Looking for a great school for your little one? Look no further than the Tarheel State. North Carolina is home to some of the best elementary schools in the country, and our list will help you find the best one for your family.
North Carolina has schools that focus on everything from science and technology to language immersion, so no matter what type of educational experience you’re looking for, this list is sure to have it.
If you’re new to NC and want to see what great schools are available in your area, check out our list below!
We’ve gathered data on the top elementary schools in North Carolina based on enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and other important factors.
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about Best Private Elementary Schools In North Carolina
Elementary school can be a scary time for kids, who are unsure of how to react to the new freedom, responsibilities, and experiences that come with schooling. As a parent, you want to ensure your child is receiving the best education possible, but you also want them to feel comfortable in their environment.
CHARLOTTE, NC — Niche.com has just released what it says are the top 100 public elementary schools in North Carolina for the 2019-20 school year.
Topping the list this year is Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy in Charlotte, one of several Charlotte metro public schools to make the list. Other schools districts, such as Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Union County Public Schools and Wake County Schools were also prominent in the rankings.
How did we arrive at its rankings? The authors say, “The 2020 Best Public Elementary Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, student-teacher ratio, student diversity, teacher quality, grade school ratings, and the overall quality of the school district.
Here are the top 100 public elementary schools in North Carolina for the 2020 school year, according to Niche.com.
- Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy, Charlotte
- Woods Charter School, Chapel Hill, NC
- Henderson Collegiate Charter School, Henderson, NC
- Quest Academy, Raleigh, NC
- Sterling Montessori Academy, Morrisville, NC
- Tiller School, Beaufort, NC
- Glenwood Elementary, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Endeavor Charter School, Wake Forest, NC
- Seawell Elementary School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Exploris Middle School, Raleigh, NC
- Ephesus Elementary School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Scroggs Elementary School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Thomas Jefferson Class Academy, Mooresboro, NC
- Morris Grove Elementary School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Pine Lake Preparatory School, Mooresville, NC
- Rashkis Elementary School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- The Academy of Moore County, Aberdeen, NC
- Estes Hill Elementary School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Magellan Charter School, Raleigh
- Socrates Academy, Matthews, NC
- Greensboro Academy, Greensboro, NC
- Community School of Davidson, Davidson, NC
- Charlotte Lab School, Charlotte
- F. Delany New School for Children, Asheville, NC
- McDougle Elementary School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Wake Forest Charter Academy, Wake Forest, NC
- Southeastern Academy, Lumberton, NC
- Franklin Academy, Wake Forest, NC
- Eno River Academy, Hillsborough, NC
- Carrboro Elementary School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- The Expedition School, Hillsborough, NC
- Tryon Elementary School, Polk County Schools
- Mountain Discovery Charter School, Bryson City, NC
- Morrisville Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Two Rivers Community School, Boone, NC
- Summerfield Charter Academy, Summerfield, NC
- Corvian Community School, Charlotte, NC
- Marvin Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
- Mills Park Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Highcroft Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Green Hope Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Davis Drive Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Antioch Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
- Wedding Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
- Henderson Elementary School, Henderson County Schools
- Weatherstone Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Rea View Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
- Saluda Elementary School, Polk County Schools
- Cedar Fork Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Carpenter Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Alston Ridge Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Triangle Math & Science Academy, Cary, NC
- Frank P. Graham Elementary School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Olive Chapel Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Poplin Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
- Kensington Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
- Sandy Ridge Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
- White Oak Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Glen C. Marlow Elementary School, Henderson County Schools
- Sycamore Creek Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Evergreen Community Charter School, Asheville, NC
- Union Day School, Waxhaw, NC
- Brassfield Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Rocky River Elementary School, Mooresville Graded School District
- Turner Creek Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Scotts Ridge Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Envision Science Academy, Raleigh
- Cape Fear Center for Inquiry, Wilmington, NC
- New Town Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
- Unionville Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
- Clear Creek Elementary School, Henderson County Schools
- Holly Springs Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Holly Grove Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Penny Road Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Morehead City Primary School, Carteret County Public Schools
- Combs Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Hardin Park Elementary School, Watauga County Schools
- Farmington Woods Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Willow Springs Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Underwood Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Blowing Rock Elementary School, Watauga County Schools
- Stallings Elementary School, Union County Schools
- Baucom Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Shiloh Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
- Wesley Chapel Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
- Nags Head Elementary School, Dare County Schools
- Central Park School for Children, Durham, NC
- Jeffreys Grove Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Sun Valley Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
- Heritage Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Lacy Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Lincoln Charter School, Denver, NC
- Rutherford College Elementary School, Burke County Schools
- Olds Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Laurel Park Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Pinnacle Classical Academy, Shelby, NC
- Southwest Elementary School, Winston Salem/ Forsyth County Schools
- Pleasant Union Elementary School, Wake County Schools
- Newport Elementary School, Carteret County Public Schools
- Cary Elementary School, Wake County Schools
As students across the Charlotte area settle into the school year, which saw an anything-but-normal start amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Niche is out with its annual set of rankings that highlights the best schools in the nation for 2021.
