was a remarkable teacher, and I have had the pleasure of getting to know her really well while I volunteered as her teacher assistant for three years during high school. I would say: “Thank you for being such a fantastic person and role model to me and everyone around you! You have inspired me to be the best person that I can be. You are such a light in this world, and are a living version of God’s love!”

Submit your for your or your student by filling out the Orange County Schools Senior Spotlight Submission form (https://bit.ly/4loyZV7). You can also stay up to date with our by visiting orangecountyfirst.com/seniorstories!

As approved by the Board of Education on April 20, 2026, June 10 will be an early release day for elementary (traditiona...
06/08/2026

As approved by the Board of Education on April 20, 2026, June 10 will be an early release day for elementary (traditional and year-round) and middle schools. June 11 will remain a full day for high school students.

To see the current and updated Orange County Schools 2025-2026 calendar, visit orangecountyfirst.com/calendar.

  🎓Elijah Mendoza-Yerena⭐ New Hope Elementary, A.L. Stanback Middle, Cedar Ridge High School Class of 2026⭐ What are you...
06/08/2026

🎓Elijah Mendoza-Yerena

⭐ New Hope Elementary, A.L. Stanback Middle, Cedar Ridge High School Class of 2026

⭐ What are your plans after graduating from Orange County Schools?

Continue my education at Durham Tech CC for a semester or a year to obtain my Associate's Degree and transfer to NCSU or UNC.

⭐ What is the greatest challenge that you've overcome?

My greatest challenge was taking College and High School classes and driving back and forth. I learned to be more confident and independent.

⭐ Who helped you along the way?

My family is my greatest support, a family friend who helped me with College Essays and my Durham Tech College liaison.

⭐ If you could send a message to an educator who had a profound impact on you, who would you send it to and what would you say?

Thank you to my science teachers for helping me find my passion for science.

Message from Elijah Mendoza-Yerena's family: "Elijah M Yerena, I am so proud of the young man you are. You are always my greatest support. I learned what love really means the moment I hold you on my chest. I wish you happiness, and success in life. You are strong and capable of anything you wanted to achieve. I will always be here for you with unconditional love."

Submit your for your or your student by filling out the Orange County Schools Senior Spotlight Submission form (https://bit.ly/4loyZV7). You can also stay up to date with our by visiting orangecountyfirst.com/seniorstories!

Students, families and friends of the graduating class of 2026 - the time is here! Next Friday, June 12, we are excited ...
06/05/2026

Students, families and friends of the graduating class of 2026 - the time is here! Next Friday, June 12, we are excited and proud to celebrate your hard work and great accomplishments at the 2025-26 Commencement Ceremony.

Please view details below to build your graduation day itinerary:

📍 Graduation will take place at the Dean E. Smith Center (300 Skipper Bowles Dr, Chapel Hill, NC) on Friday, June 12, 2026.

⏰ Cedar Ridge High School's Commencement Ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. and Orange High School's will begin at 1:00 p.m. Doors will open one (1) hour prior to each ceremony (9:00 a.m. for CRHS, 12:00 p.m. for OHS).

🅿️ Parking

Parking is free of charge. Public parking near the Smith Center is available in the Manning Lot, Bowles Lot and Craige Deck (via the Blythe Drive back side entrance.)

Accessibility parking with shuttle service is available at the Williamson Lot.

🎦 Will the graduation ceremonies be livestreamed?

No, the Commencement Ceremonies will not be livestreamed. Please visit Orange County Schools Instagram and Facebook for photos after the ceremony.

📁 Dean E. Smith Center Policies

Graduates should anticipate a brief security search upon entering the building. Please have gowns unzipped as you enter the Dean E. Smith Center to ensure a quick and smooth process.

Clear bags are preferred in order to reduce your screening time at the doors. All bags are subject to search.

The Dean Smith Center prohibits noise makers, confetti, balloons, wrapped gifts, fi****ms and alcoholic beverages. If you are carrying any of these items, you will be asked to leave them outside.

