For the 2023-24 school year, there are 77 alternative public schools serving 5,939 students in North Carolina.
The top ranked alternative public schools in North Carolina are Performance Learning Center, Asbury Academy and Bridges School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
North Carolina alternative public schools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 55% (majority Black).
Best North Carolina Alternative Public Schools (2023-24)
School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Performance Learning Center
Alternative School
Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4521 Weddington Road
Concord, NC 28027
(704) 260-6800
Concord, NC 28027
(704) 260-6800
Grades: 6-12
| 74 students
Rank: #2 - 122. - 12.
Asbury Academy
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
221 Salem Church Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-4766
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-4766
Grades: 6-12
| 27 students
Rank: #2 - 122. - 12.
Bridges School
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
140 Vashti Dr
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808-3040
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808-3040
Grades: K-12
| 5 students
Rank: #2 - 122. - 12.
Central Davie Academy
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
160 Martin Luther King Jr. Roa
Mocksville, NC 27028
(336) 751-5712
Mocksville, NC 27028
(336) 751-5712
Grades: 3-12
| 13 students
Rank: #2 - 122. - 12.
Choice Plus Academy
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
211 East Rose Street
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 230-0500
Smithfield, NC 27577
(984) 230-0500
Grades: 6-12
| 11 students
Rank: #2 - 122. - 12.
Connections Academy
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1280 Buck Jones Rd
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 694-8910
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 694-8910
Grades: 6-8
| 6 students
Rank: #2 - 122. - 12.
Henderson High School
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1215 North Main St
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 639-3134
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 639-3134
Grades: 6-12
| 14 students
Rank: #2 - 122. - 12.
Howard Learning Academy
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1608 Camden Road
Fayetteville, NC 28306
(910) 483-5434
Fayetteville, NC 28306
(910) 483-5434
Grades: 5-8
| 9 students
Rank: #2 - 122. - 12.
Lakeview School
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3507 Dearborn Drive
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-2520
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-2520
Grades: 6-12
| 30 students
Rank: #2 - 122. - 12.
North Whiteville Academy
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
310 S Martin Luther King Jr Av
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 914-4161
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 914-4161
Grades: 6-12
| 30 students
Rank: #2 - 122. - 12.
Phoenix Academy
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
204 Taylor St
Oxford, NC 27565
(919) 690-2300
Oxford, NC 27565
(919) 690-2300
Grades: K-12
| 16 students
Rank: #2 - 122. - 12.
Stanly Learning Center
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1121 Austin Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4500
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4500
Grades: 6-12
| 35 students
Rank: #1313.
Carolina Charter Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
Math: 37% | Reading: 52%
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8529 NC 55
Angier, NC 27501
(984) 300-3015
Angier, NC 27501
(984) 300-3015
Grades: K-8
| 738 students
Rank: #1414.
Career Readiness At Mosley Plc
Alternative School
Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3702 Princess Place Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6161
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6161
Grades: 6-12
| 118 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Davidson County High School
Alternative School
Math: 20-29% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2061 E Holly Grove Road
Lexington, NC 27292
(336) 242-1459
Lexington, NC 27292
(336) 242-1459
Grades: 9-12
| 83 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Davidson River School
Alternative School
Math: 20-29% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
970 Ecusta Rd
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-9567
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-9567
Grades: 9-12
| 77 students
Rank: #1717.
Score Academy
Alternative School
Math: 20-24% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5651 Dillard Dr
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 694-8560
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 694-8560
Grades: 9-12
| 347 students
Rank: #18 - 2218. - 22.
B C Educational Tech Center
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5700 Nc Highway 33 East
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-5382
Chocowinity, NC 27817
(252) 946-5382
Grades: 6-12
| 43 students
Rank: #18 - 2218. - 22.
Bragg Street Academy
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
504 Bragg Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-2686
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 775-2686
Grades: 5-12
| 25 students
Rank: #18 - 2218. - 22.
