2023 Best Charter Schools in North Carolina

• Raleigh, NC•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.48 out of 5  201 reviews

Senior: I transferred to Raleigh Charter my junior year of high school. I completed my junior year there and will complete my senior year there soon. I really like how academically challenging this school is in all aspects. I am by no means a STEM student, but there are a lot of rigorous STEM classes offered here. The humanities courses, which I prefer, are amazing as well. The teachers are extremely helpful and good at their jobs, and offer a lot of support inside and outside the classroom. The extracurricular activities that take place on campus are super fun and I always enjoy being an active part of the school community. One thing I think could change is the administration's responsiveness to issues that arise between students. Dissolving potential fights and preventing students from committing inappropriate actions from happening to other students is something that is not their strong suit. That was also an issue when my sister attended RCHS, which was years ago. Overall, a good school.... Read 201 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 569

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Chapel Hill, NC•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  54 reviews

Parent: I have three children at WCS and we have been incredibly pleased with our experience! I went to a small private school and see many similarities between it and the experience my children are having at Woods. We have LOVED our teachers. My son is currently being placed into a reading intervention program to receive extra help. The school and specialists have been attentive and responsive to all of our questions. It is a loving, nurturing and positive atmosphere. I am so happy we are at this school and look forward to many more years as part of the Woods family!... Read 54 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 509

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Durham, NC•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  62 reviews

Parent: We love the atmosphere of this school, the teachers are fun but also serious about teaching and learning. Expectations are high and students work hard but they don't have tons of homework, and many classes have lots of hands-on activities. We love the personalized learning method, students can move ahead quickly if they have already mastered the material - so much better than spending hours bored in class while the teacher goes over something you already know! It's a little confusing to understand how the grading works at first, but it's worth the hassle. We're so glad we took a chance and tried something different.... Read 62 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 586

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Charlotte, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  16 reviews

Parent: Having been at the school since its inception and assisting in many ways from start-up fundraising, marketing, assisting in the classroom and coaching, I can tell you that the Scholars’ Academy is a gifted school like no other. With my three children attending (one having had AWEFUL experiences in public school before being identified as twice gifted), they were able to freely explore their intellectual abilities and create solid lifelong friendships. All organizations have growing pains and our school may not be perfect for your student… that is an opportunity for the parent to find the right place where their student flourishes! The Scholars’ Academy lets kids be kids, have fun and learn at their speed. Being at SA is like a trip to the United Nations of Children. Our diversity is broad. Moving into high school is always an adjustment, but for 9 years my children were able to feel good in their skin and have fun learning!... Read 16 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 390

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: My son has been a student since kindergarten... Quest Academy offers the best education in available in a public school setting. He is at least two years ahead of the average student in NC for his grade level academically. I plan for him to finish through the 8th grade... Quest was the BEST decision we ever made!... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 140

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Aberdeen, NC•

• Public School•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  11 reviews

Parent: This is the best school in the area (free one). Teachers are amazing, and kids are really advanced in comparison to their peers. I realized that people who complain about the school are the ones who have tendencies to push their agenda on certain things and it didn't work out for them in TAMC. Im very involved in my child education, but I dont try to tell teachers how to do their job (not that I ever had to). Communication between teachers and parents is great, and if I ever have an additional question I email my son's teacher and get the answer in a few hours.... Read 11 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 471

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Lumberton, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A+

• Students 213

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Hillsborough, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  7 reviews

Parent: Our daughter has thrived since the day she started TES. The deep exploration of project based learning in a non-judgmental, creative STEAM environment has fostered her love of learning. The school administrators and staff have given such careful thought to the diverse group of learners and how the curriculum can be both challenging but also adjustable and engaging for everyone in the class. We have been at other schools and TES is unparalleled in the quality of education and development of the whole child. We love our school!... Read 7 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 362

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Huntersville, NC•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  271 reviews

Alum: I spent eight years at LNC and made great friends and even greater memories. The sporting events are always fun to attend, especially with the Knightmare student section. The majority of teachers are amazing and you have many opportunities to take AP and Dual Enrollment courses. They also have a great lunch program where you can order from places like Chik-Fil-A and Panda Express. The only thing I didn’t enjoy with LNC was how everyone had their own social group that they always stuck with. Overall, I enjoyed my time at LNC and I will forever be a Knight!... Read 271 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,207

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Wake Forest, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: Teachers and administrators are the best in Wake County. School community is active and engaged. Our three girls have had the best experience at Endeavor.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 536

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: We have had a fantastic experience at Exploris. We had two kids start when they expanded to elementary in 2014 and my youngest was lucky enough to start there in K. My oldest has since moved on to HS (for which she was extremely well prepared) and still says she misses Exploris. The culture and community at the school are warm and welcoming. They are making a real effort to become more diverse, which can be hard for charters without funds for transportation. The curriculum is project or theme based, so that content is linked to real life, particularly in the middle school. My kids have done great academically, but we've really enjoyed the "whole child" education approach. It is turning my children into compassionate, kind thinkers that will see problems around them and feel empowered to tackle them. If you're looking for a ton of sports, Exploris is not for you, but my kids have enjoyed club offerings and enrichment classes through Explorations.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 453

