North Carolina is the #9 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,524,291 students across the 2,752 public schools for the 2024 school year (there are 889 private schools, serving 133,947 students). 92% of all K-12 students in North Carolina are educated in public schools, compared to the national average of 89%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in North Carolina is 51%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 50%.
The top ranked 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 scores.
Minority enrollment is 55% (majority Black) and the student:teacher ratio is 15:1.
Student by Ethnicity
(NC) School Average
American Indian
1%
Asian
4%
Hispanic
20%
Black
25%
White
45%
Two or more races
5%
![This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in North Carolina. This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in North Carolina.](http://images1.publicschoolreview.com/charts/state_ethnicity/998000/997867/north-carolina-chart-NX8SLP.png)
Top Ranked Public Schools in North Carolina (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Brown Summit Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥99% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
4720 Nc Highway 150 East
Browns Summit, NC 27214
(336) 656-0432
Browns Summit, NC 27214
(336) 656-0432
Rank: #22.
Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy
Charter School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
5225 Seventy-seven Center Dr
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 503-1112
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 503-1112
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Highland Sch Of Technology
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1600 N Morris Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Nesbitt Discovery Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
175 Bingham Rd Ste 10
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Quest Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-8
10908 Strickland Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Rank: #66.
White Oak Elementary School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 96% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1512 White Oak Church Rd
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 694-0202
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 694-0202
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Central Of Technology And Arts
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
600 Brewer Dr
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 296-3088
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 296-3088
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Rockingham Co Early College High School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-13
Nc Hwy 65
Wentworth, NC 27375
(336) 342-4261
Wentworth, NC 27375
(336) 342-4261
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1307 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Union County Early College
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-13
4209a Old Charlotte Hwy
Monroe, NC 28110
(704) 290-1565
Monroe, NC 28110
(704) 290-1565
Best North Carolina Public Schools by County (2024)
Popular neighborhoods: North Raleigh (18 schools), Douglas Byrd (15 schools), Downtown (13 schools), Terry Sanford (12 schools), Northeast Raleigh (12 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in North Carolina?
The top ranked public schools in North Carolina include Brown Summit Middle School, Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy and Highland Sch Of Technology.
How many public schools are located in North Carolina?
2,752 public schools are located in North Carolina.
What percentage of students in North Carolina go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in North Carolina are educated in public schools (compared to national average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in North Carolina?
Minority enrollment in North Carolina is 55% (majority Black)
Recent Articles
![Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative? Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative?](https://images2.publicschoolreview.com/articlephoto/286/Drug-Testing-Teachers-Testing-Positive-or-Negative-64ovwe8z6pgccc4gw8ssggc84-280.jpg)
Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative?
This article explores the complex issue of drug testing for public K-12 teachers in 2024. It examines the current practices, benefits, and controversies surrounding drug testing in educational settings. The piece delves into the impact of legalized marijuana, perspectives from educators and stakeholders, and future considerations for policy development. By analyzing these factors, the article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the implications of drug testing in schools.
![Exposed: School Surveillance - Is Your Child's Privacy Under Threat? Exposed: School Surveillance - Is Your Child's Privacy Under Threat?](https://images1.publicschoolreview.com/articlephoto/198/Exposed-School-Surveillance---Is-Your-Child-s-Privacy-Under-Threat-36befyvt1u680s4sw40g8ssck-280.jpg)
Exposed: School Surveillance - Is Your Child's Privacy Under Threat?
Is your child under surveillance? Dive into the school webcam spying debate.
![Are High Schools Doing Their Job? Not All, Says New Report Are High Schools Doing Their Job? Not All, Says New Report](https://images1.publicschoolreview.com/articlephoto/419/Are-High-Schools-Doing-Their-Job-Not-All-Says-New-Report-cdp4oot1ltcscoso04ogsc4cw-280.jpg)
Are High Schools Doing Their Job? Not All, Says New Report
A new report by the Center for Public Education found that some high schools are providing a rigorous enough curriculum to prepare students for college, while others are not. What is the definition of “rigorous”? We’ll examine that question and report on study results.