DISTRICT NEWS: Orange Public Schools Announces Exceptional NJQSAC Results of 80% Or Higher In All Five Areas
Posted Date: 09/18/26 (05:00 PM)
Orange Public School District Announces High-Performing NJQSAC Results, Marking Third Consecutive Evaluation With 80% Or Higher In All Five Areas
Orange, New Jersey — September 17, 2026 — The Orange Public School District is proud to announce that, following the New Jersey Department of Education’s Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) monitoring visit conducted through the Essex County Office in March 2026, the district achieved a score of 80% or higher in all five NJQSAC evaluation areas. Based on these results, the New Jersey Department of Education has designated the Orange Public School District as HIGH PERFORMING!
Under the leadership of the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gerald Fitzhugh, II, the Orange Public School District demonstrated continued strength across instruction, fiscal management, governance, personnel, and operations.
The district’s reported NJQSAC results are as follows:
Instruction and Programs: 82%
Fiscal Management: 82%
Governance: 95%
Personnel: 100%
Operations: 92%
The New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum is the New Jersey Department of Education’s monitoring and district self-evaluation system for public school districts. NJQSAC evaluates districts across five key components identified by the NJDOE as critical to effective school district performance: Instruction and Program, Fiscal Management, Governance, Operations, and Personnel. The system is designed not only to assess compliance, but also to support continuous improvement, capacity-building, and stronger district systems.
“This accomplishment is about people,” said Dr. Gerald Fitzhugh, II, Superintendent of Schools. “It is about the educators who enter our schools each day committed to serving our scholars. It is about our administrators and supervisors who lead with purpose. It is about our support professionals who ensure that our schools operate effectively. It is about our Board of Education, whose partnership and commitment to governance remain essential to the work we do. Most importantly, it is about our scholars and families, who are at the heart of everything we do.” Dr. Fitzhugh continued, “Receiving 80% or higher in every NJQSAC area for the third consecutive evaluation is a tremendous accomplishment, but it is not a reason for us to become comfortable. It is a reminder that when we work collectively, remain focused, and hold ourselves accountable, we can continue moving this district forward. This recognition belongs to Team Orange.”
The district’s 95% Governance score and 100% Personnel score reflect areas of particular strength. NJDOE’s NJQSAC framework examines governance indicators that include areas such as curriculum alignment, budgeting, implementation of Board-approved policies, leadership evaluation, contracting responsibilities, transparency, and ethical conduct.
The Personnel component examines a district’s capacity to meet requirements related to staffing and professional development, including staff evaluations, support for novice educators, professional learning, certification, staffing systems, and supervisory practices.
The district’s 82% Instruction and Programs score also reflects the continued emphasis on teaching, learning, curriculum alignment, student performance, continuous improvement, and equitable access to New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
“This achievement reinforces what we have known about the Orange Public School District for some time: our people are committed to excellence,” said Dr. Fitzhugh. “There is tremendous work happening throughout our schools, classrooms, offices, and departments. Our progress is the result of intentional leadership, collaboration, accountability, and a shared belief that our scholars deserve nothing less than our very best.”
Dr. Fitzhugh also expressed appreciation to the Orange Board of Education for its continued partnership and commitment to the district.
“I want to sincerely thank our Board of Education for its leadership, oversight, and partnership,” Dr. Fitzhugh stated. “Strong school districts are built through strong relationships and a shared commitment to doing what is right for children. This achievement is a reflection of that collective commitment.”
The Superintendent extended his appreciation to the entire Orange Public School District community, including teachers, administrators, supervisors, counselors, support staff, paraprofessionals, transportation and operations personnel, families, community partners, and, most importantly, the scholars of Orange.
“This is a moment for us to pause and celebrate,” said Dr. Fitzhugh. “But it is also a moment to recommit ourselves to the work ahead. We are building a district that is intentional, innovative, accountable, and focused on opportunity. Our strategic direction is clear: Optimal Success…Forward by Design.”
The Orange Public School District will continue using the findings and feedback associated with the NJQSAC process to strengthen district systems, enhance teaching and learning, support staff, promote effective governance, and ensure that every school continues moving toward greater excellence and opportunity.
“Three consecutive evaluations at 80% or higher across all five areas is not simply a number,” Dr. Fitzhugh concluded. “It represents years of hard work, difficult conversations, continuous improvement, and people who refused to lose sight of the mission. To our scholars, staff, families, Board of Education, and community: thank you. You have helped make this achievement possible. We celebrate this milestone together, and together, we will continue moving Orange forward.”
The Orange Public School District remains committed to its mission of Inspiring Excellence and Innovation in Learning and to creating a high-performing school district where every scholar is prepared to achieve optimal success.
The district’s 82% Instruction and Programs score also reflects the continued emphasis on teaching, learning, curriculum alignment, student performance, continuous improvement, and equitable access to New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
“This achievement reinforces what we have known about the Orange Public School District for some time: our people are committed to excellence,” said Dr. Fitzhugh. “There is tremendous work happening throughout our schools, classrooms, offices, and departments. Our progress is the result of intentional leadership, collaboration, accountability, and a shared belief that our scholars deserve nothing less than our very best.”
Dr. Fitzhugh also expressed appreciation to the Orange Board of Education for its continued partnership and commitment to the district.
“I want to sincerely thank our Board of Education for its leadership, oversight, and partnership,” Dr. Fitzhugh stated. “Strong school districts are built through strong relationships and a shared commitment to doing what is right for children. This achievement is a reflection of that collective commitment.”
The Superintendent extended his appreciation to the entire Orange Public School District community, including teachers, administrators, supervisors, counselors, support staff, paraprofessionals, transportation and operations personnel, families, community partners, and, most importantly, the scholars of Orange.
“This is a moment for us to pause and celebrate,” said Dr. Fitzhugh. “But it is also a moment to recommit ourselves to the work ahead. We are building a district that is intentional, innovative, accountable, and focused on opportunity. Our strategic direction is clear: Optimal Success…Forward by Design.”
The Orange Public School District will continue using the findings and feedback associated with the NJQSAC process to strengthen district systems, enhance teaching and learning, support staff, promote effective governance, and ensure that every school continues moving toward greater excellence and opportunity.
“Three consecutive evaluations at 80% or higher across all five areas is not simply a number,” Dr. Fitzhugh concluded. “It represents years of hard work, difficult conversations, continuous improvement, and people who refused to lose sight of the mission. To our scholars, staff, families, Board of Education, and community: thank you. You have helped make this achievement possible. We celebrate this milestone together, and together, we will continue moving Orange forward.”
The Orange Public School District remains committed to its mission of Inspiring Excellence and Innovation in Learning and to creating a high-performing school district where every scholar is prepared to achieve optimal success.
Media Contact:
Tenin Terrell, Communications Officer
Phone: (973) 677-4000 ext. 50605
terrelte@orange.k12.nj.us
Website: www.orange.k12.nj.us
