Best Elementary Schools in North Carolina (2025-26)

Page 1 · Page 2 · Page 3 (500 schools per page)

Page 1 · Page 2 · Page 3 (500 schools per page)

A: 329B: 323C: 326D: 327F: 104

46% of the 1409 ranked elementary schools in North Carolina earn an A or B (329 A grades, 323 B, 326 C, 327 D, 104 F), against 46% of elementary schools nationwide. 1025 schools meet or beat the proficiency projected from their student context (73% here, 70% nationally), and 559 exceed it. On average 56% of tested students meet the state bar against a projected 43% (national averages: 46% actual, 37% projected).

The biggest overperformers, by actual proficiency above projection: Old Main Stream Academy (68% against 21%, B+), Beaver Dam Elementary (89% against 43%, A+), Paw Creek Elementary (75% against 29%, A), East Robeson Primary (79% against 34%, A), Allenbrook Elementary (67% against 22%, B+).

Districts with the most schools in the top quarter (the top 353): Wake County Schools (56), Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (40), Union County Public Schools (16), Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools (13).

Cities with the most ranked elementary schools: Charlotte (108, 42 at A or B), Raleigh (63, 34 at A or B), Greensboro (42, 12 at A or B), Durham (39, 11 at A or B), Fayetteville (34, 8 at A or B).

The largest ranked elementary schools: Pine Springs Preparatory Academy (1,243 students, A+, #99), South Academy Of International Languages (1,223 students, A, #143), Davidson K 8 School (1,171 students, A+, #41).

Of the top 25, 2 are magnet schools and 6 are charters. Selective and specialised schools tend to post high actual scores; the projection column is the fairer comparison for a neighborhood school.

What is the best elementary school in North Carolina?

Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy in Charlotte ranks first among the 1409 ranked elementary schools in North Carolina with a SchoolGrade of A+, 98% of tested students meeting the state bar against a projected 64%.

How are elementary schools in North Carolina ranked?

By SchoolGrade, the 2025-26 model that scores each school's actual test proficiency against the level projected for its student context, then by actual proficiency to break ties. Regular public schools that are open, not fully online and have at least 30 students are ranked; the rest are listed below the table with the reason.

How many elementary schools does North Carolina have?

SchoolGrade grades 1491 public elementary schools in North Carolina; 1409 are ranked here and 82 are listed as not ranked.