Ravenscroft

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Ravenscroft Photo #1 - Ravenscroft serves students in grades PreK-12 and has a 135-acre campus nestled in the heart of North Raleigh. Our extraordinary facilities include: center for student life; two dining halls; innovation and technology centers; Fine Arts Center with a gallery space, 460-seat theatre and a 200-seat flexible performance space; many STEM labs; dedicated Health Center and so much more.
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Ravenscroft Photo #1 - Ravenscroft serves students in grades PreK-12 and has a 135-acre campus nestled in the heart of North Raleigh. Our extraordinary facilities include: center for student life; two dining halls; innovation and technology centers; Fine Arts Center with a gallery space, 460-seat theatre and a 200-seat flexible performance space; many STEM labs; dedicated Health Center and so much more.
Ravenscroft Photo #2 - Ravenscroft serves students in pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 and is divided into three divisions: Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School, each with individual directors. The enrollment of the School is approximately 1,190 students. The average student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1 and 36% diversity. International students attend and currently represent more than 25 countries.
Ravenscroft Photo #3 - Ravenscroft offers a college preparatory curriculum with 35 honors courses and 24 AP courses in the Upper School; 3 levels of math and 2 levels of Language Arts in the Middle School; differentiated instruction in the Lower School. Typically 100 percent of graduates pursue their education beyond the secondary level.
Ravenscroft Photo #4 - Ravenscroft is a Google Apps for Education school; all students in grades 3-12 are provided with Google Apps accounts. Google Chromebooks are provided for all students in grades 7-12. A Digital Media Lab in the Middle School has Macs for audio, video, and photo production. PC computer labs are in all three divisions as well as both libraries.
Ravenscroft Photo #5 - Ravenscroft is the only school in the world with a Pre-K-grade 12 leadership program developed in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership. Student Council begins at first grade; Honor Council in Middle and Upper School. In this photo, Ravens Guides, which are Upper School students, visit a Middle School group to discuss age-appropriate topics.
Ravenscroft Photo #6 - Daily Physical Education (P.E.) for all students in grades 1-9, with an experienced faculty to guide them. All P.E. classes enjoy swimming during the year, and Middle School benefits from same-gender P.E. classes. With 53 competitive teams in 25 sports at the Middle School, JV, and varsity level, Ravenscroft has over 80 percent of students who participate in sports.
Ravenscroft Photo #7 - Violin instruction begins in Kindergarten; private lessons and studios available in the Lower School; General Music and Drama offered at all Lower School grades; Two Art teachers and studios dedicated to Lower School. Extensive Fine Arts electives, like AP Art History or Fundamentals of Stagecraft, offered in Middle and Upper School. And our faculty are professionally trained.
Ravenscroft Photo #8
From PreK through 12th grade, Ravenscroft fosters a love of learning and inquiry with a robust curriculum that offers differentiated instruction, project-based learning, and exploration of global programs, STEM, the humanities and fine arts. Our low teacher-to-student ratio allows us to nurture the individual potential and passion of every child. At the same time, all students are taught through the lens of Lead From Here, our citizen leadership framework, which develops the creative and critical thinking skills required of effective leaders today.
Ravenscroft serves students in PreKindergarten through 12th grade and is divided into three divisions: Lower School, Middle School and Upper School, each with individual directors.
The enrollment of the school is approximately 1,254 students.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked NC School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 1,254 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $22,195
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Ravenscroft ranks among the top 20% of private schools in North Carolina for:

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
https://www.ravenscroft.org/academics/leap
Year Founded
1862
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
Awards
 Blue Ribbon School - Selected in 2003

Student Body

Total Students
1,254 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
36%
State avg.: 23%
Students by Grade
Ravenscroft Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
195 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
86%
Number of AP Courses
24 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP Computer Science A, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Sciences, AP European History, AP Human Geography, AP Latin, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art/ Drawing and 2-D Design Portfolio, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP U.S. History, AP World History
Average SAT score
650
Average ACT score
27
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
$13,700-$30,690
Summer Program Cost Notes
Varies based on the summer program.
% on Financial Aid
18%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$13,401
Admissions Director
Margaret Mills
Admissions Associate
Jessie Tesh

