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Engage, Challenge, Inspire!
Follow our news and events to learn what's happening and how you play a part in the success of every student and member of the Orange County Schools learning community. Reach your maximum potential!
We look forward to adding new stories here to celebrate our students and our school all year long.
![OCS 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year José Hidalgo and Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745606794/orangecountyfirstcom/xnjbkqapirjvkqbqzbhe/IMG_5036.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745606794/orangecountyfirstcom/xnjbkqapirjvkqbqzbhe/IMG_5036.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745606794/orangecountyfirstcom/xnjbkqapirjvkqbqzbhe/IMG_5036.jpg","width":631}])
Known for his 'unconditional' support of students and staff, Mr. José Hidalgo has been named OCS 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year.
![Orange County Board of Education]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725002967/orangecountyfirstcom/f02vmivpapi06cn0ouqu/board-meeting-gavel.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725002967/orangecountyfirstcom/f02vmivpapi06cn0ouqu/board-meeting-gavel.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725002967/orangecountyfirstcom/f02vmivpapi06cn0ouqu/board-meeting-gavel.png","width":800}])
The Orange County Board of Education held a regular business meeting and annual budget public hearing on April 7, 2025.
![Dr. Sheldon Lanier, Orange County Schools and Mr. Jack Hoke, NC School Superintendents Association]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744059342/orangecountyfirstcom/ykeayr8fgphlvoqzs3nh/LanierandHokeThumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744059342/orangecountyfirstcom/ykeayr8fgphlvoqzs3nh/LanierandHokeThumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744059342/orangecountyfirstcom/ykeayr8fgphlvoqzs3nh/LanierandHokeThumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1744059342/orangecountyfirstcom/ykeayr8fgphlvoqzs3nh/LanierandHokeThumbnail.png","width":1080}])
Dr. Sheldon Lanier, Chief Equity and Student Achievement Officer, recently completed the NCSSA Aspiring Superintendents Program.
![What kind of math person are you? Question on the board at one of our Orange County Schools elementary schools, because everyone is a math person!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743705450/orangecountyfirstcom/lzmn3vvluqmvr8tvnzw7/IMG_1874Copy.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1743705450/orangecountyfirstcom/lzmn3vvluqmvr8tvnzw7/IMG_1874Copy.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1743705450/orangecountyfirstcom/lzmn3vvluqmvr8tvnzw7/IMG_1874Copy.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743705450/orangecountyfirstcom/lzmn3vvluqmvr8tvnzw7/IMG_1874Copy.jpg","width":952}])
On four full days between April 8 and April 15, the community is welcome to share feedback on curriculum resources to help shape the future of math instruction in Orange County Schools. Read on to learn how you can participate.
The Orange County Board of Education held a regular business meeting on March 24, 2025.
![Jason Johnson, Alexis Cates and Shannon Braxton posing]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1742906259/orangecountyfirstcom/ucda0qeds4tugg263dpu/Showcase3TemplateSixStory24.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1742906259/orangecountyfirstcom/ucda0qeds4tugg263dpu/Showcase3TemplateSixStory24.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1742906259/orangecountyfirstcom/ucda0qeds4tugg263dpu/Showcase3TemplateSixStory24.png","width":800}])
Orange High School Agriculture Teacher Alexis Cates has been named North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year for Orange County Schools!
From Our School Community
![Back To School 2024 RPES]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725019577/orangecountyfirstcom/ahk8k9gt7aq834asrp9d/IMG_9450.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725019577/orangecountyfirstcom/ahk8k9gt7aq834asrp9d/IMG_9450.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725019577/orangecountyfirstcom/ahk8k9gt7aq834asrp9d/IMG_9450.jpg","width":627}])
It takes everyone from bus drivers, cafeteria staff, maintenance and custodians to our classroom teachers, support staff, and administrators to make Back To School successful.
News & Events
It takes everyone from bus drivers, cafeteria staff, maintenance and custodians to our classroom teachers, support staff, and administrators to make Back To School successful.
![Orange County Schools - North Carolina]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724251333/orangecountyfirstcom/anwejkuu4neabboocthi/ocs-logo-color-rgb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724251333/orangecountyfirstcom/anwejkuu4neabboocthi/ocs-logo-color-rgb.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1724251333/orangecountyfirstcom/anwejkuu4neabboocthi/ocs-logo-color-rgb.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1724251333/orangecountyfirstcom/anwejkuu4neabboocthi/ocs-logo-color-rgb.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724251333/orangecountyfirstcom/anwejkuu4neabboocthi/ocs-logo-color-rgb.jpg","width":1475}]){kind=logo}
As we approach the beginning of the traditional calendar for the 2024-25 School Year, new Campus Student and Campus Parent portals will help everyone get more insight and information on the go. We also hope you will stay tuned to our new website, your school's new website, and especially our Back To School hub with links to important information.
![A.L. Stanback Cafeteria Staff]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1722870895/orangecountyfirstcom/hqoujqgvfljcyzhqbaaw/Showcase3Template1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1722870895/orangecountyfirstcom/hqoujqgvfljcyzhqbaaw/Showcase3Template1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1722870895/orangecountyfirstcom/hqoujqgvfljcyzhqbaaw/Showcase3Template1.png","width":800}])
New this year! Students who attend an approved Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) do not need to fill out an application as they are approved for meals at no cost. Learn more and view the application for Free and Reduced Price Meals!