Best Wake County Private Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 115 private schools serving 21,956 students in Wake County, NC (there are 244 public schools, serving 191,497 public students). 10% of all K-12 students are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
The average tuition cost is $14,482, which is higher than the North Carolina private school average tuition cost of $13,292.
34% of private schools in Wake County, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Catholic).

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 115
  • # Students Served: 21,956
  • Average Tuition: $14,482
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 19%
  • Acceptance Rate: 82%
  • Average Class Size: 17 students
  • % Students of Color: 24%
  • View Wake County, NC School Trends

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • # Private Schools: 115
  • # Students Served: 21,956
  • Average Tuition: $14,482
  • % Students on Financial Aid: 19%
  • Acceptance Rate: 82%
  • Average Class Size: 17 students
  • % Students of Color: 24%
  • View Wake County, NC School Trends

Top Ranked Wake County Private Schools (2026-27)

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)
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)
Chesterbrook Academy - Raleigh Preschool Photo
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
2215 W Millbrook Rd
Raleigh, NC 27612
(984) 464-7284
Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School Photo
Gr: PK-5 | 154 students
Extracurriculars: 11
10200 Strickland Rd
Raleigh, NC 27615
(984) 265-2187
(1)
Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School Photo
Gr: PK-8 | 220 students
Extracurriculars: 3
130 Towne Village Dr
Cary, NC 27513
(984) 368-4463
(4)
Chesterbrook Academy Preschool Cary Photo
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
3821 NW Cary Pkwy
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 319-9400
Fusion Academy Raleigh Photo
Gr: 6-12
Alternative School
2148 Blue Bridge Road, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27607
(877) 673-8893
Raleigh Day School Photo
Gr: PK-5 | 32 students
Avg. class size: 9 students
Extracurriculars: 5
Waldorf School
12804 Norwood Road
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 238-9201
(17)
Adventist Christian Academy Of Raleigh Photo
Gr: PK-12 | 196 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Sports: 6 | Extracurriculars: 12
Seventh Day Adventist
4805 Dillard Dr
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-1300
(11)
Al-iman School Photo
Gr: PK-8 | 290 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 1
Islamic
3020 Ligon St
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 821-1699
Atlas International School Photo
Gr: NS-11 | 68 students
Avg. class size: 6 students
Extracurriculars: 6
4112 Garland Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 522-1785
(9)
Map of Cardinal Gibbons High School
Gr: 9-12 | 1,577 students
Avg. class size: 15 students
Catholic
1401 Edwards Mill Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 834-1625
Map of Cary Academy
Gr: 6-12 | 789 students
Avg. class size: 16 students
Sports: 15
1500 N Harrison Avenue
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 677-3873
(1)
Cary Christian School Photo
Gr: K-12 | 852 students
Avg. class size: 22 students
Sports: 13 | Extracurriculars: 13
Christian
1330 Old Apex Rd
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 303-2560
(1)
Map of Cary Heights KinderCare
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
8050 Chapel Hill Rd
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 469-0252
Map of Durant Road KinderCare
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
10350 Durant Rd
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 846-2424
Map of Falls Lake KinderCare
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
1590 Dunn Rd
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 821-2261
The Fletcher Academy Photo
Gr: 2-12 | 160 students
Avg. class size: 5 students
Sports: 6
Special Education School
400 Cedarview Court
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 782-5082
Show 80 more private schools in Wake County, NC (out of 115 total schools)
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[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Wake County, North Carolina

Wake County Private Schools (Closed)

Map of East Cary KinderCare
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
6560 Tryon Rd
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 854-1515
Map of Esteem Me Montessori & Creative Play
Gr: PK-K | 35 students
All-girls | Montessori School
316 Colonades Way Ste 107c
Cary, NC 27518
(984) 232-0259
Map of Heartwood Montessori School
Gr: PK-12 | 188 students
Avg. class size: 20 students
Montessori School
112 Byrum St.
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 465-2113
Map of Jordan Lake Sudbury School
Gr: PK | 8 students
Alternative School
105 Franklin Chase Ct
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 522-1115
Map of Little Treasures School
Gr: PK | 29 students
Avg. class size: 7 students
Daycare / Preschool
2117 Piney Plains Road
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 859-0041
(2)
Map of Morrisville KinderCare
Gr: NS-PK
Daycare / Preschool
131 Keybridge Dr
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 678-8233
Stevens Prep Academy Photo
Gr: 3-12 | 17 students
Avg. class size: 4 students
Specialized Curriculum
901 Oak Creek Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 846-0118
Map of Strategic Academy
Gr: 4-12 | 52 students
3200 Waterfield Dr
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 800-4400
Map of Upper Room Christian Academy
Gr: PK-5 | 227 students
Church of God in Christ
3330 Idlewood Village Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 829-6239

Overview

Category
This State (NC)
US
# Schools
125 Schools
# Students
21,956 Students
137,049 Students
% Average Students of Color
24%
24%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
2,224 Teachers
13,662 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
54%
48%
Average Class Size
17 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
12 courses
11 courses
Average SAT score
1186
(Out of 1600)
1207
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
25

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$14,482
$13,292
Average Summer Program Cost
$212
$743
Average % on Financial Aid
19%
31%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$10,479
$5,530
Average Acceptance Rate
82%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$25.13 million
$25.68 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.57
0.58
# American Indian Students
41 Students
641 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,242 Students
4,214 Students
% Asian Students
6%
3%
# Hispanic Students
975 Students
5,801 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
4%
# Black Students
1,118 Students
9,647 Students
% Black Students
5%
7%
# White Students
13,386 Students
79,820 Students
% White Students
61%
59%
# Hawaiian Students
29 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
5,231 Students
34,481 Students
% of Others Students
24%
26%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Wake County, NC?
The top ranked private schools in Wake County, NC include Cary Christian School, Ravenscroft, and Cardinal Gibbons High School.
How many private schools are located in Wake County?
115 private schools are located in Wake County.
How much do private schools cost in Wake County?
The average tuition cost is $14,482, which is higher than the North Carolina private school average tuition cost of $13,292.
How diverse are private schools in Wake County?
Wake County private schools are approximately 24% minority students, which is same as the North Carolina private school average of 24%.
What percentage of students in Wake County go to private school?
10% of all K-12 students in Wake County are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Wake County?
34% of private schools in Wake County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Catholic).
Which private schools in Wake County are often viewed compared to one another?

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