2024 Best Boarding High Schools in North Carolina

• Winston-salem, NC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  80 reviews

Parent: Salem Academy has been a great opportunity for my daughter. Salem Academy provided a rigorous academic schedule tailor made for my child. Being able to take college classes on site really enhances the individual needs of each student, and the ability to dive deeper into their personal journey. I highly recommend Salem Academy for any girl that wants to excel in academics and push their personal limits. In addition, it is a beautiful campus rich with history and located within walking distance to all downtown has to offer!... Read 80 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 76

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• Asheville, NC•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.68 out of 5  72 reviews

Alum: I graduated from Christ School in 2021. Christ School was an excellent place for me to grow as a student, athlete, and person. The academics are challenging, but the faculty will do whatever it takes in order to help you succeed. The athletics department is superb, and there is are a wide variety of sports/activities available. There is also something always happening on campus for students to join in, whether it be dorm wars or a residential life event. There are also a variety of off campus trips/activities that are most often provided at no extra cost. Attending was an amazing experience for me, and I would highly recommend giving Christ School a look!... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 300

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Asheville, NC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  102 reviews

Senior: My experience at Asheville School has been amazing. I chose to be a boarding student mainly to pursue athletic goals but I have grown so much not just as an athlete but as a person. The academically rigorous environment is something that I am very grateful for as it has pushed me to be a better student. The worst part about Asheville School is the strictness and not having the typical high school experience. Now I do not think that it is necessarily possible for this to happen at a boarding school where the school is responsible for our well being but greater freedom would be appreciated. Overall I have definitely enjoyed my time at Asheville School and I am looking forward to being a student leader as a dorm Prefect this upcoming year!... Read 102 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 294

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  34 reviews

Parent: As my daughters prepare to graduate this May, I can't say enough about Saint Mary's School. SMS has been an exceptional experience for my two girls (twins). The level of engagement, community, academics, and spirit that SMS offers is unparalleled. Educationally, my girls and their peers are challenged to love learning and to learn to think critically. SMS helps them amplify their voices, find confidence, learn to lead, and fostered their individual growth. Both of my daughters love the Saint Mary's community and have enjoyed extracurriculars including participating in sports, the arts, and several student clubs and organizations, including student government. Saint Mary's girls truly do find and develop lifelong friendships, and I am simply in awe of the amazing network of alumnae they have available to them. I was also impressed that they were provided internship experiences prior to college! And, their four-year seminar program and college counseling is phenomenal. GoSaints!... Read 34 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 309

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Oak Ridge, NC•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  9 reviews

Senior: Oak Ridge Military Academy is a private school that puts students into a real-world problem-solving environment. They have you start out being a recruit that has to be taught everything that involves the military, like performing a right or left face and learning how to march. Once you finish recruit training, you are placed into a company (a large group of cadets), where you are a private. While in a company, you will be given the opportunity to move through the ranks by having a professional attitude. You have to maintain a professional appearance by having a shirt and pants that are pressed, shoes that are highly shined, and most importantly having a positive impact on your community. By volunteering every chance you get, always checking on fellow cadets, and being a positive role model for the cadets around you. This is why Oak Ridge Military Academy teaches you real-world problem-solving by having you go through the challenges of being a professional.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A

• Students 90

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Candler, NC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  60 reviews

Senior: My experience at Mount Pisgah Academy extends past my 4 years at the high school, it actually expands all the way to 12 years of being on this campus! I went to the K-8 school that is within 100 feet of the Academy's campus. I've always enjoyed MPA, due to the high school spirit, sports programs, regulated intramural programs, the academic gains, and the safety the school brings throughout the entire campus. The school is always ready for anything and has a strong strive to help kids and young adults venture through the beginning of their life. I believe that this high school is one of the absolute best in the world, no doubt, but I do believe that there are some things that can be improved. The first one may not be obvious, but it is the College Readiness. The College Readiness is absolutely fantastic if you are going to Adventist College, but if other options excite you, then a lot of the work will be on your own shoulders. This included the school is absolutely amazing!... Read 60 reviews

• grade A

• Students 97

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Winston Salem, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.77 out of 5  22 reviews

Works Here: Winston-Salem Christian School is a wonderful community of people who love the Lord and people. It is an excellent school that focuses on academics, diversity, sports, and relationship. It is a family of people who come together to uplift students and further their education through dedication, prayer, and support. On top of it, students are receiving a biblical-based foundation. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." This is exactly what we do here! Everyone at Winston-Salem Christian truly cares about you! WSCS is exactly what I prayed for and needed. Becoming a part of the community and family here is the best decision I made! The staff, teachers, administration, and students are all incredible. I couldn't have asked to join a better team!... Read 22 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 376

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Pisgah Forest, NC•

• Private School•

• 10-11

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  6 reviews

Alum: The small class sizes, more one-on-one opportunities, and hands-on learning at OA helped me excel in my academics and set me on a path to graduate early with honors. The community aspect of the semester helped me build conflict resolution, communication, awareness, and other interpersonal skills. All that paired with the leadership skills I gained during the semester have helped me immensely post OA. All the connections formed between students and staff help greatly with feelings of loneliness and homesickness. OA does a great job at following and teaching positive and safe risk taking. The staff at OA let us figure out challenges on our own and as a group but would always intervene if the situation was too risky. This helped me feel safe and still know I was learning and being able to make my own decisions. Overall The Outdoor Academy was by far the best decision my family and I could have made for my education and growth as a person in this diverse and big world.... Read 6 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 28

• Student-teacher ratio 2:1

• Waynesville, NC•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  7 reviews

Junior: The Academy At SOAR is a great school for students with ADHD and LD. SOAR allows students to learn and study inside a small group class instruction. The teachers are very experienced that have a wide knowledge of culture, history, literary, mathematics, and college, and life readiness. While learning on campus, students have the opportunity to go on expeditions every 2 weeks. Those expeditions offer experiential learning. Which prepares them for life long skills and an open environment. The Academy is an amazing school with wide opportunity for all students.... Read 7 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 24

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• Mars Hill, NC•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Niche User: WCA has a very positive feel. The location is beautiful and calming. The staff here are dedicated to helping each student. Wolf Creek helps the students continue academically from their previous school. The counseling sessions are so helpful. The teens come hurt and angry but leave with a restored faith, smile and a bright future ahead.... Read 4 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 22

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1