For the 2025 school year, there are 24 blue ribbon public high schools serving 11,945 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 Highland Sch Of Technology, Nesbitt Discovery Academy and Central Academy 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 80% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 78% (versus the 58% statewide average).
North Carolina blue ribbon public high school have a Graduation Rate of 92%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Providence High School, with 97% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public High Schools in North Carolina (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
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
| 528 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Nesbitt Discovery Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
175 Bingham Rd Ste 10
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Grades: 9-12
| 379 students
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #7 - 87. - 8.
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: #7 - 87. - 8.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #15 - 1715. - 17.
Mcdowell Early College
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
54 College Drive
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 659-0411
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 659-0411
Grades: 9-13
| 198 students
Rank: #15 - 1715. - 17.
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: #15 - 1715. - 17.
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: #1818.
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
Rank: #1919.
Socrates Academy
Charter School
(Math: 75% | 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-11
| 947 students
Rank: #2020.
A&t Four Middle College
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1601 East Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27411
(336) 691-0941
Greensboro, NC 27411
(336) 691-0941
Grades: 9-12
| 169 students
Rank: #2121.
Sallie B Howard School
Charter School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1004 Herring Avenue E
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 293-4150
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 293-4150
Grades: K-12
| 1,251 students
Rank: #2222.
Saint Stephens High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3205 34th Street Drive Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9841
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9841
Grades: 9-12
| 1,298 students
Rank: #2323.
Greene Early College High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
818 Highway 91
Snow Hill, NC 28580
(252) 747-9044
Snow Hill, NC 28580
(252) 747-9044
Grades: 9-13
| 140 students
Rank: #2424.
Academy At Smith
Magnet School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2225 South Holden Road
Greensboro, NC 27407
(336) 316-5866
Greensboro, NC 27407
(336) 316-5866
Grades: 9-12
| 228 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 Highland Sch Of Technology, Nesbitt Discovery Academy and Central Academy Of Technology And Arts.
How many blue ribbon public high schools are located in North Carolina?
24 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 53% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
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