2026 lists
Private schools in North Carolina with elementary grades and the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 322 schools.
#1 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 89% of Catholic schools in North Carolina
Winston-Salem, NC
#2 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 96% of Christian schools in North Carolina
Charlotte, NC
#3 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Alternative school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Charlotte, NC
#4 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 88% of independent schools in North Carolina
Durham, NC
#5 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 81% of Catholic schools in North Carolina
Charlotte, NC
#6 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 86% of independent schools in North Carolina
Greensboro, NC
#7 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 78% of independent schools in North Carolina
Greenville, NC
#8 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–5
Smaller classes than 94% of Catholic schools in North Carolina
Charlotte, NC
#9 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the most diverse private schools in North Carolina
Matthews, NC
#10 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Durham
Durham, NC
#11 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–12
Smaller classes than 82% of Christian schools in North Carolina
Statesville, NC
#12 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Hendersonville
Hendersonville, NC
#13 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Burlington
Burlington, NC
#14 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Salisbury
Salisbury, NC
#15 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
90% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Raleigh, NC
#16 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 90% of independent schools in North Carolina
Charlotte, NC
#17 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–12
Smaller classes than 98% of Christian schools in North Carolina
Spindale, NC
#18 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Baptist school · Grades K–8
The smallest classes of any Christian school in Durham
Durham, NC
#19 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Methodist school · Grades K–12
Smaller classes than 82% of Christian schools in North Carolina
High Point, NC
#20 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Baptist school · Grades K–12
94% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Charlotte, NC
#21 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Islamic school · Grades Pre-K–12
The smallest classes of any private school in Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
#22 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Diocesan school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only Catholic school in Southern Pines
Southern Pines, NC
#23 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Southern Pines
Southern Pines, NC
#24 Best Private Elementary Schools in North Carolina
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 37% since 2011–12
Fayetteville, NC
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.