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
33 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Anime Club, Band Club, Board Games Club, Cancel Cancer, Chinese Club, Claws Fur Paws, Computer Science Club, Duolingo Club, Eco Club, Entrepreneurship Club, Esports Club, Fantasy Sports and Statistics Club, Girls Who Code, History Club, HOSA, Italian Club, Law Interest Club, Mental Health Club, Note in the Pocket, Quizbowl, Racket Sports Club, Ragin' Ravens, Random Acts of Kindness Club, Ravens Chess, Roller Skating Club, Science Olympiad, SPEAK (Students Pursuing Equity and Kindness), Thespians, Ultimate Frisbee, Vogue/Just Dance Club, Volleyball Club, WiSTEM (Women in STEM), Youth and Government

School Notes

  • The higher you fly, the broader your perspective. Ravenscroft students grow and thrive together in a learning environment that values curiosity, collaboration and academic rigor. Our educational philosophy is built on the commitment to a simple idea: when students share their diverse experiences while expanding their own views, they rise together to become creative thinkers, capable doers and thoughtful leaders. Confident and cooperative, Ravens are ready for the real world and eager to make it better.
  • Ravenscroft provides hands-on learning to foster intellectual curiosity and creative thinking. Through the breadth and depth of our academic, athletic, fine arts, extracurricular, andcocurricular programs, students enjoy many opportunities to explore new areas of interest and learn to Lead From Here. Located at 7409 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27614 we invite you to stop by or to call 919.847.0900 for more information.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Ravenscroft cost?
Ravenscroft's tuition is approximately $22,195 for private students.
Does Ravenscroft offer a summer program?
Yes, Ravenscroft offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does Ravenscroft offer?
Ravenscroft offers 15 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling. Ravenscroft is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in North Carolina for most sports offered.
What is Ravenscroft's ranking?
When is the application deadline for Ravenscroft?
The application deadline for Ravenscroft is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
What neighborhood is Ravenscroft located?
Ravenscroft is located in the North Raleigh neighborhood of Raleigh, NC. There are 15 other private schools located in North Raleigh.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (15 reviews)
5  
My daughter has had an outstanding middle school experience at Ravenscroft. Her classes have a strong sense of community and support from other students and faculty. The teachers provide a top-notch education along with guiding students to lead themself so that someday soon others will look to them to lead others. The process allows her to be a self-disciplined learner where she pours her heart and mind into learning! Ravenscroft has exceeded all of our expectations.
- Posted by
5  
Terrific faculty and great learning environment. The school partners with parents and kids to prepare graduates for success in college and life. Very small class sizes, typically less than 10 students per class. The advisory program has a family feel and provides a network of ready-made friends.
- Posted by
5  
We just changed from a religious, independent school to Ravenscroft for our 6th grader. While we are blessed to be able to send our child to private school, this move has been a substantially better experience. Our daughter is being challenged even more and the resources to help the kids excel are phenomenal. There are far fewer tests here because they place a strong emphasis on collaborative discussion to see how the kids actually know and understand the material. My daughter is engaging deeply in every class and feels like she`s valued and included. I`ve never seen her so excited about her education. She was a straight A student and Duke TiPster and is being pushed academically even more here. This is what we wanted. Her other school administered standardized testing that made it seem like she was excelling in all areas. 2 standardized tests later, 6 mos apart revealed her old school had not challenged her nearly enough and left her at a strong disadvantage. Top notch experience.
- Posted by
5  
I have 3 boys that started Ravenscroft in Kindergarten. They are currently in 6th, 8th and 10th grade. My boys are all very different-whatever their passion, whether playing the in the string orchestra, being involved in athletics, or nurturing their interests in a school club, Ravenscroft has been a wonderful fit for all three. Their academics are excellent and the teachers are enthusiastic about their subject areas which shows-they make learning fun. It's a huge drive for my boys to happily attend each day. The Lead From Here framework has taught them to be resilient, empathetic, inclusive and growth-minded, which I can see firsthand as they encounter everyday problems. Their partnership with the Social Institute has taught them how to be responsible on social media. Whether it's through academics, fine arts, athletics, or character building, Ravenscroft is truly nurturing the "whole child" and we wholeheartedly recommend it.