To produce such a list, the Pittsburgh-based research and review site incorporated input from current students, alumni and parents with test scores, academic performance and other data points. In addition to academics, Niche considered factors such as a school’s teachers, resources and facilities, extracurricular activity opportunities, and racial and economic diversity. The seventh annual rankings include data on 94,710 public schools, 24,099 private schools and 11,822 school districts nationwide.
“2020 has been an unprecedented year on multiple fronts and yet people are making big life decisions, like moving somewhere new or adjusting to a different work situation. A lot of times, those changes are tied into choosing a school for their kids,” said Luke Skurman, founder and CEO at Niche, in a news release. “Especially in these uncertain times, we believe transparency is crucial. Parents and students should be able to find out what it’s really like to attend a school before applying and enrolling.”
CBJ will take a four-part look at the new rankings to break down the top-rated schools across the Charlotte region. We’ll begin with public elementary schools, which include charter and magnet schools.
For the ranking of public elementary schools, Niche assigned 50% of the total weight to a school’s Academics Grade. Another 20% of a school’s overall score came from its Teachers Grade, followed by 15% from its District Overall Niche Grade, 10% from its Culture & Diversity Grade and 5% from parent and student surveys on their overall experience.
One local charter school fared particularly well in the rankings. Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy, off Tyvola and Old Pineville roads in Charlotte, ranked as the best public elementary school in both the metro area and the state of North Carolina. On the national list, it ranked at No. 33. Metrolina received an A+ in academics and teachers, and an A- for diversity.
Multiple schools that are part of Fort Mill School District also performed well in both the local and state rankings.
Below is the list of the 20 best public elementary schools in the Charlotte region, according to the Niche rankings. The school’s state and national rank, as well as its grades in each category, are included.
The entire local ranking can be explored here.
1) Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy, Charlotte, charter school
- North Carolina rank: No. 1
- National rank: No. 33
- Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Academics: A+
- Teachers: A+
- District Overall Niche Grade: N/A
- Diversity: A-
2) Gold Hill Elementary School, Tega Cay, Fort Mill School District
- South Carolina rank: No. 1
- National rank: No. 578
- Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A+
- District Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Diversity: A
3) Pine Lake Preparatory School, Mooresville, charter school
- North Carolina rank: No. 12
- National rank: No. 694
- Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Academics : A
- Teachers: A+
- District Overall Niche Grade: N/A
- Diversity: C+
4) Tega Cay Elementary School, Fort Mill, Fort Mill School District
- South Carolina rank: No. 2
- National rank: No. 727
- Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A+
- District Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Diversity: B+
5) Community School of Davidson, Davidson, charter school
- North Carolina rank: No. 14
- National rank: No. 770
- Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A+
- District Overall Niche Grade: N/A
- Diversity: B-
6) Pleasant Knoll Elementary School, Fort Mill, Fort Mill School District
- South Carolina rank: No. 3
- National rank: No. 807
- Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A+
- District Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Diversity: A-
7) Lake Norman Charter School, Huntersville, charter school
- North Carolina rank: No. 18
- National rank: No. 1,000
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A
- District Overall Niche Grade: N/A
- Diversity: B
8) Socrates Academy, Matthews, charter school
- North Carolina rank: No. 20
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A+
- District Overall Niche Grade: N/A
- Diversity: A-
9) Corvian Community School, Charlotte, charter school
- North Carolina rank: No. 26
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A+
- District Overall Niche Grade: N/A
- Diversity: B+
10) Doby’s Bridge Elementary School, Fort Mill, Fort Mill School District
- South Carolina rank: No. 8
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A
- District Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Diversity: B+
11) Orchard Park Elementary School, Fort Mill, Fort Mill School District
- South Carolina rank: No. 10
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A
- District Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Diversity: B
12) Fort Mill Elementary School, Fort Mill, Fort Mill School District
