NCNorth Carolina rankings

Towns with the best public schools in North Carolina

Ranked by how far each town's public schools score above or below the North Carolina average in math and reading proficiency, weighted by enrollment. 252 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-yearTest scores SY2020–21

North Carolina · Best schools

Waxhaw ranks #52 of 252

+13.9 pts vs. the NC average in math + reading · Visit Waxhaw →

1 Weddington +42.8 pts Math 89.3% · Reading 85.3%

2 Wrightsville Beach +42.5 pts Math 87% · Reading 87%

3 Marvin +39.0 pts Math 86% · Reading 81%

#Townvs. state averageMathReading

WeddingtonUnion County Public Schools +42.8 pts 89.3% 85.3%

Wrightsville BeachNew Hanover County Schools +42.5 pts 87% 87%

MarvinUnion County Public Schools +39.0 pts 86% 81%

4 Oak RidgeGuilford County Schools +38.5 pts 88% 78%

5 Wesley ChapelUnion County Public Schools +37.2 pts 84.5% 79%

6 OgdenNew Hanover County Schools +34.5 pts 82% 76%

7 MorrisvilleWake County Schools +31.2 pts 72% 79.5%

DavidsonCommunity School of Davidson +31.0 pts 73.7% 77.3%

9 ApexWake County Schools +27.8 pts 71.9% 72.7%

10 Seven LakesMoore County Schools +27.5 pts 75% 69%

CorneliusCharlotte-Mecklenburg Schools +26.5 pts 72.1% 69.9%

PinehurstMoore County Schools +26.5 pts 75% 67%

Cape CarteretCarteret County Public Schools +26.0 pts 76% 65%

CaryWake County Schools +25.6 pts 68.2% 71.9%

15 Lake Norman of CatawbaCatawba County Schools +25.0 pts 75% 64%

16 Mountain HomeHenderson County Schools +23.5 pts 73% 63%

17 BelmontGaston County Schools +23.3 pts 72% 63.5%

18 SummerfieldRevolution Academy +23.0 pts 70.2% 64.9%

19 Briar ChapelChatham County Schools +23.0 pts 61.5% 73.4%

WilkesboroWilkes County Schools +23.0 pts 72% 63%

21 Lake Norman of IredellIredell-Statesville Schools +22.9 pts 71.6% 63.1%

22 CramertonGaston County Schools +22.8 pts 74% 60.5%

23 WallburgDavidson County Schools +22.5 pts 70% 64%

BooneWatauga County Schools +22.2 pts 67.8% 65.6%

25 StokesdaleGuilford County Schools +22.0 pts 64% 69%

Mills RiverHenderson County Schools +21.9 pts 67.9% 64.8%

27 Morehead CityCarteret County Public Schools +21.6 pts 68.2% 64%

Holly SpringsWake County Schools +21.5 pts 63.2% 68.8%

Wake ForestWake County Schools +21.4 pts 62.7% 69%

MooresvilleMooresville Graded School District +21.4 pts 64.9% 66.9%

31 HarrisburgCabarrus County Schools +21.3 pts 65.9% 65.7%

Southern PinesMoore County Schools +20.0 pts 61.6% 67.5%

33 FairviewUnion County Public Schools +20.0 pts 72% 57%

UnionvilleUnion County Public Schools +19.5 pts 66.2% 61.7%

35 Chapel HillChapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools +19.2 pts 65.2% 62.3%

36 StallingsUnion County Public Schools +19.0 pts 67% 60%

LewisvilleWinston Salem / Forsyth County Schools +19.0 pts 60% 67%

CarrboroChapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools +18.6 pts 59.8% 66.5%

