#25 Best Independent 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
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
The highest-graded schools of this kind in North Carolina. Top 50 of 62 schools.
#26 Best Independent 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
#27 Best Independent 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
#28 Best Independent 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
#29 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Asheville Waldorf School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 67% of independent schools in North Carolina
Asheville, NC
A-Overall grade104 students6 students per teacher
#30 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
French Broad River Academy Boys Program
Independent school · Grades 6–8
Smaller classes than 77% of independent schools in North Carolina
Asheville, NC
A-Overall grade125 students5 students per teacher
#31 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
The New Classical Academy
Independent school · Grades K–8
Growing: enrollment up 103% since 2011–12
Asheville, NC
A-Overall grade75 students8 students per teacher
#32 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Oak Ridge Military Academy
Independent school · Grades 7–12
Growing: enrollment up 75% since 2011–12
Oak Ridge, NC
B+Overall grade93 students7 students per teacher
#33 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Walton Academy
Independent school · Grades K–5
One of 2 independent schools in Greenville
Greenville, NC
B+Overall grade81 students12 students per teacher
#34 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Cape Fear Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest independent school in Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
B+Overall grade709 students10 students per teacher
#35 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
New Horizons Elementary School
Independent school · Grades K–5
Smaller classes than 69% of independent schools in North Carolina
Wilmington, NC
B+Overall grade99 students6 students per teacher
#36 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Kerr Vance Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Henderson
Henderson, NC
B+Overall grade154 students8 students per teacher
#37 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Hanger Hall School
Independent school · Grades 6–8
Growing: enrollment up 24% since 2011–12
Asheville, NC
B+Overall gradeAll girls83 students11 students per teacher
#38 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
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
#39 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Wilmington Academy of Arts & Sciences
Independent school · Grades 4–8
Growing: enrollment up 44% since 2011–12
Wilmington, NC
B+Overall grade88 students14 students per teacher
#40 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Wayne Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Goldsboro
Goldsboro, NC
B+Overall grade287 students19 students per teacher
#41 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Rainbow Community School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
Growing: enrollment up 54% since 2013–14
Asheville, NC
B+Overall grade171 students11 students per teacher
#42 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
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
#43 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Friendship Day School for the Sciences & the Arts
Independent school · Grades K–5
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
Charlotte, NC
BOverall grade72 students8 students per teacher
#44 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
The Burlington School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
90% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Burlington, NC
BOverall grade384 students11 students per teacher
#45 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Thales Academy
Independent school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Rolesville, NC
BOverall grade625 students18 students per teacher
#46 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Forsyth Country Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest of 115 independent schools in North Carolina
Lewisville, NC
BOverall grade2,150 students24 students per teacher
#47 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Northeast Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 64% of independent schools in North Carolina
Lasker, NC
BOverall grade171 students7 students per teacher
#48 Best Independent Schools in North Carolina
Thales Academy
Independent school · Grades K–5
The only independent school in Wake Forest
Wake Forest, NC
BOverall grade656 students23 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.