Best Schools in Raleigh, NC — 2026 Rankings
Raleigh, NC has 100 ranked schools. Raleigh Charter High School leads with a 9.5/10 rating. See the full 2026 rankings.
With 100 schools serving families across the area, Raleigh offers one of North Carolina’s most diverse educational landscapes. Whether you’re looking for a high-performing elementary school or a top-rated high school, the data can help you find the right fit.
Raleigh at a Glance
- Total Schools: 100
- Total Students: 67,418
- City Average Score: 6.1/10
- Top School Score: 9.5/10
- Average Student-Teacher Ratio: 13.5:1
- School Types: 63 Elementary, 18 Middle, 17 High, 2 K-12 / Other
- Charter Schools: 11
Top 10 Schools in Raleigh
| Rank | School | Level | Score | Enrollment | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh Charter High School | High | 9.5 | 560 | 12.7:1 |
| 2 | Quest Academy | Elementary | 9.4 | 144 | 13.1:1 |
| 3 | Magellan Charter | Middle | 8.9 | 410 | 14.1:1 |
| 4 | Leesville Road Elementary | Elementary | 8.9 | 540 | 13.5:1 |
| 5 | Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy | High | 8.9 | 279 | 14.7:1 |
| 6 | Barton Pond Elementary | Elementary | 8.8 | 504 | 14.0:1 |
| 7 | Hunter Elementary | Elementary | 8.5 | 630 | 12.9:1 |
| 8 | Moore Square Middle | Middle | 8.4 | 590 | 11.6:1 |
| 9 | Wake Early College of Health and Science | High | 8.4 | 328 | 21.9:1 |
| 10 | Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy | High | 8.4 | 358 | 17.0:1 |
About Raleigh Charter High School
Raleigh Charter High School leads our Raleigh rankings with a composite score of 9.5 out of 10. The school stands out for strong academics (9.9/10) and excellent equity metrics (9.2/10) and a supportive school environment (8.6/10). As a high school serving 560 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, it offers a competitive learning environment.
Score Breakdown: How Raleigh’s Top Schools Compare
The gap between the top-ranked and third-ranked school in Raleigh is moderate (0.6 points), suggesting a clear tier of top performers. Our composite score weighs four factors: academic performance (test scores), student growth over time, equity (how well the school serves all student groups), and environment (class size, teacher ratios, and resources).
Beyond the Rankings
A high composite score tells you a school performs well on measurable outcomes, but every family’s priorities are different. Some parents value small class sizes above all else; others prioritize diversity or specialized programs.
Use our methodology page to understand exactly how scores are calculated, and browse individual school profiles for the full picture.
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