39 SwansboroOnslow County Schools +18.0 pts 65% 60%

FranklinMacon County Schools +17.6 pts 69.8% 54.5%

WeavervilleBuncombe County Schools +17.5 pts 57% 67%

42 ClemmonsWinston Salem / Forsyth County Schools +16.5 pts 55.1% 66.9%

43 ElkinElkin City Schools +16.0 pts 53.2% 67.8%

44 Indian TrailUnion County Public Schools +15.4 pts 58.3% 61.5%

45 HampsteadPender County Schools +15.0 pts 61% 58%

MatthewsCharlotte-Mecklenburg Schools +14.8 pts 62.7% 56%

47 NorthchaseNew Hanover County Schools +14.8 pts 57.9% 60.6%

48 MurraysvilleNew Hanover County Schools +14.7 pts 58.6% 59.8%

49 Surf CityPender County Schools +14.7 pts 59.7% 58.6%

CarthageMoore County Schools +14.2 pts 54.7% 62.7%

51 HillsboroughOrange County Schools +14.0 pts 54.2% 62.7%

52 WaxhawUnion County Public Schools +13.9 pts 58.7% 58.2%

HendersonvilleHenderson County Schools +13.8 pts 52.3% 64.2%

54 PolktonAnson County Schools +13.8 pts 49.5% 67%

Southern ShoresDare County Schools +13.5 pts 56% 60%

56 BeaufortCarteret County Public Schools +13.4 pts 54.7% 61%

57 SouthportBrunswick County Schools +13.0 pts 59% 56%

58 WentworthRockingham County Schools +13.0 pts 60.7% 54.2%

HudsonCaldwell County Schools +12.6 pts 54.4% 59.9%

60 Carolina BeachNew Hanover County Schools +12.5 pts 55% 59%

61 LocustStanly County Schools +12.5 pts 60% 54%

62 Royal PinesBuncombe County Schools +12.0 pts 54% 59%

St. StephensCatawba County Schools +11.9 pts 58.5% 54.4%

PittsboroChatham County Schools +11.9 pts 51.1% 61.7%

Mount AiryMount Airy City Schools +11.8 pts 54% 58.5%

HuntersvilleCharlotte-Mecklenburg Schools +11.7 pts 55.5% 56.9%

67 Porters NeckAmerican Leadership Academy-Coastal +11.6 pts 55% 57.2%

Trent WoodsCraven County Board of Education +11.5 pts 58% 54%

Kings MountainCleveland County Schools +11.2 pts 55.9% 55.6%

70 TrinityRandolph County School System +11.2 pts 59.6% 51.8%

71 WelcomeDavidson County Schools +11.2 pts 57.8% 53.6%

72 MidwayDavidson County Schools +11.0 pts 58% 53%

ValdeseBurke County Schools +10.7 pts 50.8% 59.7%

74 Boiling Spring LakesBrunswick County Schools +10.1 pts 54.9% 54.3%

Half MoonOnslow County Schools +10.0 pts 57% 52%

76 MaidenCatawba County Schools +10.0 pts 54.6% 54.4%

77 Fuquay-VarinaWake County Schools +9.2 pts 49.8% 57.6%

BrevardTransylvania County Schools +9.2 pts 51.8% 55.6%

TroutmanIredell-Statesville Schools +9.0 pts 50% 57%

80 RockfishHoke County Schools +9.0 pts 54% 53%

81 CantonHaywood County Schools +8.7 pts 54.2% 52.1%

HavelockCraven County Board of Education +8.5 pts 52.7% 53.2%

83 Black MountainBuncombe County Schools +8.5 pts 50.7% 55.4%

NewtonNewton Conover City Schools +8.0 pts 56.6% 48.4%

MarionMcDowell County Schools +7.7 pts 48.6% 55.8%

RaleighWake County Schools +7.5 pts 46.9% 57.1%

FletcherFernLeaf Community Charter School +7.5 pts 42% 62%

88 EtowahHenderson County Schools +7.5 pts 52% 52%

89 EdentonEdenton-Chowan Schools +7.5 pts 57% 47%

North WilkesboroWilkes County Schools +7.5 pts 57% 47%

91 BethlehemAlexander County Schools +7.5 pts 52% 52%

YadkinvilleYadkin County Schools +7.5 pts 51.9% 52.1%

MonroeUnion County Public Schools +7.3 pts 53.3% 50.3%

OxfordOxford Preparatory School +7.1 pts 52.9% 50.3%

95 Siler CityChatham County Schools +7.1 pts 47.6% 55.6%

96 Boiling SpringsCleveland County Schools +7.0 pts 53% 50%

