For the 2024 school year, there are 23 blue ribbon public high schools serving 10,812 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 high schools in North Carolina are Brunswick County Early College, Highland Sch Of Technology and Central Of Technology And Arts. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
North Carolina blue ribbon public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 70% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 52%), and reading proficiency score of 72% (versus the 57% statewide average).
North Carolina blue ribbon public high school have a Graduation Rate of 93%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Central Of Technology And Arts, with ≥99% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 53% (majority Black).
Best Blue Ribbon Public High Schools in North Carolina (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Brunswick County Early College
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
50 College Road Ne
Supply, NC 28462
(910) 754-8565
Supply, NC 28462
(910) 754-8565
Grades: 9-13
| 290 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
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
| 533 students
Rank: #33.
Central 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
| 809 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: ≥90% | 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
| 559 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Stem Early College @ Nc A&t Su
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
402 Laurel Street
Greensboro, NC 27411
(336) 370-8580
Greensboro, NC 27411
(336) 370-8580
Grades: 9-13
| 192 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 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
| 197 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Pender Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
100 East Industrial Drive
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 362-7925
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 362-7925
Grades: 9-13
| 202 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Psrc Early College At Rcc
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5160 Fayetteville Road
Lumberton, NC 28360
(910) 737-5232
Lumberton, NC 28360
(910) 737-5232
Grades: 9-13
| 176 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Sampson Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1801 Sunset Ave
Clinton, NC 28329
(910) 900-4046
Clinton, NC 28329
(910) 900-4046
Grades: 9-13
| 221 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
| 395 students
Rank: #1111.
Providence High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1800 Pineville-matthews Rd
Charlotte, NC 28270
(980) 343-5390
Charlotte, NC 28270
(980) 343-5390
Grades: 9-12
| 2,025 students
Rank: #1212.
Haywood Early College
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
185 Freedlander Drive
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 565-4000
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 565-4000
Grades: 9-13
| 173 students
Rank: #1313.
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
| 246 students
Rank: #1414.
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
| 350 students
Rank: #1515.
Rutherford Early College High School
(Math: 70-79% | 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
| 192 students
Rank: #1616.
Middle College High At Bennett
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
610 Gorrell Street
Greensboro, NC 27406
(336) 517-1832
Greensboro, NC 27406
(336) 517-1832
Grades: 12
| 25 students
Rank: #1717.
Socrates Academy
Charter School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3909 Weddington Rd
Matthews, NC 28105
(704) 321-1711
Matthews, NC 28105
(704) 321-1711
Grades: K-12
| 912 students
Rank: #1818.
Greene Early College High School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
818 Highway 91
Snow Hill, NC 28580
(252) 747-9044
Snow Hill, NC 28580
(252) 747-9044
Grades: 9-13
| 132 students
Rank: #1919.
Mount Airy High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1011 N South St
Mount Airy, NC 27030
(336) 789-5147
Mount Airy, NC 27030
(336) 789-5147
Grades: 9-12
| 581 students
Rank: #2020.
Saint Stephens High School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3205 34th Street Drive Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9841
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9841
Grades: 9-12
| 1,176 students
Rank: #2121.
Academy At Smith
Magnet School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2225 South Holden Road
Greensboro, NC 27407
(336) 316-5866
Greensboro, NC 27407
(336) 316-5866
Grades: 9-12
| 196 students
Rank: #2222.
Sallie B Howard School
Charter School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1004 Herring Avenue E
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 293-4150
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 293-4150
Grades: K-11
| 1,079 students
Rank: #2323.
Middle College At Nc A&t
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1601 East Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27411
(336) 691-0941
Greensboro, NC 27411
(336) 691-0941
Grades: 9-12
| 151 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public high schools in North Carolina?
The top ranked blue ribbon public high schools in North Carolina include Brunswick County Early College, Highland Sch Of Technology and Central Of Technology And Arts.
How many blue ribbon public high schools are located in North Carolina?
23 blue ribbon public high schools are located in North Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in North Carolina?
North Carolina blue ribbon public high schools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 53% (majority Black).
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