#1 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Durham Academy Middle School Div
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 88% of independent schools in North Carolina
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade1,211 students5 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Private schools in Durham, NC with elementary grades and the highest overall grades. Top 18 of 18 schools.
#2 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Durham Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Durham
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade1,213 students7 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Gorman Christian Academy & Early Learning Center
Baptist school · Grades K–8
The smallest classes of any Christian school in Durham
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade105 students4 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Duke School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 64% of independent schools in North Carolina
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade436 students6 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Carolina Friends School
Quaker (Friends) school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 83% of Christian schools in North Carolina
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade477 students7 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–12
The largest Christian school in Durham
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade583 students8 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Triangle Day School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Growing: enrollment up 59% since 2011–12
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade321 students7 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Montessori School of Raleigh
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest of 38 Montessori schools in North Carolina
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade238 students4 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Immaculata Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 37% since 2011–12
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade466 students13 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Bethesda Christian Academy
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–11
Serving families in Durham since at least 2011
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade200 students11 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Durham Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Durham
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade1,213 students8 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
International Montessori School
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–6
Growing: enrollment up 73% since 2013–14
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade97 students6 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Cresset Christian Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
Serving families in Durham since at least 2011
Durham, NC
A-Overall grade171 students12 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Montessori School of Durham
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–6
Growing: enrollment up 24% since 2011–12
Durham, NC
BOverall grade83 students9 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Fellowship Baptist Academy
Baptist school · Grades K–12
Growing: enrollment up 48% since 2011–12
Durham, NC
BOverall grade176 students11 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Liberty Christian School
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 24% since 2011–12
Durham, NC
B-Overall grade299 students12 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Montessori Community School
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of 5 Montessori schools in Durham
Durham, NC
B-Overall grade157 students9 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Elementary Schools in Durham, NC
Mount Zion Christian Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–12
One of 13 Christian schools in Durham
Durham, NC
B-Overall grade182 students15 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.