Granite FallsCaldwell County Schools +6.9 pts 48.8% 54.1%

98 JamestownGuilford County Schools +6.8 pts 48.3% 54.2%

99 AshevilleBuncombe County Schools +6.7 pts 46.3% 56.2%

100 WaynesvilleHaywood County Schools +6.7 pts 50.1% 52.4%

101

ConcordCabarrus County Schools +6.4 pts 50.9% 50.8%

102 ClintonClinton City Schools +6.4 pts 55.3% 46.4%

103 ShallotteBrunswick County Schools +6.1 pts 47% 54.2%

104

RolesvilleWake County Schools +6.0 pts 49% 51.9%

105

Kill Devil HillsDare County Schools +5.9 pts 51.9% 48.9%

106 WhitevilleWhiteville City Schools +5.7 pts 51.2% 49.1%

107 WintervillePitt County Schools +5.1 pts 45.5% 53.8%

108

JacksonvilleOnslow County Schools +5.0 pts 48.5% 50.5%

109

Pleasant GardenGuilford County Schools +5.0 pts 52% 47%

110

ArchdaleRandolph County School System +4.8 pts 51.1% 47.5%

111 East Flat RockHenderson County Schools +4.7 pts 47% 51.5%

112 ButnerFalls Lake Academy +4.4 pts 41.6% 56.2%

113 EastoverCumberland County Schools +4.3 pts 47.2% 50.3%

114 WilmingtonNew Hanover County Schools +4.2 pts 47.2% 50.3%

115 CherryvilleGaston County Schools +4.2 pts 52.1% 45.2%

116 HickoryHickory City Schools +4.1 pts 47% 50.1%

117 Mount HollyGaston County Schools +3.5 pts 49.5% 46.5%

118 MorgantonBurke County Schools +3.5 pts 51% 45%

119 MoyockCurrituck County Schools +3.5 pts 44.9% 51%

120 TyroDavidson County Schools +3.5 pts 47.4% 48.7%

121

Mars HillMadison County Schools +3.5 pts 45% 51%

122 Anderson CreekHarnett County Schools +3.3 pts 43.7% 51.9%

123

Mineral SpringsUnion County Public Schools +3.0 pts 46% 49%

124

ShelbyCleveland County Schools +2.7 pts 43.2% 51.3%

125

MocksvilleDavie County Schools +2.6 pts 47.8% 46.5%

126 CreedmoorGranville County Schools +2.5 pts 45.1% 48.9%

127 MidlandCabarrus County Schools +2.5 pts 46% 48%

128 Nags HeadDare County Schools +2.5 pts 48% 46%

129

OakboroStanly County Schools +2.5 pts 47% 47%

130 NewportCarteret County Public Schools +2.4 pts 44.8% 48.9%

131

Forest OaksGuilford County Schools +2.3 pts 45.3% 48.3%

132

ConoverNewton Conover City Schools +2.1 pts 49.4% 43.8%

133 New BernCraven County Board of Education +2.0 pts 42.3% 50.8%

134 HendersonHenderson Collegiate +2.0 pts 42.3% 50.8%

135 RoxboroPerson County Schools +2.0 pts 44.4% 48.7%

136

ClaytonJohnston County Public Schools +1.8 pts 45.4% 47.3%

137 MebaneAlamance-Burlington Schools +1.7 pts 42.7% 49.8%

138 GibsonvilleGuilford County Schools +1.5 pts 46% 46%

139

Mint HillCharlotte-Mecklenburg Schools +1.3 pts 44.5% 47%

140 LelandBrunswick County Schools +1.2 pts 46.7% 44.7%

141 AberdeenMoore County Schools +1.1 pts 43.1% 48.1%

142 Myrtle GroveNew Hanover County Schools +0.7 pts 39.2% 51.1%

143

LincolntonLincoln County Schools +0.7 pts 47.9% 42.5%

144

Archer LodgeJohnston County Public Schools +0.5 pts 43% 47%

145 CharlotteCharlotte-Mecklenburg Schools +0.3 pts 43.4% 46.3%

146

Piney GreenOnslow County Schools +0.1 pts 42.5% 46.7%

147

Buies CreekHarnett County Schools 0.0 pts 42% 47%

148

YoungsvilleFranklin County Schools 0.0 pts 47% 42%

149 StanleyGaston County Schools −0.3 pts 42.7% 45.8%

150

Forest CityRutherford County Schools −1.0 pts 46.7% 40.3%

151

SmithfieldJohnston County Public Schools −1.1 pts 38.3% 48.4%

152

GreenvillePitt County Schools −1.2 pts 40.3% 46.3%

153

