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Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in North Carolina (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best North Carolina Blue Ribbon Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 94 blue ribbon public schools serving 48,189 students in North Carolina.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public schools in North Carolina are Brown Summit Middle School, Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy and Highland School Of Technology. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
North Carolina blue ribbon public schools have an average math proficiency score of 75% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in North Carolina (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Brown Summit Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥99% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4720 Nc Highway 150 East
Browns Summit, NC 27214
(336) 656-0432
Gr: 6-8 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #22.
Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy
Charter School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5225 Seventy-seven Center Dr
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 503-1112
Gr: K-8 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Highland School Of Technology
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1600 N Morris Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Gr: 9-12 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Nesbitt Discovery Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
175 Bingham Rd Ste 10
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Gr: 9-12 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #55.
Central Academy Of Technology And Arts
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
600 Brewer Dr
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 296-3088
Gr: 9-12 | 875 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #66.
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1307 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Gr: 9-12 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #77.
Brunswick County Early College
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
50 College Road Ne
Supply, NC 28462
(910) 756-5030
Gr: 9-13 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #88.
Providence High School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1800 Pineville-matthews Rd
Charlotte, NC 28270
(980) 343-5390
Gr: 9-12 | 2,167 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Early College At Guilford
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5608 West Friendly Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27410
(336) 316-2860
Gr: 9-12 | 193 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Haywood Early College
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
185 Freedlander Drive
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 565-4000
Gr: 9-13 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 42:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1111.
J D Clement Early College High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1801 Fayetteville Street, Nccu
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-2696
Gr: 9-13 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1212.
Riverbend Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
71 Learning Lane
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-6565
Gr: K-5 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1313.
Providence Spring Elementary School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
10045 Providence Church Ln
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-6935
Gr: K-5 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1414.
Wrightsville Beach Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
220 Coral Drive
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
(910) 256-3171
Gr: K-5 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1515.
Weddington Middle School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5903 Deal Road
Matthews, NC 28104
(704) 296-6318
Gr: 6-8 | 1,324 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1616.
Sampson Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1801 Sunset Ave
Clinton, NC 28329
(910) 592-7177
Gr: 9-13 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1717.
Psrc Early College At Rcc
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5160 Fayetteville Road
Lumberton, NC 28360
(910) 737-5232
Gr: 9-13 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1818.
Cross Creek Early College
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1200 Murchison Road
Fayetteville, NC 28301
(910) 500-7551
Gr: 9-12 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Davis Drive Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2151 Davis Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-2130
Gr: K-5 | 794 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Davis Drive Middle School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2101 Davis Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-3033
Gr: 6-8 | 992 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2121.
Caldwell Early College
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2859 Hickory Blvd Sw
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 759-4636
Gr: 9-13 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2222.
Greensboro Academy
Charter School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4049 Battleground Ave
Greensboro, NC 27410
(336) 286-8404
Gr: K-8 | 777 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2323.
Rutherford Early College High School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
286 Icc Loop Road
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 288-2202
Gr: 9-13 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 52:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Hawk Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
9201 Bryant Farms Rd
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-5927
Gr: PK-5 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Union Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
180 Union School Road Nw
Shallotte, NC 28470
(910) 756-5900
Gr: K-5 | 654 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #26 - 2826. - 28.
Mcdowell Early College
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
54 College Drive
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 659-0411
Gr: 9-13 | 193 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #26 - 2826. - 28.
Pender Early College High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
100 East Industrial Drive
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 362-7925
Gr: 9-13 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 51:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #26 - 2826. - 28.
Stem Early College Nc A&t Su
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
402 Laurel Street
Greensboro, NC 27411
(336) 370-8580
Gr: 9-12 | 192 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2929.
Jay M. Robinson Middle School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5925 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-6944
Gr: 6-8 | 1,333 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #3030.
Southeastern Academy
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
12251 Nc Hwy 41 North
Lumberton, NC 28358
(910) 738-7828
Gr: K-8 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3131.
Rock Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
6605 Rock Ridge School Rd
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7955
Gr: K-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #3232.
Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6701 Gordon Road
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 397-1544
Gr: K-5 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #3333.
Glenn C Marlow Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1985 Butler Bridge Road
Mills River, NC 28759
(828) 654-3225
Gr: K-5 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #3434.
Hendersonville Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1039 Randall Circle
Hendersonville, NC 28791
(828) 697-4752
Gr: K-5 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #3535.
Beverly Woods Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6001 Quail Hollow Rd
Charlotte, NC 28210
(980) 343-3627
Gr: K-5 | 645 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public schools in North Carolina?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public schools in North Carolina include Brown Summit Middle School, Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy and Highland School Of Technology.
How many blue ribbon public schools are located in North Carolina?
94 blue ribbon public schools are located in North Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in North Carolina?
North Carolina blue ribbon public schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

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