Best North Carolina Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 882 private schools serving 137,066 students in North Carolina, versus 2,730 public schools serving 1,548,514 students (8% of K-12 students attend private schools, vs. national average 10%).
The average private school tuition is $12,584 for elementary schools and $13,968 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
59% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Christian or Baptist.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • # Private Schools: 882
  • # Students Served: 137,066
  • Average Tuition: $13,302
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 31%
  • Acceptance Rate: 82%
  • Average Class Size: 15 students
  • % Students of Color: 24%
  • View North Carolina School Trends

Quick Facts (2026)

  • # Private Schools: 882
  • # Students Served: 137,066
  • Average Tuition: $13,302
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 31%
  • Acceptance Rate: 82%
  • Average Class Size: 15 students
  • % Students of Color: 24%
  • View North Carolina School Trends

Top Ranked North Carolina Private Schools (2026)

Cannon School Photo
Gr: PK-12 | 1,039 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Sports: 15
5801 Poplar Tent Rd
Concord, NC 28027
(704) 786-8171
(1)
The Epiphany School Of Global Studies Photo
Gr: K-12 | 487 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 11 | Extracurriculars: 11
Christian
2301 Trent Road
New Bern, NC 28562
(252) 638-0122
Greensboro Montessori School Photo
Gr: NS-8 | 277 students
Avg. class size: 21 students
Sports: 5
Montessori School
2856 Horse Pen Creek Rd
Greensboro, NC 27410
(336) 668-0119
(3)
Hill Learning Center Photo
Gr: 1-12 | 166 students
Avg. class size: 4 students
Extracurriculars: 9
Special Education School
3200 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 489-7464
(4)
JLSA Photo
Gr: K-12
Avg. class size: 8 students
Extracurriculars: 7
Alternative School
1434 Farrington Road
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 387-9440
(7)
The Raleigh School Photo
Gr: NS-5 | 404 students
Avg. class size: 22 students
Extracurriculars: 3
1141 Raleigh School Drive
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 546-0788
(13)
Saint Mary's School Photo
Gr: 9-12 | 315 students
Avg. class size: 14 students
Sports: 13 | Extracurriculars: 56
All-girls (Episcopal)
900 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 424-4100
(2)
Trinity Academy Photo
Gr: PK-12 | 536 students
Avg. class size: 600 students
Sports: 11
Christian
10224 Baileywick Rd
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 786-0114
(3)
Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill Photo
Gr: PK-12 | 637 students
Avg. class size: 18 students
Sports: 9 | Extracurriculars: 19
Christian
4011 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 402-8262
(5)
Wake Christian Academy Photo
Gr: K-12 | 974 students
Avg. class size: 22 students
Sports: 14 | Extracurriculars: 10
Christian
5500 Wake Academy Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 772-6264
(17)

North Carolina Private School Trends (10-Year)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in North Carolina?
The top-ranked private schools in North Carolina include Cape Fear Academy, Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill, and Saint Mary's School.
How many private schools are located in North Carolina?
There are 882 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 $12,584 for elementary schools and $13,968 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in North Carolina?
Approximately 24% 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?
59% 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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