Best Schools in Cornelius, North Carolina
6 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Cornelius?
Use this page to compare every school in Cornelius 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.
William Amos Hough High
High · Charlotte-mecklenburg Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
J.v. Washam Elementary
Elementary · Charlotte-mecklenburg Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Bailey Middle
Middle · Charlotte-mecklenburg Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Cornelius for 2026 are William Amos Hough High (8.0/10), J.v. Washam Elementary (7.9/10), and Bailey Middle (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$497,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$497,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Cornelius
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Amos Hough High | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | J.v. Washam Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Bailey Middle | 7.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Cornelius Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Lakeside Charter Academy | 5.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Grace Covenant Academy | 5.0 / 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
- 6.9/10
- Median household income
- $115,746
- Median home value
- $497,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 61%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Cornelius compares
North Carolina rank
#51 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$116k
171% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Cornelius, North Carolina
Cornelius, North Carolina is home to 6 schools, including 5 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.9 out of 10, schools in Cornelius show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Cornelius is William Amos Hough High with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Cornelius is served by 2 school districts: Lakeside Charter Academy, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. These districts collectively serve 144,394 students.
Cornelius's community shows 61% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $115,746. The poverty rate in the area is 4.5%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 810 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | 556 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.3 | ||
| 3 | 278 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.6 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Grace Covenant Academy
Private
215 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.0 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,325 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,503 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 |
Schools in Cornelius
Cornelius, North Carolina · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$115,746
Median Home Value
$497,400
Median Rent
$1,587/mo
Population
31,021
College Educated
61%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Community Profile
Cornelius has a median household income of $115,746. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $497,400, with a median rent of $1,587/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
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 Cornelius, North Carolina
How many schools are in Cornelius, North Carolina?
Cornelius has 6 schools, including 5 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Cornelius, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Cornelius is 6.9 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 Cornelius, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Cornelius on MySchoolScout is William Amos Hough High with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Cornelius, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Cornelius on MySchoolScout is J.v. Washam Elementary with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Cornelius, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Cornelius on MySchoolScout is Bailey Middle with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in Cornelius, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Cornelius on MySchoolScout is William Amos Hough High with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve Cornelius, North Carolina?
Cornelius is served by 2 school districts: Lakeside Charter Academy, Charlotte-mecklenburg Schools.
What is the education level in Cornelius, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 61% of adults in Cornelius have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Cornelius, North Carolina?
The median household income in Cornelius is approximately $115,746 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Cornelius, North Carolina?
Yes, Cornelius has 1 private school alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Grace Covenant Academy with a score of 5.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Cornelius, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Cornelius is 17.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Cornelius, 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.
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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.