Emerson Waldorf School Photo - Rose Ceremony at the beginning of the year

Best Orange County Private Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 7 private schools serving 1,065 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 80%.
29% of private schools in Orange County, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Catholic).

Top Ranked Orange County Private Schools (2025)

School
Location
Grades
Students
Hillsborough Christian Academy
Hillsborough Christian Academy Photo
(Christian)
(5)
121 Orange High School Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-0888
Grades: NS-11
| 139 students
Pinewoods Montessori Schoolcorp
Pinewoods Montessori Schoolcorp Photo - An elementary student doing her math work using Montessori materials. The Montessori math curriculum includes using concrete methods of learning abstract concepts.
Montessori School
(17)
109 Millstone Drive
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-2090
Grades: PK-6
| 148 students
Emerson Waldorf School
Emerson Waldorf School Photo - Rose Ceremony at the beginning of the year
Special Program Emphasis
(9)
6211 New Jericho Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-1858
Grades: PK-12
| 287 students
Montessori Day School
Montessori Day School Photo
Montessori School
1702 Legion Rd
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
(Catholic)
920 Carmichael St
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-6242
Grades: PK-8
| 380 students
Chapel Hill KinderCare
Chapel Hill KinderCare Photo - Lobby
Daycare / Preschool
210 South Elliot Rd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-7223
Grades: NS-PK
| n/a students
The Goddard School
The Goddard School Photo
Daycare / Preschool
1162 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 933-9022
Grades: NS-PK
| 48 students
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Orange County, North Carolina

Orange County Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
3501 Nc Highway 54 W Ste E
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-2700
Grades: PK-1
| 35 students
7500 Schley Rd
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?
29% of private schools in Orange County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Catholic).
Which private schools in Orange County are often viewed compared to one another?

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