RaefordHoke County Schools −1.4 pts 42.5% 43.8%

154 James CityCraven County Board of Education −1.5 pts 41% 45%

155

RandlemanRandolph County School System −1.5 pts 48% 38%

156

China GroveRowan-Salisbury Schools −2.3 pts 39.7% 44.6%

157

KingStokes County Schools −2.5 pts 47% 37%

158 BurgawPender County Schools −2.5 pts 40.5% 43.6%

159

GreensboroGuilford County Schools −2.7 pts 39.3% 44.4%

160 GastoniaGaston County Schools −3.1 pts 41.8% 41%

161 LenoirCaldwell County Schools −4.2 pts 39.1% 41.5%

162 HamletRichmond County Schools −4.2 pts 39.3% 41.2%

163

ThomasvilleThomasville City Schools −4.4 pts 42.2% 38%

164

PinevilleCharlotte-Mecklenburg Schools −4.5 pts 39% 41%

165

High PointGuilford County Schools −5.0 pts 37% 42%

166 JonesvilleYadkin County Schools −5.0 pts 37% 42%

167

LibertyRandolph County School System −5.0 pts 42% 37%

168 KannapolisKannapolis City Schools −5.1 pts 39.4% 39.4%

169

WashingtonBeaufort County Schools −5.3 pts 35.5% 42.8%

170

GoldsboroWayne County Public Schools −5.5 pts 35.2% 42.7%

171 StatesvilleIredell-Statesville Schools −5.5 pts 41.8% 36.3%

172

AsheboroAsheboro City Schools −5.5 pts 38.3% 39.6%

173

TobaccovilleWinston Salem / Forsyth County Schools −5.5 pts 37% 41%

174 GrahamAlamance-Burlington Schools −5.6 pts 33.5% 44.3%

175 ZebulonWake County Schools −5.8 pts 32.3% 45%

176 SanfordLee County Schools −5.9 pts 34.2% 42.9%

177 BarbecueHarnett County Schools −5.9 pts 35.6% 41.5%

178 GarnerWake County Schools −6.3 pts 33.7% 42.8%

179 ErwinHarnett County Schools −6.8 pts 32.7% 42.7%

180 LaurinburgScotland County Schools −7.1 pts 40.8% 34.1%

181

LandisRowan-Salisbury Schools −7.1 pts 36% 38.9%

182

FarmvillePitt County Schools −7.2 pts 34.5% 40.2%

183 WilsonWilson County Schools −7.5 pts 36% 38%

184

ElonAlamance-Burlington Schools −7.5 pts 31% 43%

185 Silver LakeNew Hanover County Schools −7.5 pts 37% 37%

186 AngierCarolina Charter Academy: CFA −7.5 pts 31.8% 42.3%

187

SwepsonvilleAlamance-Burlington Schools −7.5 pts 32% 42%

188 WendellWake County Schools −7.6 pts 29.9% 44%

189 CullowheeJackson County Public Schools −7.6 pts 34.2% 39.7%

190

Roanoke RapidsRoanoke Rapids City Schools −8.2 pts 35.9% 36.6%

191

DurhamDurham Public Schools −8.3 pts 31.1% 41.3%

192

LouisburgFranklin County Schools −8.4 pts 34.2% 37.9%

193

LowellGaston County Schools −8.5 pts 36% 36%

194

Winston-SalemWinston Salem / Forsyth County Schools −8.8 pts 32.4% 39%

195 Hope MillsCumberland County Schools −9.1 pts 34.7% 36.2%

196 LexingtonLexington City Schools −9.3 pts 30.4% 39.9%

197

DallasGaston County Schools −9.5 pts 39% 31%

198

MarshvilleUnion County Public Schools −9.6 pts 35.2% 34.5%

199

SawmillsCaldwell County Schools −10.0 pts 32% 37%

200 EdenRockingham County Schools −10.4 pts 30% 38.2%

201

KernersvilleWinston Salem / Forsyth County Schools −10.7 pts 30.1% 37.5%

202 AydenPitt County Schools −10.9 pts 31.4% 35.8%

203 GamewellCaldwell County Schools −11.0 pts 29% 38%

204

La GrangeLenoir County Public Schools −11.1 pts 33.4% 33.4%

205 SwannanoaBuncombe County Schools −11.3 pts 28.9% 37.5%

206 DanaHenderson County Schools −11.5 pts 33% 33%

207 FayettevilleCumberland County Schools −11.7 pts 30% 35.7%

208

Elizabeth CityElizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools −11.9 pts 28.1% 37%

