The O'Neal School Photo - Art is considered an integral part of the student's curriculum starting in prekindergarten. O'Neal holds two spacious art studios that share a clay room to turn pottery as well as a kiln. O'Neal student artists consistently have a strong showing in local art competitions.

Best Moore County Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 8 private schools serving 1,801 students in Moore County, NC (there are 21 public schools, serving 11,804 public students). 13% of all K-12 students in Moore County, NC are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
The top-ranked private schools in Moore County, NC include The O'Neal School, Sandhills Classical Christian School, and Episcopal Day School.
The average acceptance rate is 86%, which is higher than the North Carolina private school average acceptance rate of 81%.
78% of private schools in Moore County, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Catholic).

Top-Ranked Moore County Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Episcopal Day School
(Episcopal)
(7)
340 E Massachusetts Ave
Southern Pines, NC 28387
(910) 692-3492
Gr: PK-5 | 214 students Avg. class size: 14 students Tuition listed
The O'Neal School
The O'Neal School Photo - A comment from a parent survey states, "It's the sense of community that allows for education to be more... natural and organic somehow. - students learn when they're comfortable. It all goes hand in hand."
(8)
3300 Airport Road
Southern Pines, NC 28387
(910) 692-6920
Gr: PK-12 | 427 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 28 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Sandhills Classical Christian School
Sandhills Classical Christian School Photo
(Christian)
(1)
1487 Rays Bridge Road
Carthage, NC 28327
(910) 695-1874
Gr: PK-12 | 639 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Calvary Christian School
(Christian)
400 S Bennett St
Southern Pines, NC 28387
(910) 692-8311
Gr: PK-12 | 174 students
Fellowship Christian Academy
(Christian)
1305 Hulsey Rd
Carthage, NC 28327
(406) 396-2280
Gr: K-5 | 71 students
Highland Christian Academy
(Baptist)
5587 Us Highway 1 N
Vass, NC 28394
(910) 695-0494
Gr: 8-11 | 5 students
Longleaf Academy
Special Education School
600 Valley View Rd
Southern Pines, NC 28387
(910) 692-2665
Gr: 2-8 | 21 students Tuition listed
St. John Paul Ii Catholic School
St. John Paul Ii Catholic School Photo - Pre-K 100th Day of School
(Catholic)
2922 Camp Easter Road
Southern Pines, NC 28387
(910) 692-6241
Gr: PK-8 | 218 students Avg. class size: 21 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed

Overview

This County (Moore County)
This State (NC)
# Schools
9 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
1,801 Students
136,490 Students
% Average Students of Color
13%
24%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
189 Teachers
13,557 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
42%
47%
Average Class Size
17 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
13 courses
11 courses
Average SAT score
1230
(Out of 1600)
1210
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$12,937
$13,414
Average % on Financial Aid
24%
30%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$3,350
$5,515
Average Acceptance Rate
86%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.51
0.58
# American Indian Students
4 Students
641 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
26 Students
4,215 Students
% Asian Students
2%
3%
# Hispanic Students
56 Students
5,804 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
4%
# Black Students
49 Students
9,651 Students
% Black Students
3%
7%
# White Students
1,155 Students
79,836 Students
% White Students
64%
60%
# Hawaiian Students
7 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
504 Students
33,802 Students
% of Others Students
28%
25%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Moore County, NC?
The top-ranked private schools in Moore County, NC include The O'Neal School, Sandhills Classical Christian School, and Episcopal Day School.
How many private schools are located in Moore County?
8 private schools are located in Moore County.
How diverse are private schools in Moore County?
Moore County private schools are approximately 13% minority students, which is lower than the North Carolina private school average of 24%.
What percentage of students in Moore County go to private school?
13% of all K-12 students in Moore County are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Moore County?
78% of private schools in Moore County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Catholic).
Which private schools in Moore County are often viewed compared to one another?

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