The top-rated elementary schools in Raleigh for 2026 are Barton Pond Elementary (9.2/10), Leesville Road Elementary (9.1/10), and North Ridge Elementary (8.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 63 elementary schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Raleigh's 63 ranked elementary schools average a composite score of 7.2 out of 10 — a strong baseline that reflects the metro's well-documented investment in public education. Partnership Elementary leads the field at 9.3/10, followed closely by Poe and Stough Elementary, each at 9.0, and Leesville Road Elementary at 8.9. RISE Southeast Raleigh Charter rounds out the top five at 8.7, signaling that charter options are competitive with traditional public schools at the highest levels. The spread matters for families weighing neighborhoods and enrollment zones. Thirty-seven schools — 59% of the ranked list — score 7 or above, meaning quality options are broadly distributed rather than concentrated in a handful of zip codes. Use the table below to sort by score, school type, or other metrics to find the right fit for your child.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and North Carolina education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in North Carolina. Learn about our methodology.
Wake County Schools
504 students · 14.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 1% in North Carolina
Wake County Schools
540 students · 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 1% in North Carolina
Wake County Schools
704 students · 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 2% in North Carolina
Rise Southeast Raleigh Charter School
483 students · 11.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 3% in North Carolina · charter
Wake County Schools
438 students · 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 4% in North Carolina
Wake County Schools
248 students · 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 5% in North Carolina
Doral Academy North Carolina
453 students · 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 5% in North Carolina · charter
Wake County Schools
292 students · 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 6% in North Carolina
Wake County Schools
415 students · 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 6% in North Carolina
Wake County Schools
540 students · 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 7% in North Carolina
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Barton Pond Elementary is the top-rated elementary school in Raleigh with a composite score of 9.2/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
Raleigh has 82 elementary schools, including 6 charter schools. Of these, 73 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
Among 73 Raleigh elementary schools with a composite score, the average is 6.6/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in North Carolina).
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within North Carolina, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in North Carolina, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Raleigh has 6 charter elementary schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Guide
Raleigh-Durham's school landscape spans 5 counties with wildly different approaches to school choice. Here's what parents relocating to the Triangle need to know about school assignment, magnet options, and top districts.