- Posted by
5  
My daughter has been a student at Ravenscroft since 9th grade and is a senior this year. The school has lived up to it's reputation for having an excellent curriculum and facilities. We are visiting colleges now and every admissions counselor we have met is familiar with Ravenscoft and it's high placement percentage and history of producing students ready for college.Also, knowing where our daughter would be going to school each year brought a great deal of peace of mind considering that in Raleigh some of the public schools can have a waiting list or be capped.On March 14, 2020 when the governor of North Carolina ordered that all public schools be closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with no plan going forward, Ravenscroft had already prepared the week before to utilize online classes and on March 16 my daughter was able to be in class and learning from home. That is the difference with Ravenscroft, the leadership and faculty are forward thinking and that is what our kids need to learn as they are going out into the real world.
- Posted by
5  
My son has been attending Ravenscroft since kindergarten. He is currently enrolled in the fifth grade. Every year we have been increasingly impressed with Ravenscroft`s commitment to excellence. The class sizes are small, the teachers truly understand each student, and character development is incorporated into the curriculum. The teachers willingly partner with parents to ensure students realize their potential in the classroom. Ravenscroft diligently follows pedagogical research and is not afraid to implement changes based on findings. I highly recommend Ravenscroft.
- Posted by
5  
My youngest child graduates from college this weekend. I'm writing this review today as I realize that today he is a reflection of the experience he gained at Ravenscroft after attending k-12. His college major developed out of an independent study senior year of HS supported by his college advisor. He played a sport all four years of college that began with an introduction on campus in 9th grade. Leadership skills cultivated at Ravenscroft are evident along with a comfort for public speaking, collaboration and resilience in the face of challenges. This weekend's college graduation is further validation of the positive experience gained at Ravenscroft.
- Posted by
5  
2 high school kids - fantastic experience and opportunities for our kids. Ravenscroft has been a blessing. Great academics and teachers who are truly vested in their students. Great fine arts and athletics. Head of school is a visionary leader. Lead From Here is incredibly unique and has had a huge impact on the lives of my kids.
- Posted by
5  
The review says it all: 5 stars!! Best school for addressing and engaging the intellectual, emotional, spiritual and physical potential of ALL students AND families.
- Posted by
5  
Three words describe the excellence at Ravenscroft for our family more than anything else: nurturing individual potential. As the school mission states: The Ravenscroft community, guided by our legacy of excellence, nurtures individual potential... This is done through the very strong academics, arts, sports and extra activities offered throughout the year which have a wide range from coding to macramé (for lower school). Our children have had the most loving, caring, excellent teachers. When our daughter was in second grade, her teacher said maybe she'd like to stay after school with me on Wednesdays. This wonderful teacher brought her up to speed this way for almost the whole year, to strengthen one weak area, and we never even asked! My daughter has had similar mentoring in her strong area from the wonderful lower school Art teacher. All the regular classes during the day are also excellent, but these two examples showed us how they support a child's weak areas when needed, as well as build their strengths. Although the school is 150 years old, the administration and board are looking at preparing students for the future. They show a real commitment to the second part of the school's mission: and prepares students to thrive in a complex and interdependent world. One new way is through a school-wide leadership program called Lead from Here. This was developed with consultation of the Center for Creative Leadership which works with many businesses on the subject. This was the first program they developed for a school. We would give the School Heads and the Board our highest praise for their vision, management and leadership. Communication and input from parents are welcome, carefully considered, and in my experience, often accepted. For a recent schedule change, they held six open forums to discuss reasons, explain recent research on best practices, and show data on how the school students and faculty felt about it. They invited Independent School Management (ISM) to bring its expertise on this. ISM reviewed facilities, curriculum, extracurricular activities, Fine Arts, and Athletics. They also created school culture surveys for the students and faculty. The results of the schedule analysis made it clear that the changes were a great direction and clear choice that would better meet the needs of our community. This not only showed excellent decision making process but great respect for including everyone when important decisions are made. Parents are children are very friendly and welcoming, with a vigorous parents association. We were new to Raleigh and each of our family has found so many great friends there. There are many international students and this diversity is celebrated through an International Day. All students are taught to respect differences and appreciate self through an Identity Day. One other thing -- that we take for granted now -- is that there is ZERO tolerance for any bullying, defined by the school as any repeated acts of meanness. The children are taught tools to identify it and address it, and if these fail then told to take it to an adult. At that point, the teachers, administration and related parents make sure it stops quickly and permanently. The counseling staff is exceptional and frequently provide sessions for parents relevant to children's growth and challenges.
- Posted by
5  
As a new family to the area, we were welcomed into the Ravenscroft Community with open arms. Our children are in Lower School and we've been part of this community for over 5 years. The teachers at the school are excellent and with small class sizes, they are able to know the individual needs of each child. The Character Tree program in Lower School is such a fantastic compliment to the curriculum. Children are taught and able to show their understanding of words like spirit, responsibility, courage, dedication and compassion. Seeing a need to even take it a step further, Ravenscroft has partnered with the Center for Creative Leadership to develop and infuse a program called Lead from Here into the curriculum in Lower School, Middle School and Upper School. While there's no way to know what the world will look like in 10 years or types of jobs will be available then, we feel confident that by having our children attend and receive a Ravenscroft education, they'll be equipped with the tools to lead themselves, lead with others and change their world.
- Posted by
5  
We are finishing up our third year at Ravenscroft (K-2) and could not be happier with our choice in sending our son there. As a former private and public school teacher in NY & NC I can say with certainty that Ravenscroft is among the best of any school in either category. Ravenscroft has a very strong Fine Arts program, even in Lower School. What is most exciting is the new Lead From Here initiative that Ravenscroft is developing with the Center for Creative Leadership. I have seen many positive changes in my son as it relates to working with others through collaboration, communication and cooperation. The goal of the program is to intertwine leadership skills into their already rigorous academic program to produce a generation of citizen leaders who will be responsible for running an increasingly complex and diverse World. Other schools in the area have strong academics, some of them strong fine art, but none of them have a robust leadership program like Ravenscroft.
- Posted by
5  
Have two students in lower school and a third starting PreK in the fall. The new Lead From Here initiative is setting new standards in education, and the way it is being implemented at the elementary level at Ravenscroft is simply outstanding. This character and leadership curriculum combined with their already high-performing academic program and auxiliary services cannot be beaten in the Raleigh area. If you truly want to be a partner in your child's education and enjoy having a mutual language for discussing and cultivating excellence with faculty, staff, other parents, your children, and their friends, the Ravenscroft community will exceed all expectations.
- Posted by
5  
Very happy with my experience in lower, middle and now upper school. Great academics and develops the full child. New Leadership initiative is a transformative program that reaches throughout school and faculty. My kids are thriving and feel like they will be so well prepared for life and fro college.
- Posted by
5  
Academics are very poor, not a priority at all Good drama, some art, Emphasis is on athletics - giving scholarships (with tuition money) to students who rarely go to class
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked NC School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 1,254 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $22,195
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Raleigh, NC is $11,118 for elementary schools and $14,256 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Raleigh, NC is 84% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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