Top 10 Best North Carolina Public Schools (2024)

North Carolina is the #9 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,524,291 students across the 2,752 public schools for the 2024 school year (there are 838 private schools, serving 124,743 students). 92% of all K-12 students in North Carolina are educated in public schools (compared to national average of 90%).
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in North Carolina is 42%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 47%.
Minority enrollment is 55% (majority Black) and the student:teacher ratio is 15:1.

Student by Ethnicity

(NC) School Average
American Indian
1%
Asian
4%
Hispanic
20%
Black
25%
White
45%
Two or more races
5%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in NC.

Top Ranked Public Schools in North Carolina (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy
Charter School
Math: 97% | Reading: ≥99%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 97% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
5225 Seventy-seven Center Dr
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 503-1112
Rank: #22.
Brown Summit Middle School
Magnet School
Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥99%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
4720 Nc Highway 150 East
Browns Summit, NC 27214
(336) 656-0432
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Brunswick County Early College
Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-13
50 College Road Ne
Supply, NC 28462
(910) 754-8565
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Highland Sch Of Technology
Magnet School
Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1600 N Morris Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Quest Academy
Charter School
Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
10908 Strickland Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Wake Early College Of Health And Science
Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-13
2901 Holston Lane
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 212-5800
Rank: #77.
Central Of Technology And Arts
Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
600 Brewer Dr
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 296-3088
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Challenger Early College High School
Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
2550 Hwy 70 Se
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 485-2980
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Nesbitt Discovery Academy
Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
175 Bingham Rd Ste 10
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter School
Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1307 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155

Best North Carolina Public Schools by County (2024)

County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
42
24,790
58%
9
2,902
69%
6
2,767
16%
10
1,969
18%
15
6,307
54%
8
1,912
90%
13
4,056
61%
22
14,092
36%
60
28,793
33%
28
11,704
36%
55
41,336
59%
25
10,847
25%
5
1,872
21%
18
7,410
24%
45
22,409
44%
23
8,766
48%
15
3,228
15%
4
1,937
57%
4
1,252
12%
32
16,727
40%
23
8,323
53%
26
12,612
52%
12
5,663
26%
44
20,354
37%
13
6,100
28%
13
9,215
72%
72
44,912
76%
92
59,623
63%
20
9,509
56%
63
34,268
48%
5
1,475
39%
3
1,160
24%
6
2,720
73%
145
81,211
70%
24
6,823
72%
32
19,542
52%
16
7,183
15%
26
13,825
36%
11
7,235
77%
52
30,737
37%
11
3,813
32%
43
31,185
53%
6
1,621
48%
20
11,916
63%
18
8,436
67%
26
14,219
25%
11
4,381
26%
10
2,801
65%
15
5,824
23%
217
164,637
74%
21
11,457
39%
23
12,304
73%
41
28,264
43%
39
21,729
47%
18
9,593
35%
14
5,339
45%
40
24,506
66%
7
2,129
24%
38
19,714
39%
15
6,800
60%
44
23,660
88%
35
18,956
47%
19
8,703
71%
10
5,440
75%
24
9,065
32%
19
5,649
13%
30
11,189
31%
8
3,365
59%
58
45,458
43%
18
7,576
80%
242
184,211
55%
7
1,776
87%
12
4,844
18%
37
20,035
66%
21
8,327
27%
31
12,997
73%
15
5,165
33%
7
1,962
17%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in North Carolina?
The top ranked public schools in North Carolina include Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy, Brown Summit Middle School and Brunswick County Early College.
How many public schools are located in North Carolina?
2,752 public schools are located in North Carolina.
What percentage of students in North Carolina go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in North Carolina are educated in public schools (compared to national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in North Carolina?
Minority enrollment in North Carolina is 55% (majority Black)

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