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Lillie Herman, New Hope Elementary Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Lillie Herman, the New Hope Elementary School 2026-27 Teacher of the Year!
more about the orange county schools teacher of the year program
New Hope ranked #1 in Academic Growth in the State!
NHE Closing Achievement Gaps
New Hope Elementary was recognized among North Carolina's Top 10 federally-funded schools for closing achievement gaps.
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.
![Summer Reading World Cup: Score big this summer by reading!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781104387/orangecountyfirstcom/zh5rhprj3x4s9jurnyeg/SeniorStories24.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1781104387/orangecountyfirstcom/zh5rhprj3x4s9jurnyeg/SeniorStories24.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781104387/orangecountyfirstcom/zh5rhprj3x4s9jurnyeg/SeniorStories24.png","width":800}])
Score big this summer with Orange County Schools Summer Reading Challenge World Cup!
![custom plaques are placed on a table with a white tablecloth before the retiree ceremony in May 2026 for retirees]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780584083/j1cdqf7f9ru086vlrg3z/IMG_7357.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780584083/j1cdqf7f9ru086vlrg3z/IMG_7357.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780584083/j1cdqf7f9ru086vlrg3z/IMG_7357.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1780584083/j1cdqf7f9ru086vlrg3z/IMG_7357.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1780584083/j1cdqf7f9ru086vlrg3z/IMG_7357.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1780584083/j1cdqf7f9ru086vlrg3z/IMG_7357.jpg","width":2200}])
Nearly 40 staff members are signing off in 2025-2026 with over 870 years of state service to their credit.
![NC Summer Meals]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749589773/orangecountyfirstcom/dy5sctmw3w3ukr5yz2yc/RayFSunNCSummerMeals.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749589773/orangecountyfirstcom/dy5sctmw3w3ukr5yz2yc/RayFSunNCSummerMeals.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749589773/orangecountyfirstcom/dy5sctmw3w3ukr5yz2yc/RayFSunNCSummerMeals.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1749589773/orangecountyfirstcom/dy5sctmw3w3ukr5yz2yc/RayFSunNCSummerMeals.png","width":1000}])
Orange County Schools will provide free summer meal boxes available through OCS School Nutrition Services! Five day meals boxes will be available for children in the community from June 22 to July 29.
![Four female professional portraits]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1779220761/pefkkjilnxwbisiey3oh/NewLeadersMay2026Thumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1779220761/pefkkjilnxwbisiey3oh/NewLeadersMay2026Thumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1779220761/pefkkjilnxwbisiey3oh/NewLeadersMay2026Thumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1779220761/pefkkjilnxwbisiey3oh/NewLeadersMay2026Thumbnail.png","width":1200}])
During the May 18, 2026 Board of Education meeting, new leaders were approved for OCS department and school roles in the 2026-2027 school year.
![ACT Online Testing, room with laptops]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778717555/orangecountyfirstcom/z3euvpsukwu4jrmjym9t/ACTSpring20261.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1778717555/orangecountyfirstcom/z3euvpsukwu4jrmjym9t/ACTSpring20261.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1778717555/orangecountyfirstcom/z3euvpsukwu4jrmjym9t/ACTSpring20261.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1778717555/orangecountyfirstcom/z3euvpsukwu4jrmjym9t/ACTSpring20261.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1778717555/orangecountyfirstcom/z3euvpsukwu4jrmjym9t/ACTSpring20261.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1778717555/orangecountyfirstcom/z3euvpsukwu4jrmjym9t/ACTSpring20261.png","width":1800}])
ACT will reissue scores for online tests during school-day testing in the spring of 2026. No student’s score will be lower than what was previously released.
![Cybersecurity Update Orange County Schools]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1736809345/orangecountyfirstcom/b2bbrv9siy8yeviqqhas/CYBERSECURITY1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1736809345/orangecountyfirstcom/b2bbrv9siy8yeviqqhas/CYBERSECURITY1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1736809345/orangecountyfirstcom/b2bbrv9siy8yeviqqhas/CYBERSECURITY1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1736809345/orangecountyfirstcom/b2bbrv9siy8yeviqqhas/CYBERSECURITY1.png","width":1080}])
Canvas resumed normal operations in NC after a third-party interim assessment found no signs of ongoing cybersecurity threat. Learn more in our May 11, 2026 update.
