North Carolina is the #10 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,548,397 students across the 2,729 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 880 private schools, serving 137,062 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%.
The top-ranked public schools in North Carolina are Brown Summit Middle School, Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy, and Highland School Of Technology. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 58%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 16:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in North Carolina (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Brown Summit Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥99% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
4720 Nc Highway 150 East
Browns Summit, NC 27214
(336) 656-0432
Browns Summit, NC 27214
(336) 656-0432
Rank: #22.
Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy
Charter School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
5225 Seventy-seven Center Dr
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 503-1112
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 503-1112
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Highland School Of Technology
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1600 N Morris Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Nesbitt Discovery Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
175 Bingham Rd Ste 10
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Quest Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
10908 Strickland Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Rank: #66.
White Oak Elementary School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 96% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1512 White Oak Church Rd
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 694-0202
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 694-0202
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Central Academy Of Technology And Arts
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
600 Brewer Dr
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 296-3088
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 296-3088
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Rockingham Co Early College High School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-13
215 Wrenn Memorial Road
Wentworth, NC 27375
(336) 342-4261
Wentworth, NC 27375
(336) 342-4261
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1307 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Union County Early College
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-13
4209a Old Charlotte Hwy
Monroe, NC 28110
(704) 290-1565
Monroe, NC 28110
(704) 290-1565
Overview
This State (NC)
US
# Schools
2,729 Schools
100,275 Schools
# Students
1,548,397 Students
49,273,202 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Gender %
# Teachers
96,034 Teachers
3,176,873 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (NC)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)51%
41%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)50%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)63%
43%
Graduation Rate
86.5%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
72%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.72
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
16,703 Students
465,608 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
68,997 Students
2,805,329 Students
% Asian Students
5%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
339,678 Students
14,933,117 Students
% Hispanic Students
22%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
378,171 Students
7,261,590 Students
% Black Students
24%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
652,886 Students
20,989,063 Students
% White Students
42%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
2,134 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
91,544 Students
2,585,768 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (NC)
Statewide Total Revenue
$20,622 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$21,575 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$13,318
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$13,934
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best North Carolina Public Schools by County (2026-27)
Popular neighborhoods: North Raleigh (18 schools), Douglas Byrd (15 schools), Downtown (13 schools), Terry Sanford (12 schools), Northeast Raleigh (12 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
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 School Of Technology.
How many public schools are located in North Carolina?
2,729 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 58%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic.
Which public schools in North Carolina are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in North Carolina include: Anson Co. Early College High School vs. Anson High School, Manchester Elementary School vs. William T Brown Elementary School, Burnsville Elementary School vs. South Toe Elementary School
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