Best Schools in Concord, North Carolina
41 schools · 15 Elementary · 7 Middle · 10 High · 9 Other
Choosing a school in Concord?
Use this page to compare every school in Concord by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Rocky River Elementary
Elementary · Cabarrus County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Northwest Cabarrus Middle
Middle · Cabarrus County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
W M Irvin Elementary
Elementary · Cabarrus County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Concord for 2026 are Rocky River Elementary (8.4/10), Northwest Cabarrus Middle (7.8/10), and W M Irvin Elementary (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 36 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
41
36 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$303,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
41
36 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$303,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 8.4/10 despite 100% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.2 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Concord schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +18.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Concord schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Concord
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 36 rated schools; 41 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rocky River Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Northwest Cabarrus Middle | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | W M Irvin Elementary | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | A T Allen Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Weddington Hills Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Pitts School Road Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 7 | W R Odell Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Harris Road Middle | 7.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Cox Mill High School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Cabarrus Health Sciences Institute | 7.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $84,186
- Median home value
- $303,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Concord compares
North Carolina rank
#159 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$84k
124% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
40
Cabarrus County Schools runs Concord's public schools
36 public schools. Cabarrus County Schools is the dominant district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Concord is a Cabarrus County Schools school (34 of 36).
Among 36 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.9 to 8.4 — the spread is inside Concord, not a citywide average.
- Cabarrus County Schools34 public · 94%
- Carolina International School1 public · 3%
- Valor Preparatory Academy1 public · 3%
About Schools in Concord, North Carolina
Concord, North Carolina gives parents 35 ranked public schools to evaluate, spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels across the Cabarrus County system. The city's schools average 6.1 out of 10, a solid baseline that reflects a mix of high performers and schools still developing. Twelve schools — 34% of the total — score 7 or above, meaning parents who prioritize academic performance have meaningful options to target.
The strongest results cluster at the elementary level. Rocky River Elementary leads the city with an 8.7 out of 10, the highest score among all 35 ranked schools. Beverly Hills Elementary (8.1), W R Odell Elementary (8.0), and W M Irvin Elementary (7.9) round out a competitive top tier at the grade school level. Northwest Cabarrus Middle earns a 7.8, making it the standout middle school option and a strong continuation path for families coming out of the city's top elementary programs. Parents can track whether their feeder school pipeline aligns — matching a high-scoring elementary with a comparably rated middle school makes the transition planning more straightforward.
Practically speaking, Concord rewards research. With roughly two-thirds of schools scoring below 7, location alone doesn't guarantee a top-performing assignment. Families should check their specific attendance zone early, since school boundaries in Cabarrus County can shift and proximity to a high-scoring school doesn't always mean automatic enrollment. Open enrollment and magnet options, where available through the district, may expand access beyond the default assignment.
Parents comparing Concord to other North Carolina cities should note that a 6.1 average is competitive for a mid-sized metro area, and the concentration of 12 schools above the 7-point threshold gives the city real depth at the upper end. Whether you're zoned for one of the top five or looking to understand your options further down the list, Concord's public school landscape is large enough to offer choice and consistent enough at the top to make school selection a worthwhile part of any relocation decision.
Elementary Schools
15 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 730 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 |
| 2 | 620 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 |
| 3 | 650 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 |
| 4 | 971 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 |
| 5 | 870 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 |
| 6 | 927 students · 3rd–5th | 7.4 |
| 7 | 759 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 |
| 8 | 790 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 |
| 9 | 528 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 |
| 10 | 1,109 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.6 |
Show all 15 elementary schools in Concord
Middle Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 817 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 1,167 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 |
| 3 | 963 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
| 4 | 1,037 students · 6th–8th | 6.0 |
| 5 | 727 students · 6th–8th | 3.9 |
| 6 | 923 students · 6th–8th | 3.5 |
| 7 | 592 students · 6th–8th | 2.9 |
High Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,757 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 75 students · 6th–12th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 1,003 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 4 | 1,176 students · 9th–12th | 6.6 |
| 5 | 232 students · 9th–UG | 6.5 |
| 6 | 1,168 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 7 | 1,863 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 8 | 1,323 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
| 9 | 236 students · 9th–UG | 5.9 |
| 10 | 43 students · 6th–12th | 5.4 |
Other Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 112 students · 9th–10th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | 175 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.3 | ||
| 3 | 769 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 4 | 804 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.8 | ||
Private Schools5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | C3 Concord Christian SchoolPrivate 53 students · Kindergarten–11th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Cannon SchoolPrivate 1,017 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Hope AcademyPrivate 241 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Concord AcademyPrivate 769 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | 17 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Concord
Concord, North Carolina · 41 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$84,186
Median Home Value
$303,000
Median Rent
$1,328/mo
Population
136,939
College Educated
38%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Community Profile
Concord has a median household income of $84,186. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $303,000, with a median rent of $1,328/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 15
- Middle
- 7
- High
- 10
- Other
- 9
Resources
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Concord, North Carolina
How many schools are in Concord, North Carolina?
Concord has 41 schools, including 36 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Concord, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Concord is 6.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Concord, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Concord on MySchoolScout is Rocky River Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Concord, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Concord on MySchoolScout is Rocky River Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Concord, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Concord on MySchoolScout is Northwest Cabarrus Middle with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Concord, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Concord on MySchoolScout is Cox Mill High School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Concord, North Carolina?
Concord is served by 3 school districts: Carolina International School, Valor Preparatory Academy, Cabarrus County Schools.
What is the education level in Concord, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 38% of adults in Concord have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Concord, North Carolina?
The median household income in Concord is approximately $84,186 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Concord, North Carolina?
Yes, Concord has 5 private schools alongside 36 public schools. The top-rated private school is C3 Concord Christian School with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Concord, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Concord is 15.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Concord, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.