For the 2025 school year, there are 7 private schools serving 1,066 students in Orange County, NC (there are 40 public schools, serving 21,683 public students). 5% of all K-12 students in Orange County, NC are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
The top ranked private schools in Orange County, NC include St. Thomas More Catholic School, Emerson Waldorf School, and Montessori Day School.
The average acceptance rate is 94%, which is higher than the North Carolina private school average acceptance rate of 86%.
Top Ranked Orange County Private Schools (2025)
School
Location
Grades
Students
121 Orange High School Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-0888
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-0888
Grades: NS-10
| 140 students
109 Millstone Drive
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-2090
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-2090
Grades: PK-6
| 148 students
6211 New Jericho Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-1858
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-1858
Grades: PK-12
| 287 students
Montessori Day School![Montessori Day School Photo]( "Montessori Day School Photo")
Montessori School
1702 Legion Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 929-3339
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 929-3339
Grades: PK-3
| 63 students
St. Thomas More Catholic School![St. Thomas More Catholic School Photo - Altar Servers at school Mass]( "St. Thomas More Catholic School Photo - Altar Servers at school Mass")
(Catholic)
920 Carmichael St
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-6242
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-6242
Grades: PK-8
| 380 students
Chapel Hill KinderCare![Chapel Hill KinderCare Photo - Lobby]( "Chapel Hill KinderCare Photo - Lobby")
Daycare / Preschool
210 South Elliot Rd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-7223
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-7223
Grades: NS-PK
| n/a students
The Goddard School![The Goddard School Photo]( "The Goddard School Photo")
Daycare / Preschool
1162 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 933-9022
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 933-9022
Grades: NS-PK
| 48 students
Orange County Private Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Our Playhouse Preschool & Kindergarten (Closed 2019)
Daycare / Preschool
3501 Nc Highway 54 W Ste E
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-2700
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-2700
Grades: PK-1
| 35 students
St. Mary Catholic School (Closed 2004)
(Catholic)
7500 Schley Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-7200
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-7200
Grades: PK-8
| 147 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked private schools in Orange County, NC?
The top ranked private schools in Orange County, NC include St. Thomas More Catholic School, Emerson Waldorf School, and Montessori Day School.
How many private schools are located in Orange County?
7 private schools are located in Orange County.
How diverse are private schools in Orange County?
Orange County private schools are approximately 22% minority students, which is lower than the North Carolina private school average of 23%.
What percentage of students in Orange County go to private school?
5% of all K-12 students in Orange County are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Orange County?
Which private schools in Orange County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Orange County include: The Goddard School vs. Emerson Waldorf School, Emerson Waldorf School vs. The Goddard School, Chapel Hill KinderCare vs. The Goddard School
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