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Best North Carolina Private Schools (2025-26)

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 863 private schools serving 135,362 students in North Carolina (there are 2,761 public schools, serving 1,546,447 students). 8% of all K-12 students in North Carolina attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $12,725 for elementary schools and $14,126 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in North Carolina include Asheville Christian Academy, Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill, and Cary Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 80% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 23% and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1.
60% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Christian or Baptist.

Top Ranked North Carolina Private Schools by County (2025-26)

County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
12
2,871
10%
35
4,592
14%
5
1,340
10%
37
7,673
15%
30
7,007
11%
15
3,306
9%
44
8,622
10%
5
1,288
9%
5
1,160
12%
112
20,479
11%
9
1,708
13%
8
1,675
12%
18
2,211
7%
19
2,938
11%
10
1,551
7%
14
2,720
5%
118
21,859
10%
11
1,832
8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in North Carolina?
The top-ranked private schools in North Carolina include Asheville Christian Academy, Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill, and Cary Academy.
How many private schools are located in North Carolina?
There are 863 private schools are located in North Carolina.
How much do private schools cost in North Carolina?
The average private school tuition in North Carolina is $12,725 for elementary schools and $14,126 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in North Carolina?
Approximately 23% of students in North Carolina private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in North Carolina go to private school?
8% of all K-12 students in North Carolina attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in North Carolina?
60% of private schools in North Carolina are religiously affiliated, with most being Christian or Baptist.
Which private schools in North Carolina are often viewed compared to one another?

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