Central Haywood High School
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3215 Broad Street
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-9944
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-9944
Grades: 9-12
| 72 students
Rank: #18 - 2218. - 22.
Ray Street Academy
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
609 Ray Street
Graham, NC 27253
(336) 570-6644
Graham, NC 27253
(336) 570-6644
Grades: 6-12
| 31 students
Rank: #18 - 2218. - 22.
Shaw Academy
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
18700 Old Wire Road
Laurinburg, NC 28352
(910) 276-0611
Laurinburg, NC 28352
(910) 276-0611
Grades: 6-12
| 36 students
Rank: #2323.
Montgomery Learning Academy
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
310 S Main
Troy, NC 27371
(910) 572-1161
Troy, NC 27371
(910) 572-1161
Grades: 6-12
| 53 students
Rank: #2424.
Stoner-thomas School
Alternative School
Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≤20%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
215 County School Road
Lexington, NC 27292
(336) 248-5421
Lexington, NC 27292
(336) 248-5421
Grades: K-12
| 86 students
Rank: #2525.
Union Academy
Alternative School
Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
158 Union School Rd
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 369-1277
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 369-1277
Grades: 7-12
| 123 students
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Community High School
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
235 Old Us 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-7734
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-7734
Grades: 9-12
| 101 students
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Henderson County Career Academy
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
300 East Campus Drive
Flat Rock, NC 28731
(828) 697-4629
Flat Rock, NC 28731
(828) 697-4629
Grades: 6-12
| 141 students
Rank: #2828.
Central Wake High School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1425 Rock Quarry Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 521-5067
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 521-5067
Grades: 9-12
| 202 students
Rank: #29 - 4729. - 47.
Alger B. Wilkins High School
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1429 Skibo Road
Fayetteville, NC 28303
(910) 864-5438
Fayetteville, NC 28303
(910) 864-5438
Grades: 9-12
| 99 students
Rank: #29 - 4729. - 47.
Ashley Chapel Educational Center
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
377 Mizpah Road
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9800
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 997-9800
Grades: 7-12
| 35 students
Rank: #29 - 4729. - 47.
Cabarrus Co Opportunity School
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
120 Marsh Avenue Nw
Concord, NC 28025
(704) 260-5800
Concord, NC 28025
(704) 260-5800
Grades: 6-12
| 42 students
Rank: #29 - 4729. - 47.
Hallyburton Academy
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
205 South Main Street
Drexel, NC 28619
(828) 437-4184
Drexel, NC 28619
(828) 437-4184
Grades: 6-12
| 70 students
Rank: #29 - 4729. - 47.
Horizons Elementary School
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
332 Greenhaven Dr. Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Grades: K-5
| 30 students
Rank: #29 - 4729. - 47.
J. C. Roe Center
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2875 Worth Drive
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 395-4472
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 395-4472
Grades: 6-12
| 12 students
Rank: #29 - 4729. - 47.
Jackson Community School
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3770 Skyland Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-4328
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-4328
Grades: K-12
| 81 students
Show 42 more Alternative public schools in North Carolina (out of 77 total schools)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public schools in North Carolina?
The top ranked alternative public schools in North Carolina include Performance Learning Center, Asbury Academy and Bridges School.
How many alternative public schools are located in North Carolina?
77 alternative public schools are located in North Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in North Carolina?
North Carolina alternative public schools minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 55% (majority Black).
Recent Articles

Free Speech Online? Court Offers Guidelines for Schools in Disciplining Students for Off-Campus, Online Speech
Can public schools regulate what their students say online, outside of campus? A new court ruling says yes. Learn about the ruling and what boundaries public schools can set online, even if a student is off-campus.

Not Just for College: A Guide to K-12 Scholarships
Explore the world of scholarships designed specifically for K-12 students in this comprehensive guide. Discover opportunities to ease the financial burden of private education and pave the way for academic success.
August 04, 2023
Preparing for a Successful 'Back to School'A one-stop guide for parents navigating the 'back to school' season, providing practical and effective strategies tailored to every grade level - from pre-K to high school.