For the 2024-25 school year, there are 23 blue ribbon public high schools serving 10,986 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, Central Academy Of Technology And Arts and Raleigh Charter High School. 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 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is equal to the North Carolina public high school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Blue Ribbon Public High Schools in North Carolina (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #14 - 1514. - 15.
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: #14 - 1514. - 15.
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: #1616.
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
Rank: #1717.
Middle College High At Bennett
Magnet School
(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: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: #1818.
Socrates Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
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-10
| 864 students
Rank: #1919.
A&t Four Middle College
Magnet School
(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
| 154 students
Rank: #2020.
Sallie B Howard School
Magnet School
Charter 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
| 1,204 students
Rank: #2121.
Saint Stephens High School
Magnet 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
| 1,265 students
Rank: #2222.
Greene Early College High School
Magnet 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
| 139 students
Rank: #2323.
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
| 223 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, Central Academy Of Technology And Arts and Raleigh Charter High School.
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 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is equal to the North Carolina public high schools average of 54% (majority Black).
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