209

WingateUnion County Public Schools −12.0 pts 38% 27%

210 SpindaleRutherford County Schools −12.5 pts 27% 37%

211 RockinghamRichmond County Schools −12.7 pts 27% 36.7%

212 AlbemarleStanly County Schools −12.8 pts 32.2% 31.2%

213

LumbertonPublic Schools of Robeson County −13.0 pts 29% 34.1%

214

WilliamstonMartin County Schools −13.0 pts 28% 35%

215

ReidsvilleRockingham County Schools −13.1 pts 30.9% 31.9%

216

BurlingtonAlamance-Burlington Schools −13.3 pts 25.7% 36.7%

217 SalisburyRowan-Salisbury Schools −13.5 pts 28% 34%

218 Red OakNash County Public Schools −13.5 pts 24% 38%

219

Bessemer CityGaston County Schools −14.4 pts 30.7% 29.5%

220 Rural HallWinston Salem / Forsyth County Schools −14.5 pts 26% 34%

221 Granite QuarryRowan-Salisbury Schools −14.5 pts 25% 35%

222 BensonJohnston County Public Schools −15.0 pts 27% 32%

223 ElizabethtownEmereau: Bladen −15.4 pts 22% 36.1%

224

KnightdaleWake County Schools −16.0 pts 18.7% 38.3%

225 Mount OliveWayne County Public Schools −17.0 pts 20% 35%

226 EmmaBuncombe County Schools −17.5 pts 22% 32%

227

TroyMontgomery County Schools −17.6 pts 24.1% 29.7%

228 FranklintonFranklin County Schools −17.7 pts 28% 25.7%

229 St. PaulsPublic Schools of Robeson County −17.9 pts 26.2% 27%

230 NashvilleNash County Public Schools −18.0 pts 24% 29%

231 GriftonPitt County Schools −18.0 pts 23% 30%

232

TarboroEdgecombe County Public Schools −18.4 pts 22% 30.1%

233 WrightsboroNew Hanover County Schools −19.5 pts 21% 29%

234 Spring LakeCumberland County Schools −20.2 pts 17.4% 31.3%

235

Rocky MountNash County Public Schools −20.6 pts 17.8% 29.9%

236 KinstonLenoir County Public Schools −20.9 pts 24% 23.1%

237 DunnHarnett County Schools −21.4 pts 25.5% 20.6%

238 Wilson's MillsJohnston County Public Schools −22.0 pts 22% 23%

239 PembrokePublic Schools of Robeson County −22.6 pts 17.7% 26%

240

SelmaJohnston County Public Schools −23.3 pts 23.3% 19%

241

AhoskieHertford County Schools −23.4 pts 18.7% 23.5%

242 Red SpringsPublic Schools of Robeson County −23.8 pts 15.8% 25.5%

243 WalkertownWinston Salem / Forsyth County Schools −24.8 pts 16.8% 22.7%

244 PlymouthWashington County Schools −24.8 pts 15% 24.5%

245 SpencerRowan-Salisbury Schools −24.9 pts 9.9% 29.2%

246 WallaceDuplin County Schools −25.0 pts 16% 23%

247 WarsawDuplin County Schools −25.5 pts 13% 25%

248 BrogdenWayne County Public Schools −26.0 pts 13% 24%

249

MurfreesboroHertford County Schools −29.0 pts 6.6% 24.3%

250 WadesboroAnson County Schools −29.6 pts 14.4% 15.3%

251 Haw RiverAlamance-Burlington Schools −31.5 pts 7% 19%

252 RanloGaston County Schools −39.5 pts 5% 5%

How this ranking works

For every public school in a town we take its latest math and reading proficiency and subtract the North Carolina average for the same test. The town’s score is the average of those gaps, weighted by each school’s enrollment, so a big high school counts more than a small annex. Private schools aren’t included.

Each state writes its own tests, so these scores compare towns within North Carolina only. We don’t rank a town unless at least 150 students in its schools were tested. Test data: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21).

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

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