#25 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Emerson Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
A+Overall grade266 students7 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Private high schools in North Carolina with the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 134 schools.
#26 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
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
#27 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Charlotte Latin School
Independent school · Grades K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in North Carolina
Charlotte, NC
A+Overall grade1,523 students8 students per teacher
#28 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Pope John Paul II Catholic H S
Independent Catholic school · Grades 9–12
Smaller classes than 75% of Catholic schools nationwide
Greenville, NC
A+Overall grade248 students10 students per teacher
#29 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Durham Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Durham
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade1,213 students8 students per teacher
#30 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Davidson Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Davidson, NC
A+Overall grade456 students8 students per teacher
#31 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Sheets Memorial Christian School
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 68% of Christian schools in North Carolina
Lexington, NC
AOverall grade239 students8 students per teacher
#32 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Fayetteville Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
96% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Fayetteville, NC
AOverall grade364 students9 students per teacher
#33 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Village Christian Academy
Baptist school · Grades K–12
92% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Fayetteville, NC
AOverall grade580 students10 students per teacher
#34 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Gospel Light Christian School
Baptist school · Grades K–12
Smaller classes than 68% of Christian schools in North Carolina
Winston-Salem, NC
AOverall grade359 students8 students per teacher
#35 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Salem Academy
Independent school · Grades 9–12
The only all-girls school in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, NC
AOverall gradeAll girls76 students6 students per teacher
#36 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Southlake Christian Academy
Presbyterian school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 85% of Christian schools in North Carolina
Huntersville, NC
AOverall grade611 students7 students per teacher
#37 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Greenfield School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Wilson
Wilson, NC
AOverall grade363 students8 students per teacher
#38 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Gaston Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
97% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Gastonia, NC
AOverall grade398 students9 students per teacher
#39 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
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
#40 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Community Baptist School
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest Christian school in Reidsville
Reidsville, NC
AOverall grade223 students10 students per teacher
#41 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Christ the King Catholic High School
Diocesan school · Grades 9–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Huntersville, NC
AOverall grade416 students13 students per teacher
#42 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Cannon School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Concord
Concord, NC
AOverall grade1,017 students11 students per teacher
#43 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Community Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
99% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Wilson, NC
A-Overall grade378 students11 students per teacher
#44 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Mount Pisqah Academy
Seventh-day Adventist school · Grades 9–12
One of the most diverse private schools in North Carolina
Candler, NC
A-Overall grade96 students10 students per teacher
#45 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
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
#46 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Charlotte Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades K–12
One of the 3 largest Christian schools in North Carolina
Charlotte, NC
A-Overall grade1,239 students12 students per teacher
#47 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
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
#48 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina
Asheville Christian Academy
Religious school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest of 16 private schools in North Carolina
Swannanoa, NC
A-Overall grade757 students11 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.