Top 10 Best North Carolina Public Schools (2025)

North Carolina is the #9 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,547,014 students across the 2,764 public schools for the 2025 school year (there are 865 private schools, serving 133,841 students). 92% of all K-12 students in North Carolina attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in North Carolina is 51%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 50%.
Minority enrollment is 57%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic and the student:teacher ratio is 15:1.

Top Ranked Public Schools in North Carolina (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Brown Summit Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥99% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
4720 Nc Highway 150 East
Browns Summit, NC 27214
(336) 656-0432
Rank: #22.
Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy
Charter School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
5225 Seventy-seven Center Dr
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 503-1112
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
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: #3 - 53. - 5.
Nesbitt Discovery Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
175 Bingham Rd Ste 10
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Quest Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
10908 Strickland Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Rank: #66.
White Oak Elementary School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 96% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1512 White Oak Church Rd
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 694-0202
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Central Academy 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: #7 - 87. - 8.
Rockingham Co Early College High School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-13
215 Wrenn Memorial Road
Wentworth, NC 27375
(336) 342-4261
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1307 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Union County Early College
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-13
4209a Old Charlotte Hwy
Monroe, NC 28110
(704) 290-1565

Overview

This State (NC)
# Schools
2,764 Schools
# Students
1,547,014 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
100,085 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1

Student By Grade

State Acdeamy

State Average (NC)
51%
50%
63%
86%
Eligible for Free Lunch
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.71
# American Indian Students
16,971 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
# Asian Students
65,132 Students
% Asian Students
4%
# Hispanic Students
326,941 Students
% Hispanic Students
21%
# Black Students
380,120 Students
% Black Students
25%
# White Students
665,292 Students
% White Students
43%
# Hawaiian Students
2,147 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
# Two or more races Students
92,182 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
All Ethnic Groups

State Revenue and Spending

This State (NC)
Total Revenue (22-23)
$17,307 MM
Spending (22-23)
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student (22-23)
$11,187
Spending / Student (22-23)
$11,612

Best North Carolina Public Schools by County (2025)

County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
43
25,647
61%
10
2,902
71%
6
2,691
18%
10
1,981
18%
14
6,185
54%
8
1,866
91%
12
4,007
62%
22
14,795
39%
60
28,867
35%
28
11,859
37%
57
43,120
64%
26
10,803
27%
5
1,951
20%
17
7,451
24%
45
22,551
46%
22
8,784
48%
15
3,391
17%
4
1,833
59%
4
1,301
15%
30
17,051
41%
22
9,145
54%
27
12,507
54%
12
5,553
27%
43
20,559
40%
13
6,137
30%
13
9,296
73%
75
44,920
77%
92
59,501
65%
20
9,586
59%
63
35,144
52%
5
1,448
39%
3
1,117
24%
6
2,691
74%
143
81,578
72%
24
7,001
71%
29
18,248
54%
16
7,180
15%
26
13,969
37%
11
7,233
80%
52
31,284
41%
11
3,899
34%
42
30,345
56%
6
1,673
50%
23
13,222
64%
18
8,497
69%
26
14,544
27%
11
4,368
27%
11
2,731
68%
16
5,617
25%
222
167,827
75%
21
11,804
40%
22
12,346
75%
41
28,705
44%
40
21,683
49%
18
10,220
36%
15
5,458
47%
43
24,993
69%
7
2,156
24%
39
19,987
41%
15
6,631
62%
44
23,700
88%
34
19,315
50%
19
8,848
73%
10
5,529
77%
24
9,467
35%
19
5,705
15%
30
11,141
33%
9
3,386
60%
59
46,855
47%
18
7,632
83%
244
191,497
57%
6
1,686
89%
12
4,911
17%
38
20,132
69%
21
8,327
28%
29
12,882
74%
14
5,176
34%
7
2,076
19%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in North Carolina?
The top-ranked public schools in North Carolina include Brown Summit Middle School, Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy, and Highland Sch Of Technology.
How many public schools are located in North Carolina?
2,764 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 attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in North Carolina?
Minority enrollment in North Carolina is 57%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic.
Which public schools in North Carolina are often viewed compared to one another?

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