Top 5 Elementary Schools in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, NC

Discover the Best Public Elementary Schools in North Carolina

If you’re looking for the best public elementary schools in North Carolina, you’ll find that half of the top 20 schools are located in the bustling Triangle region. These rankings, provided by data-driven organization Niche, assess a variety of factors including academic performance, teacher quality, district rating, and student life.

Charter and Magnet Schools Shine

The list of top public elementary schools in North Carolina features both charter and magnet schools. Charter schools, as explained by the NC Department of Public Instruction, are public schools of choice, operated by independent nonprofit boards and authorized by the State Board of Education. Magnet schools, on the other hand, are tuition-free institutions that offer specialized learning tracks like STEM or performing arts, as noted by the National School Choice Week.

Top Ranked Schools in the Triangle

Among the top-rated schools in the Triangle, Quest Academy in Raleigh stands out. Ranked as the fourth-best public elementary school in North Carolina by Niche, Quest Academy is a public charter school that has achieved an impressive A+ overall grade. With a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, this school boasts high proficiency rates for both math (92%) and reading (95%). For a more comprehensive list and detailed information about each school, visit the Niche website.

Other Top 25 Public Elementary Schools in the Triangle

Other notable schools in the Triangle include The Expedition School in Hillsborough, Woods Charter School in Chapel Hill, and Sterling Montessori Academy in Morrisville, all of which have received high overall grades and are known for their exceptional educational programs. Woods Charter, in particular, was named the top public elementary school in the state last year by Niche.

Traditional public schools also made the list, with Glenwood Elementary School in Chapel Hill and Hortons Creek Elementary in Cary achieving high rankings and an overall grade of A.

The respective school websites provide more detailed information about each institution:

• Quest Academy
• Woods Charter School
• Glenwood Elementary School
• Pine Springs Preparatory Academy

About the Methodology

Niche’s rankings for the best public elementary schools in North Carolina are based on an analysis of academic and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education, along with millions of reviews from students and parents. Factors such as academics, teachers, overall district grade, culture & diversity, and parent/student surveys on overall experience are considered in determining the rankings. For more information about the methodology, visit Niche’s Methodology page.