These are the 10 best high schools in NC for 2025. See if your child’s school made the list
Many high schools in North Carolina have high test scores and graduation rates, but a few are exceptional.
Niche, a website that collects data on K-12 schools and colleges in the U.S. to aid students and families when deciding on enrollment, ranked 1,069 schools in North Carolina for 2025.
Half of the schools featured in the top 10 are in the Triangle, and all of the schools in the top 10 received A+ overall scores from Niche.
However, only three of the schools in the top 10 are public, which coincides with a recent report from the Education Law Center that ranked North Carolina 48th among states in funding level and 49th in funding effort for public schools, WUNC reported. Funding levels measure state and local funding per student, adjusted for the cost of living and funding effort measures state and local funding for education as a proportion of the state’s gross domestic product.
The ranking is based on metrics from the U.S. Department of Education, such as state test scores and graduation rates, as well as reviews from students and parents, the site says.
Niche’s report comes after WalletHub, a personal finance website, ranked North Carolina near the bottom (No. 33) among states with the best and worst school systems this past summer.
Here are the 10 best high schools in North Carolina.
No. 1: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Address: 1219 Broad St. in Durham
School type: Public school
Website: ncssm.edu
North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics has 975 students in grades 11-12, Niche states. The school also ranks first in best college prep public high schools and best high schools for STEM in North Carolina.
No. 2: Cary Academy
Address: 1500 N. Harrison Ave. in Cary
School type: Private school
Website: caryacademy.org
Cary Academy has 789 students in grades 6-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1, Niche states. The school is also ranked first among best private high schools and best college prep private high schools in North Carolina.
No. 3: Durham Academy
Address: 3601 Ridge Rd. in Durham
School type: Private school
Website: da.org
Durham Academy has 789 students in grades 6-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 6 to 1, Niche states. The school is also ranked first among best private K-12 schools and second among best private high schools in North Carolina.
No. 4: Providence Day School
Address: 5800 Sardis Rd. in Charlotte
School type: Private school
Website: providenceday.org
Providence Day School has 1,947 students in preschool and grades K-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1, Niche states. The school is also ranked second among best private K-12 schools and third among best private high schools in North Carolina.
No. 5: Salem Academy
Address: 601 S. Church St. in Winston-Salem
School type: Private School
Website: salemacademy.com
Salem Academy, an all-girl school, has 70 students in preschool and grades 9-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 3 to 1, Niche states. The school is also ranked first among best boarding high schools and fourth among best private high schools in North Carolina.
No. 6: Raleigh Charter High School
Address: 1307 Glenwood Ave. in Raleigh
School type: Public school
Website: raleighcharterhs.org
Raleigh Charter High School has 564 students in grades 9-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1, Niche states. The school is also ranked first among best charter high schools and second among best public high schools in North Carolina.
No. 7: The Early College at Guilford
Address: 5608 W. Friendly Ave. in Greensboro
School type: Public school
Website: nc01910393.schoolwires.net/early_college_at_guilford
The Early College at Guilford has 195 students in grades 9-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1, Niche states. The school is also ranked first among best magnet high schools and second among best college prep public high schools in North Carolina.
No. 8: Charlotte Country Day School
Address: 1440 Carmel Rd. in Charlotte
School type: Private school
Website: charlottecountryday.org
Charlotte Country Day School has 1,738 students in preschool and grades K-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1, Niche states. The school is also ranked third among best private K-12 schools and fourth among best college prep private high schools in North Carolina.
No. 9: Ravenscroft School
Address: 7409 Falls of Neuse Rd. in Raleigh
School type: Private school
Website: ravenscroft.org
Ravenscroft School has 1,251 students in preschool and grades K-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 6 to 1, Niche states. The school is also ranked fourth among best private K-12 schools and sixth among best private high schools in North Carolina.
No. 10: Christ School
Address: 500 Christ School Rd. in Arden
School type: Private school
Website: christschool.org
Christ School has 300 students in preschool and grades 8-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 6 to 1, Niche states. The school is also ranked first among best Christian high schools and second among best boarding high schools in North Carolina.
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 3:11 PM with the headline "These are the 10 best high schools in NC for 2025. See if your child’s school made the list."
