Kildare Farm KinderCare Photo - Kildare Farm KinderCare

Best Cary Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 21 private schools serving 2,911 students in Cary, NC (there are 32 public schools, serving 29,503 public students). 9% of all K-12 students in Cary, NC are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
The top-ranked private schools in Cary, NC include Cary Christian School, Lucy Daniels School, and Cary Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 75%, which is lower than the North Carolina private school average acceptance rate of 81%.
14% of private schools in Cary, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top-Ranked Cary Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
130 Towne Village Dr
Cary, NC 27513
(984) 368-4463
Gr: PK-8 | 204 students Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
Cary Academy
(1)
1500 N Harrison Avenue
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 677-3873
Gr: 6-12 | 789 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 15 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Cary Christian School
Cary Christian School Photo
(Christian)
(1)
1330 Old Apex Rd
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 303-2560
Gr: K-12 | 852 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 13 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Cary Heights KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
8050 Chapel Hill Rd
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 469-0252
Gr: NS-PK
Lucy Daniels School
Lucy Daniels School Photo - Two kindergarteners discuss next steps on their projects
Alternative School
9003 Weston Pkwy
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 677-1400
Gr: PK-5 | 20 students Avg. class size: 10 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Oceana Place KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
101 Oceana Pl
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 481-0272
Gr: NS-PK
St. Michael The Archangel School
St. Michael The Archangel School Photo
(Catholic)
(5)
810 High House Rd
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 468-6150
Gr: PK-8 | 534 students Sports: 9 Tuition listed
West Cary KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
2880 NC-55
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 362-1115
Gr: NS-PK Tuition listed
Cary Knowledge Beginnings
Cary Knowledge Beginnings Photo - Lobby
Daycare / Preschool
250 Cornerstone Dr
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 466-8684
Gr: NS | 20 students
Cary Towne KinderCare
Cary Towne KinderCare Photo - Cary Towne KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
1118 SE Maynard Rd.
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 469-0866
Gr: NS-PK
Chesterbrook Academy - Cary Preston
Chesterbrook Academy - Cary Preston Photo
Daycare / Preschool
3821 NW Cary Pkwy
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 283-4344
Gr: NS-PK
Cranfield Academy - Cary
Cranfield Academy - Cary Photo
Montessori School
150 Towne Village Dr
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 467-1112
Gr: PK-K Avg. class size: 21 students Tuition listed
The Goddard School
The Goddard School Photo
Daycare / Preschool
1177 Nw Maynard Road
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 466-0008
Gr: NS-K
Grove School Of Cary
Daycare / Preschool
2590 Laura Duncan Rd
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 467-6494
Gr: PK-K | 80 students
Hopewell Academy
(3)
101 Preston Executive Dr.
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 481-2123
Gr: 6-12 Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Kildare Farm KinderCare
Kildare Farm KinderCare Photo - Prekindergarten Classroom
Daycare / Preschool
203 Kilmayne Dr.
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 469-8790
Gr: NS-PK
Mariposa School
Alternative School
203 Gregson Dr
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 461-0600
Gr: 2-12 | 14 students Tuition listed
Renaissance Montessori School Of Cary
Montessori School
610 Nottingham Dr
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 439-0130
Gr: PK-K | 80 students
Resurrection Lutheran School
Resurrection Lutheran School Photo
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
100 W Lochmere Dr
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 851-7271
Gr: PK-8 | 196 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Triangle Montessori Academy
Triangle Montessori Academy Photo - The beautiful gardens at Triangle Montessori Academy.
Montessori School
540 E Chatham St
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 463-7770
Gr: PK-3 | 119 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 2 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
True Abalities Lrng. Academy Llc
Special Education School
1152 Executive Cir Ste 100
Cary, NC 27511
(804) 882-3502
Gr: Inquire with school | 3 students
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Cary, North Carolina

Cary, North Carolina Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
6560 Tryon Rd
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 854-1515
Gr: NS-PK
316 Colonades Way Ste 107c
Cary, NC 27518
(984) 232-0259
Gr: PK-K | 35 students
112 Byrum St.
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 465-2113
Gr: PK-12 | 188 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition listed
105 Franklin Chase Ct
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 522-1115
Gr: PK | 8 students
2117 Piney Plains Road
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 859-0041
Gr: PK | 29 students Avg. class size: 7 students

Overview

This Town (Cary)
This State (NC)
# Schools
21 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
2,911 Students
136,532 Students
% Average Students of Color
32%
24%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
324 Teachers
13,573 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
58%
47%
Average Class Size
16 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
11 courses
11 courses
Average SAT score
1300
(Out of 1600)
1210
Average ACT score
30
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$17,407
$13,172
Average % on Financial Aid
14%
30%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$7,250
$5,553
Average Acceptance Rate
75%
81%
Average Endowment Size
$186.67 million
$46.06 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.59
0.58
# American Indian Students
1 Student
641 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
359 Students
4,215 Students
% Asian Students
12%
3%
# Hispanic Students
93 Students
5,804 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
4%
# Black Students
142 Students
9,651 Students
% Black Students
5%
7%
# White Students
1,723 Students
79,836 Students
% White Students
60%
60%
# Hawaiian Students
2 Students
496 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
577 Students
33,802 Students
% of Others Students
20%
25%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
7 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
8 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Cary, NC?
The top-ranked private schools in Cary, NC include Cary Christian School, Lucy Daniels School, and Cary Academy.
How many private schools are located in Cary?
21 private schools are located in Cary.
How diverse are private schools in Cary?
Cary private schools are approximately 32% minority students, which is higher than the North Carolina private school average of 24%.
What percentage of students in Cary go to private school?
9% of all K-12 students in Cary are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Cary?
14% of private schools in Cary are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private schools in Cary are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Cary include: The Goddard School vs. Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School

Recent Articles

Navigating Private School Finances 2026
Navigating Private School Finances 2026
Essential 2026 guide for parents on private school costs, financial aid, and planning strategies.
Preparation for Standardized Tests & College Admissions 2026
Preparation for Standardized Tests & College Admissions 2026
A 2026 guide for private school test prep and college admissions strategies, with insights, trends, and best practices for families and educators.
Mental Health & Wellness Support in Private Schools: Key Questions for Parents
Mental Health & Wellness Support in Private Schools: Key Questions for Parents
Discover essential questions about mental health & wellness support in private schools before enrolling, with 2026 updates for informed decisions.