#1 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Raleigh Christian Academy
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
90% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Raleigh, NC
A+Overall grade228 students10 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Private schools in Wake County, NC with the highest overall grades. Top 44 of 44 schools.
#2 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Cary Academy
Independent school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Cary, NC
A+Overall grade789 students10 students per teacher
#3 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Al-Iman School
Islamic school · Grades Pre-K–8
One of the 3 largest private schools in North Carolina
Raleigh, NC
A+Overall grade321 students12 students per teacher
#4 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Neuse Christian Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–12
92% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Raleigh, NC
A+Overall grade356 students8 students per teacher
#5 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Montessori School of Raleigh
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest of 38 Montessori schools in North Carolina
Raleigh, NC
A+Overall grade238 students4 students per teacher
#6 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Chesterbrook Academy-Preschool and Elementary
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 72% since 2011–12
Cary, NC
A+Overall grade193 students9 students per teacher
#7 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Ravenscroft School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in North Carolina
Raleigh, NC
A+Overall grade1,215 students8 students per teacher
#8 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
St. Thomas More Academy
Parish school · Grades 6–11
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
A+Overall grade243 students12 students per teacher
#9 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
St. Mary's School
Episcopal school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
A+Overall gradeAll girls306 students10 students per teacher
#10 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Triangle Montessori Academy
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–6
The only Montessori school in Cary
Cary, NC
A+Overall grade76 students3 students per teacher
#11 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
An-Noor School
Islamic school · Grades 3–8
Growing: enrollment up 88% since 2013–14
Raleigh, NC
AOverall grade90 students7 students per teacher
#12 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Cardinal Gibbons
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
The largest of 44 Catholic schools in North Carolina
Raleigh, NC
AOverall grade1,590 students13 students per teacher
#13 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Heritage Christian Academy
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 82% of Christian schools in North Carolina
Zebulon, NC
AOverall grade97 students7 students per teacher
#14 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Cathedral School
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Raleigh since at least 2011
Raleigh, NC
A-Overall grade223 students16 students per teacher
#15 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Fusion Raleigh
Alternative school · Grades 6–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
A-Overall grade101 students5 students per teacher
#16 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Grace Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–12
93% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Raleigh, NC
B+Overall grade874 students12 students per teacher
#17 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
St. Raphael Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades K–8
One of 6 Catholic schools in Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
B+Overall grade458 students13 students per teacher
#18 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
The Raleigh School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
One of 7 independent schools in Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
B+Overall grade264 students9 students per teacher
#19 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Adventist Christian Academy of Raleigh
Seventh-day Adventist school · Grades Pre-K–10
Serving families in Raleigh since at least 2011
Raleigh, NC
B+Overall grade133 students18 students per teacher
#20 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Iron Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades 6–12
The only all-boys school in Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
B+Overall gradeAll boys80 students7 students per teacher
#21 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Thales Academy Apex K-5
Independent school · Grades K–5
Growing: enrollment up 71% since 2011–12
Apex, NC
BOverall grade550 students20 students per teacher
#22 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Apex
Apex, NC
BOverall grade543 students15 students per teacher
#23 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
Oak City Academy
Christian (nondenominational) · Montessori · Grades Pre-K–8
A Montessori school in Garner
Garner, NC
BOverall grade175 students8 students per teacher
#24 Best Private Schools in Wake County, NC
North Raleigh Christian Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest of 307 Christian schools in North Carolina
Raleigh, NC
BOverall grade1,568 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.