New Hope Voyagers in Action!
![Two students, one playing the guitar the other has a butterfly puppet]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777396054/orangecountyfirstcom/dlbdcmgvond0l4aqqavq/Copyof6PostNewsGrid.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777396054/orangecountyfirstcom/dlbdcmgvond0l4aqqavq/Copyof6PostNewsGrid.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777396054/orangecountyfirstcom/dlbdcmgvond0l4aqqavq/Copyof6PostNewsGrid.png","width":800}])
As kindergarten and first grade students file into the gym at New Hope Elementary in Orange County on a brisk winter morning, an excited buzz of young voices fills the air. For many of these students, it is their first time attending a live performance of any kind.
![Community garden being prepared and planted by the New Hope Elementary School family]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1755706813/orangecountyfirstcom/tfmi2rofsjykfcdxlcqd/NHCommunityGarden1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1755706813/orangecountyfirstcom/tfmi2rofsjykfcdxlcqd/NHCommunityGarden1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1755706813/orangecountyfirstcom/tfmi2rofsjykfcdxlcqd/NHCommunityGarden1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1755706813/orangecountyfirstcom/tfmi2rofsjykfcdxlcqd/NHCommunityGarden1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1755706813/orangecountyfirstcom/tfmi2rofsjykfcdxlcqd/NHCommunityGarden1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1755706813/orangecountyfirstcom/tfmi2rofsjykfcdxlcqd/NHCommunityGarden1.jpg","width":2048}])
New Community Garden, prepared and loved by the NHE family. Thank you to all who show up and show out to create GROWTH! @NHVoyagers
![Pinewood Station Apartments Community Partners at NHE]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1755706960/orangecountyfirstcom/fcnzkwlnubrzrucewufb/PinewoodStationApartmentsCommunityPartnersatNHE.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1755706960/orangecountyfirstcom/fcnzkwlnubrzrucewufb/PinewoodStationApartmentsCommunityPartnersatNHE.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1755706960/orangecountyfirstcom/fcnzkwlnubrzrucewufb/PinewoodStationApartmentsCommunityPartnersatNHE.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1755706960/orangecountyfirstcom/fcnzkwlnubrzrucewufb/PinewoodStationApartmentsCommunityPartnersatNHE.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1755706960/orangecountyfirstcom/fcnzkwlnubrzrucewufb/PinewoodStationApartmentsCommunityPartnersatNHE.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1755706960/orangecountyfirstcom/fcnzkwlnubrzrucewufb/PinewoodStationApartmentsCommunityPartnersatNHE.jpg","width":1784}])
We are so lucky for community partners who support our students at home and in school! @NHVoyagers
Share Your Input on the Next Principal at New Hope
Students, families, staff, and members of the community are invited to help shape the search for New Hope Elementary's next principal. Complete our brief survey.
What strengths, areas of concern, and issues are most important to the future of New Hope Elementary? What are some characteristics of the ideal principal? Please share your input.
News & Events
As kindergarten and first grade students file into the gym at New Hope Elementary in Orange County on a brisk winter morning, an excited buzz of young voices fills the air. For many of these students, it is their first time attending a live performance of any kind.
New Community Garden, prepared and loved by the NHE family. Thank you to all who show up and show out to create GROWTH! @NHVoyagers
We are so lucky for community partners who support our students at home and in school! @NHVoyagers
![A.L. Stanback Cafeteria Staff]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1754424404/orangecountyfirstcom/qr7jlj5yb7fxxivppvta/IMG_9831EAT.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1754424404/orangecountyfirstcom/qr7jlj5yb7fxxivppvta/IMG_9831EAT.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1754424404/orangecountyfirstcom/qr7jlj5yb7fxxivppvta/IMG_9831EAT.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1754424404/orangecountyfirstcom/qr7jlj5yb7fxxivppvta/IMG_9831EAT.jpg","width":953}])
View our latest menus plus 2025-26 applications for Free and Reduced Price Meals! Students at approved Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools are approved for meals at no cost. Learn more!
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Dean E. Smith Center, 300 Skipper Bowles Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA