For the 2025 school year, there are 90 blue ribbon public schools serving 45,585 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 49% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in North Carolina (2025)
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
| 238 students
Rank: #22.
Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy
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
| 398 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
| 528 students
Rank: #44.
Central Academy Of Technology And Arts
(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
| 846 students
Rank: #55.
Raleigh Charter High 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
| 560 students
Rank: #66.
Brunswick County Early College
(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
| 322 students
Rank: #77.
Providence High 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
| 2,126 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Early College At Guilford
(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
| 192 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Haywood Early College
(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
| 170 students
Rank: #1010.
J D Clement Early College High 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
| 386 students
Rank: #1111.
Riverbend Elementary 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
| 201 students
Rank: #1212.
Providence Spring Elementary 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
| 596 students
Rank: #1313.
Wrightsville Beach Elementary 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
| 273 students
Rank: #1414.
Weddington Middle 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
| 1,403 students
Rank: #1515.
Sampson Early College High 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
| 206 students
Rank: #1616.
Psrc Early College At Rcc
(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
| 214 students
Rank: #1717.
Cross Creek Early College
(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
| 252 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Davis Drive Elementary 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
| 820 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Davis Drive Middle 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
| 997 students
Rank: #2020.
Caldwell Early College
(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
| 329 students
Rank: #2121.
Greensboro Academy
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
| 768 students
Rank: #2222.
Rutherford Early College High 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
| 202 students
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Hawk Ridge Elementary 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
| 801 students
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Union Elementary 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
| 603 students
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Pender Early College High 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
| 188 students
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Stem Early College Nc A&t Su
(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
| 194 students
Rank: #2727.
Jay M. Robinson Middle 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
| 1,330 students
Rank: #2828.
Southeastern Academy
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
(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
| 449 students
Rank: #3030.
Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elementary 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
| 448 students
Rank: #3131.
Glenn C Marlow Elementary 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
| 557 students
Rank: #3232.
Hendersonville Elementary 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
| 334 students
Rank: #3333.
Beverly Woods Elementary 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
| 649 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
| 740 students
Rank: #3535.
Mount Airy High 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
| 620 students
Show 55 more public schools in North Carolina (out of 90 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?
90 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 49% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
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