#1 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
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 Independent Schools in North Carolina
The highest-graded schools of this kind in North Carolina. Top 50 of 62 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
New Garden Friends School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 86% of independent schools in North Carolina
Greensboro, NC
A+Overall grade224 students5 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
The Oakwood School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 78% of independent schools in North Carolina
Greenville, NC
A+Overall grade313 students5 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Durham Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Durham
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade1,213 students7 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Charlotte Preparatory School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 90% of independent schools in North Carolina
Charlotte, NC
A+Overall grade357 students4 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
The O'Neal School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Southern Pines
Southern Pines, NC
A+Overall grade483 students8 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
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
#8 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Cary Academy
Independent school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Cary, NC
A+Overall grade789 students10 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Odyssey Community School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 78% of independent schools in North Carolina
Asheville, NC
A+Overall grade121 students5 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Carolina Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Asheville
Asheville, NC
A+Overall grade587 students8 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Summit School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–9
Smaller classes than 84% of independent schools in North Carolina
Winston-Salem, NC
A+Overall grade482 students5 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Westchester Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in High Point
High Point, NC
A+Overall grade433 students7 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Triangle Day School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Growing: enrollment up 59% since 2011–12
Durham, NC
A+Overall grade321 students7 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
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
#15 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
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
#16 Best Independent 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
#17 Best Independent 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
#18 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Morganton Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Morganton
Morganton, NC
A+Overall grade78 students5 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Highlander Academy
Independent school · Grades K–12
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
Red Springs, NC
A+Overall grade90 students8 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent 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
#21 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
First Impressions Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Serving families in Fayetteville since at least 2011
Fayetteville, NC
A+Overall grade227 students9 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Salisbury Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–11
Smaller classes than 76% of independent schools in North Carolina
Salisbury, NC
A+Overall grade197 students6 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent 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
#24 Best Independent 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
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.