For the 2024-25 school year, there are 91 blue ribbon public schools serving 45,226 students in North Carolina.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top ranked blue ribbon public schools in North Carolina are Brown Summit Middle School, Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy and Highland Sch Of Technology. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
North Carolina blue ribbon public schools have an average math proficiency score of 75% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in North Carolina (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Brown Summit Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥99% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4720 Nc Highway 150 East
Browns Summit, NC 27214
(336) 656-0432
Browns Summit, NC 27214
(336) 656-0432
Grades: 6-8
| 235 students
Rank: #22.
Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5225 Seventy-seven Center Dr
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 503-1112
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 503-1112
Grades: K-8
| 390 students
Rank: #33.
Highland Sch Of Technology
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1600 N Morris Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Grades: 9-12
| 514 students
Rank: #44.
Central Academy Of Technology And Arts
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
600 Brewer Dr
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 296-3088
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 296-3088
Grades: 9-12
| 821 students
Rank: #55.
Raleigh Charter High School
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1307 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Grades: 9-12
| 564 students
Rank: #66.
Brunswick County Early College
Magnet School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
50 College Road Ne
Supply, NC 28462
(910) 756-5030
Supply, NC 28462
(910) 756-5030
Grades: 9-13
| 297 students
Rank: #77.
Providence High School
Magnet School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1800 Pineville-matthews Rd
Charlotte, NC 28270
(980) 343-5390
Charlotte, NC 28270
(980) 343-5390
Grades: 9-12
| 2,048 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Early College At Guilford
Magnet School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5608 West Friendly Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27410
(336) 316-2860
Greensboro, NC 27410
(336) 316-2860
Grades: 9-12
| 195 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Haywood Early College
Magnet School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
185 Freedlander Drive
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 565-4000
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 565-4000
Grades: 9-13
| 160 students
Rank: #1010.
J D Clement Early College High School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1801 Fayetteville Street, Nccu
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-2696
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-2696
Grades: 9-12
| 395 students
Rank: #1111.
Riverbend Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
71 Learning Lane
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-6565
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-6565
Grades: K-5
| 183 students
Rank: #1212.
Providence Spring Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
10045 Providence Church Ln
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-6935
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-6935
Grades: K-5
| 602 students
Rank: #1313.
Wrightsville Beach Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
220 Coral Drive
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
(910) 256-3171
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
(910) 256-3171
Grades: K-5
| 263 students
Rank: #1414.
Weddington Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5903 Deal Road
Matthews, NC 28104
(704) 296-6318
Matthews, NC 28104
(704) 296-6318
Grades: 6-8
| 1,450 students
Rank: #1515.
Sampson Early College High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1801 Sunset Ave
Clinton, NC 28329
(910) 900-4046
Clinton, NC 28329
(910) 900-4046
Grades: 9-13
| 219 students
Rank: #1616.
Psrc Early College At Rcc
Magnet School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5160 Fayetteville Road
Lumberton, NC 28360
(910) 737-5232
Lumberton, NC 28360
(910) 737-5232
Grades: 9-13
| 190 students
Rank: #1717.
Cross Creek Early College
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1200 Murchison Road
Fayetteville, NC 28301
(910) 500-7551
Fayetteville, NC 28301
(910) 500-7551
Grades: 9-12
| 246 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Davis Drive Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2151 Davis Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-2130
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-2130
Grades: K-5
| 825 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Davis Drive Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2101 Davis Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-3033
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-3033
Grades: 6-8
| 959 students
Rank: #2020.
Caldwell Early College
Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2859 Hickory Blvd Sw
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 759-4636
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 759-4636
Grades: 9-13
| 330 students
Rank: #2121.
Greensboro Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4049 Battleground Ave
Greensboro, NC 27410
(336) 286-8404
Greensboro, NC 27410
(336) 286-8404
Grades: K-8
| 766 students
Rank: #2222.
Rutherford Early College High School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
286 Icc Loop Road
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 288-2202
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 288-2202
Grades: 9-13
| 191 students
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Hawk Ridge Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9201 Bryant Farms Rd
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-5927
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-5927
Grades: PK-5
| 737 students
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Union Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
180 Union School Road Nw
Shallotte, NC 28470
(910) 756-5900
Shallotte, NC 28470
(910) 756-5900
Grades: K-5
| 571 students
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Pender Early College High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
100 East Industrial Drive
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 362-7925
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 362-7925
Grades: 9-13
| 193 students
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Stem Early College Nc A&t Su
Magnet School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
402 Laurel Street
Greensboro, NC 27411
(336) 370-8580
Greensboro, NC 27411
(336) 370-8580
Grades: 9-12
| 192 students
Rank: #2727.
Jay M. Robinson Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5925 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-6944
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-6944
Grades: 6-8
| 1,305 students
Rank: #2828.
Southeastern Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12251 Nc Hwy 41 North
Lumberton, NC 28358
(910) 738-7828
Lumberton, NC 28358
(910) 738-7828
Grades: K-8
| 218 students
Rank: #2929.
Rock Ridge Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6605 Rock Ridge School Rd
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7955
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7955
Grades: K-5
| 469 students
Rank: #3030.
Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6701 Gordon Road
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 397-1544
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 397-1544
Grades: K-5
| 440 students
Rank: #3131.
Glenn C Marlow Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1985 Butler Bridge Road
Mills River, NC 28759
(828) 654-3225
Mills River, NC 28759
(828) 654-3225
Grades: K-5
| 580 students
Rank: #3232.
Hendersonville Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1039 Randall Circle
Hendersonville, NC 28791
(828) 697-4752
Hendersonville, NC 28791
(828) 697-4752
Grades: K-5
| 330 students
Rank: #3333.
Beverly Woods Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6001 Quail Hollow Rd
Charlotte, NC 28210
(980) 343-3627
Charlotte, NC 28210
(980) 343-3627
Grades: K-5
| 611 students
Rank: #3434.
Pearsontown Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4915 Barbee Road
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3964
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3964
Grades: PK-5
| 726 students
Rank: #3535.
Mount Airy High School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1011 N South St
Mount Airy, NC 27030
(336) 789-5147
Mount Airy, NC 27030
(336) 789-5147
Grades: 9-12
| 582 students
Show 56 more public schools in North Carolina (out of 91 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public schools in North Carolina?
The top ranked blue ribbon public schools in North Carolina include Brown Summit Middle School, Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy and Highland Sch Of Technology.
How many blue ribbon public schools are located in North Carolina?
91 blue ribbon public schools are located in North Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in North Carolina?
North Carolina blue ribbon public schools minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
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