Cameras, bouquets of flowers, appropriate signs, unopened food and drink are welcome. Limited concessions will be sold at the Dean E. Smith Center.

For complete details about the 2025-2026 commencement ceremony, visit orangecountyfirst.com/graduation! We can't wait to celebrate you!

  🎓 Nadia Clayton-Jones⭐ New Hope Elementary,  Orange Middle, Orange High School Class of 2026 ⭐ What are your plans aft...
06/05/2026

🎓 Nadia Clayton-Jones

⭐ New Hope Elementary, Orange Middle, Orange High School Class of 2026

⭐ What are your plans after graduating from Orange County Schools?

I plan on going to Alamance Community College to do their dental assisting program then transferring to UNC Chapel Hill for their Dental Hygiene program.

⭐ What is the greatest challenge you’ve overcome?

The greatest challenge I've overcome is transitioning from being online to going back to in person school my freshman year. This was a challenge for me because at that time I was really introverted and didn't really talk or hang out with anyone.

⭐ Who helped you along the way?

My Mom and closest friends.

⭐ If you could send a message to an educator who had a profound impact on you, who would you send it to and what would you say?

Huge shoutout to Mr. Griffin! I took his Honors Spanish 3 and 4 classes, and he's taught me that learning Spanish can be really fun through games like jeopardy. Aside from teaching me a new language. He's a teacher who really and truly supports his students in and out of the classroom. Mr. Griffin was able to come to 4 of my dance performances. It truly meant a lot to me because it showed that he genuinely cares and is willing to support his students. Thank you for supporting me both in the classroom and on stage!

Submit your for your or your student by filling out the Orange County Schools Senior Spotlight Submission form (https://bit.ly/4loyZV7). You can also stay up to date with our by visiting orangecountyfirst.com/seniorstories!

06/04/2026

After a years-long hiatus, we could not be more excited and proud to say that the Special Olympics is back in Orange County Schools! On April 24, students, staff, and community members came together for the 2026 Spring Games – a full day of soccer to support our students and bring the OCS community together for a full day of fun and unity.

We received overwhelming community support for this event, with huge thanks to our students, staff, community members, and generous sponsors who made such an amazing day possible!

Thank you to the OCS Exceptional Children’s department and Special Olympics NC () for bringing this event back to Orange County Schools!

📸 Photos provided by OCS Communications and

Come see why it's all smiles for Kindergarten in Orange County Schools! Kindergarten enrollment for the 2026-2027 school...
06/04/2026

Come see why it's all smiles for Kindergarten in Orange County Schools!

Kindergarten enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is open. Children who turn five (5) years old by August 31, 2026 are eligible for kindergarten — and now is the time to enroll!

OCS is a great place for children to prepare for their next stage in life, from kindergarten through graduating with options available for the future. Whatever you need as you and your family looking to enroll in Orange County Schools, visit orangecountyfirst.com/enrollment!

NOW HIRING TEACHERS 🍎✏️ Are you passionate about supporting students with diverse learning needs? Orange County Schools ...
06/03/2026

NOW HIRING TEACHERS 🍎✏️ Are you passionate about supporting students with diverse learning needs? Orange County Schools is seeking dedicated EC (Exceptional Children) Adaptive Teachers to join our team for the upcoming school year.

If you are committed to helping students grow academically, socially, and independently, we invite you to explore our current opportunities!

Apply today and make a lasting impact on the lives of students:
https://orange.schoolspring.com/

We look forward to hearing from you!
Your Friendly Neighborhood HR Team,
Orange County Schools, NC



Image: "Now Hiring Special Education, Exceptional Children Adaptive Teachers, Orange County Schools." Student uses a yardstick to guide the initial letter "d" to spell the word "dig" as a teacher observes and responds.

Address

200 E King Street
Hillsborough, NC
27278

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Orange County Schools, NC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share