Emerson Waldorf School Photo - Rose Ceremony at the beginning of the year

Best Chapel Hill Private Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 6 private preschools serving 792 students in Chapel Hill, NC.
The top-ranked private preschools in Chapel Hill, NC include St. Thomas More Catholic School, Emerson Waldorf School, and Montessori Day School.
The average acceptance rate is 96%, which is higher than the North Carolina private preschool average acceptance rate of 80%.
17% of private preschools in Chapel Hill, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).

Top-Ranked Chapel Hill Private Preschools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Emerson Waldorf School
Emerson Waldorf School Photo - Rose Ceremony at the beginning of the year
Special Program Emphasis
(9)
6211 New Jericho Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-1858
Gr: PK-12 | 287 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 5 Tuition listed
Montessori Day School
Montessori Day School Photo
Montessori School
1702 Legion Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 929-3339
Gr: PK-3 | 60 students Avg. class size: 15 students Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Thomas More Catholic School
St. Thomas More Catholic School Photo - Altar Servers at school Mass
(Catholic)
920 Carmichael St
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-6242
Gr: PK-8 | 397 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Chapel Hill KinderCare
Chapel Hill KinderCare Photo - Lobby
Daycare / Preschool
210 South Elliot Rd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-7223
Gr: NS-PK
The Goddard School
The Goddard School Photo
Daycare / Preschool
1162 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 933-9022
Gr: NS-PK | 48 students Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition listed
Knox Way KinderCare
Daycare / Preschool
27 Knox Way
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-1346
Gr: NS-PK
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Chapel Hill, North Carolina Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
3501 Nc Highway 54 W Ste E
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 967-2700
Gr: PK-1 | 35 students

Overview

This Town (Chapel Hill)
This State (NC)
# Schools
6 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
792 Students
97,052 Students
% Average Students of Color
23%
23%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
87 Teachers
9,105 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
53%
45%
Average Class Size
19 students
16 students
Average SAT score
1130
(Out of 1600)
1207

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$14,000
$11,925
Average Summer Program Cost
$195
$429
Average % on Financial Aid
21%
28%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$1,400
$4,898
Average Acceptance Rate
96%
80%
Average Endowment Size
$25 million
$45.39 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.62
0.59
# American Indian Students
n/a
412 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
20 Students
2,681 Students
% Asian Students
3%
3%
# Hispanic Students
76 Students
3,227 Students
% Hispanic Students
10%
3%
# Black Students
15 Students
5,754 Students
% Black Students
2%
6%
# White Students
387 Students
53,176 Students
% White Students
52%
56%
# Hawaiian Students
3 Students
421 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
243 Students
29,899 Students
% of Others Students
33%
31%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
4 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private preschools in Chapel Hill, NC?
The top-ranked private preschools in Chapel Hill, NC include St. Thomas More Catholic School, Emerson Waldorf School, and Montessori Day School.
How many private preschools are located in Chapel Hill?
6 private preschools are located in Chapel Hill.
How diverse are private preschools in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill private preschools are approximately 23% minority students, which is same as the North Carolina private school average of 23%.
What percentage of private preschools are religiously affiliated in Chapel Hill?
17% of private preschools in Chapel Hill are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic).
Which private preschools in Chapel Hill are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Private School Fees Increase Mid-Year: A Parent Action Plan
Private School Fees Increase Mid-Year: A Parent Action Plan
A 2026 parent action plan for managing mid-year private school tuition increases, including contracts, negotiation tips, and financial options.
Private School Scholarship Scams & Red Flags to Watch Out For (2026 Guide)
Private School Scholarship Scams & Red Flags to Watch Out For (2026 Guide)
Learn how to spot private school scholarship scams in 2026, including red flags, real examples, and expert tips to protect families.
Diversity in Private Schools: Progress and Obstacles in 2026
Diversity in Private Schools: Progress and Obstacles in 2026
Explore how private schools are advancing diversity in 2026, key gains made, ongoing challenges, and what families should know.