- South Carolina rank: No. 11
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A
- District Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Diversity: A-
13) Springfield Elementary School, Fort Mill, Fort Mill School District
- South Carolina rank: No. 12
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A
- District Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Diversity: A
14) Crowders Creek Elementary School, Clover, Clover School District
- South Carolina rank: No. 15
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A
- District Overall Niche Grade: A
- Diversity: B+
15) Sugar Creek Elementary School, Fort Mill, Fort Mill School District
- South Carolina rank: No. 16
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A
- District Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Diversity: A
16) Riverview Elementary School, Fort Mill, Fort Mill School District
- South Carolina rank: No. 17
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A
- District Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Diversity: A-
17) Marvin Elementary School, Marvin, Union County Public Schools
- North Carolina rank: No. 36
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A
- District Overall Niche Grade: A
- Diversity: B+
18) Griggs Road Elementary School, Clover, Clover School District
- South Carolina rank: No. 19
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A
- District Overall Niche Grade: A
- Diversity: B
19) Weddington Elementary School, Matthews, Union County Public Schools
- North Carolina rank: No. 37
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A-
- District Overall Niche Grade: A
- Diversity: B+
20) Larne Elementary School, Clover, Clover School District
- South Carolina rank: No. 21
- National rank: N/A
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Academics: A
- Teachers: A
- District Overall Niche Grade: A
- Diversity: A-
Educators in North Carolina recently received the disappointing news that the Read To Achieve program, which was launched in 2012 aimed at getting more young children to read, had not yielded positive results. In fact, proficiency scores were worse in 2019 than in 2011 before the program had begun.
However, despite the overall decline in test scores, there are a number of high-performing school districts in North Carolina that have steadily improved in this time period. Let’s take a look at the five best school districts in North Carolina.
Mooresville Graded School District is the best school district in North Carolina. The district encompasses three elementary schools, two intermediate schools, one middle school, and one high school with a total enrollment of 6,100. MGSD is one of the best districts in the state for academics, ranking in the top ten in ten North Carolina School Report Card subject areas, and its athletics program is first-class, as well.
Earning the #2 spot in North Carolina is Orange County Schools, a district headquartered in Hillsborough and consisting of 13 schools. The ethnically-diverse school district boasts a graduation rate well above the state and national averages.
3rd place belongs to Haywood County Schools, a large accredited district of fifteen schools serving 7,124 students. HCS has many achievements to its name, including a high average ACT score and National Blue Ribbon School honors for Haywood Early College High School.
The 4th best school district in North Carolina is Dare County Schools, comprising 11 schools with a total enrollment near 5,000. With all schools meeting or exceeding growth each year and the district managing a 95% graduation rate, DCS outperforms state standards in every metric.
Rounding out North Carolina’s top five school districts is Watauga County Schools, which is headquartered in Boone and consists of nine schools. WCS is a state leader in innovation, with its high school being the first in the state to offer a 1:1 laptop program to its students.
The following variables contributed to the ranking: number of students (K-12), graduation rate, school funding per student, student to teacher ratio, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Math test, percent of students scoring above proficient in standardized state Reading and Language test. Data from a total of 10,247 public school districts were used to compute a score for each school district. The following states were omitted due to lack of sufficient data: Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, and Virginia. Note that high schools in some states have their own independent districts.
Many factors go into school quality. Image, academics, extracurriculars, teachers and students—these are just some of the many aspects that parents consider when looking for the best elementary school in North Carolina for their children. Our rankings have taken into account test scores, teacher quality and parent reviews in order to provide you with the most comprehensive list of schools available.