Best Schools in Kannapolis, North Carolina
13 schools · 10 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Kannapolis?
Use this page to compare every school in Kannapolis 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.
Royal Oaks Elementary
Elementary · Cabarrus County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Gw Carver Elementary
Elementary · Kannapolis City Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Concord Lake Steam Academy
Elementary · Concord Lake Steam Academy. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Kannapolis for 2026 are Royal Oaks Elementary (8.1/10), Gw Carver Elementary (7.3/10), and Concord Lake Steam Academy (7.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 11 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
13
11 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$225,800
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
13
11 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$225,800
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 8.1/10 despite 99% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.0 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 Kannapolis schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +12.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Kannapolis schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Kannapolis
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 11 rated schools; 13 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Oaks Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Gw Carver Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Concord Lake Steam Academy | 7.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Charles E Boger Elementary | 7.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Shady Brook Elementary | 7.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Forest Park Elementary | 6.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Fred L Wilson Elementary | 5.5 / 10 |
| 8 | Jackson Park Elementary | 5.5 / 10 |
| 9 | North Kannapolis Elementary | 5.5 / 10 |
| 10 | A L Brown High | 4.7 / 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
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $64,865
- Median home value
- $225,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
42% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Kannapolis compares
North Carolina rank
#126 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$65k
96% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
12
Kannapolis City Schools runs 73% of Kannapolis's public schools
Kannapolis touches 3 districts, but Kannapolis City Schools is the one most addresses actually attend.
Kannapolis City Schools accounts for 8 of 11 public schools (73%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 3.
Among 11 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.0 to 8.1 — the spread is inside Kannapolis, not a citywide average.
- Kannapolis City Schools8 public · 73%
- Cabarrus County Schools2 public · 18%
- Concord Lake Steam Academy1 public · 9%
About Schools in Kannapolis, North Carolina
Kannapolis, North Carolina is home to 13 schools, including 11 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 10 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in Kannapolis show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Kannapolis is Royal Oaks Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Kannapolis is served by 3 school districts: Concord Lake STEAM Academy, Cabarrus County Schools, Kannapolis City Schools. These districts collectively serve 41,114 students.
Kannapolis's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $64,865. The poverty rate in the area is 13.9%.
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
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 598 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 494 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.3 | ||
| 3 | 708 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.2 | ||
| 4 | 887 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 | ||
| 5 | 311 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 | ||
| 6 | 476 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 | ||
| 7 | 432 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 8 | 435 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 9 | 290 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 29 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,171 students · 6th–8th | 4.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,776 students · 9th–12th | 4.7 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faith Christian AcademyPrivate 62 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Kannapolis
Kannapolis, North Carolina · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$64,865
Median Home Value
$225,800
Median Rent
$1,100/mo
Population
57,545
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Community Profile
Kannapolis has a median household income of $64,865. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $225,800, with a median rent of $1,100/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 10
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
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 Kannapolis, North Carolina
How many schools are in Kannapolis, North Carolina?
Kannapolis has 13 schools, including 11 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Kannapolis, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Kannapolis is 6.2 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 Kannapolis, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Kannapolis on MySchoolScout is Royal Oaks Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Kannapolis, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Kannapolis on MySchoolScout is Royal Oaks Elementary with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Kannapolis, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Kannapolis on MySchoolScout is Kannapolis Middle with a composite score of 4.0/10.
What is the best high school in Kannapolis, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Kannapolis on MySchoolScout is A L Brown High with a composite score of 4.7/10.
How many school districts serve Kannapolis, North Carolina?
Kannapolis is served by 3 school districts: Concord Lake Steam Academy, Cabarrus County Schools, Kannapolis City Schools.
What is the education level in Kannapolis, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Kannapolis have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Kannapolis, North Carolina?
The median household income in Kannapolis is approximately $64,865 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Kannapolis, North Carolina?
Yes, Kannapolis has 2 private schools alongside 11 public schools. The top-rated private school is Faith Christian Academy with a score of 5.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Kannapolis, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Kannapolis is 14.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Kannapolis, 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
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- 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
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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.