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Morrisville, NC•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: We have had two children (K-8th) that have benefitted from the wonderful atmosphere at Sterling. The teachers are amazing and provide a safe and nurturing environment that allows each student to live up to their potential. One of the best decision we ever made!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 616

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Greensboro, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  7 reviews

Parent: My son has been going to Greensboro academy sense kindergarten. The teachers there are amazing and also looking out for the best interests of the kids. The administration is the best around! It's a very clean and welcoming school! We moved last year 45 min away and I still drive every day to take my son there. I wouldn't have him go anywhere else!... Read 7 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 758

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Summerfield, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

• grade A+

• Students 780

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Public School•

• 3-8

• •
  Rating 3.43 out of 5  14 reviews

Niche User: I like the small classes, it helps with focused studies. They can somehow cram all that knowledge but make it feel like a game of paper. The diversity has risen over the years, and lots of the kids are nice. It helps prepare students for upcoming years and incorporates all of the "specials" and "electives" into the classes or you can sign up for an after school activity. You get to bring your own food which helps with allergy and health worries from stressed parents. I've seen two very nice janitors and lots of encouraging words all around. Thank you Magellan Charter for being a great school.... Read 14 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 405

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Asheville, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Francine Delay has been amazing for my son! They do so many cool activities and projects that keep him really engaged! I love how responsive the teachers are! My son had speech delays starting kindergarten and his teacher went above and beyond to make sure he felt confident speaking up in class! There is a really wonderful community feeling at Francine Delany, it's a really incredible school!... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 182

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Wake Forest, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: We’re in our 5th year at ESA! My daughter loves being an Eagle! Her 3rd and 5th grades were amazing with some of the best educators pouring knowledge and passion for learning into each student. Project-based learning is so effective, relevant and transferable to trade or higher education. Highly recommend!... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 726

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Mooresboro, NC•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  140 reviews

Senior: Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy is a school that has a rigorous curriculum that prepares its students for college. The teachers here truly want to see the students succeed and are very willing to do anything they can to help make sure the students understand and excel at the curriculum and so much more. The teachers and administration want to make sure every student that attends has as many opportunities to succeed as possible. Over the past few years, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy has expanded its campus with the intent of improving current students' experiences and welcoming more students to the TJCA family. Overall the teachers and students at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy are wonderful, understanding, and caring people.... Read 140 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,358

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Cary, NC•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  33 reviews

Senior: Overall, fairly good school. Good academics (offers all non-obscure APs in HS) with strong teachers in all your core classes. More flexibility than most schools, very accommodating of students charting their own course through taking advanced classes. Never felt unsafe. Prepares you well for college. It's a smaller STEM school, so sports are middling. You'd think the clubs would be strong, and they can be, but only when students or parents take initiative/leadership and take over the club. When this happens, strong resources are provided. When it doesn't, clubs fall into disrepair until another leader comes along. The schools weakest point is admin, which seems to be quite bad. Teacher management is bad: I've seen teachers dealing with unreasonable/confusing demands, and more than one leave because of it. Perhaps the biggest manifestation of this is that the school is currently too small for how many students it has. A second school has been promised for years and is needed.... Read 33 reviews

• grade A

• Students 946

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• Holly Springs, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Pine Springs offers one of the most rich curriculum experiences I have seen in any elementary school. My children come home teaching me something new every day. The board truly listens to parent input. The PTO is top notch. We have been thoroughly pleased with the rich education our children are receiving at PSPA.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 825

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Mooresville, NC•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  134 reviews

Junior: I joined Pine Lake Preparatory this year and my experience had been wonderful! This school has classes that allow me to explore my interests in art+animation and in STEM! This was really exciting to me, and currently, the school is looking to add more semester-long choices for students to explore their interests. The academics are fairly good and the school offers a large selection of AP courses. The experiences I've had with my teachers have been good, I've been able to communicate my needs with them over email, and if I need to meet with one of them about something I've been able to arrange that. In terms of diversity, the school reflects the demographics of the six counties it pulls from. Racially, most of the students are white, but there are a variety of socioeconomic statuses, and there are some clubs for minority students. In terms of student organizations, there are plenty, I'm a member of several, including the robotics team! This school is great and I'm glad to be here.... Read 134 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,877

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Davidson, NC•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  74 reviews

Senior: Community School of Davidson has the best teachers I have ever had, they truly care about you and they go out of their way to help you. For example I had emailed a teacher at 10:30 pm, and I didn't want or expect them to get back to me that night but sure enough at 11 pm they did. The learning style here is something I have never experienced, in that they don't have test ever week and in a history class I had we look at a war that happened and got articles from both countries that were involved to see how they both blamed each other. But the other students are nice, but most of the students have been there since preschool so they take our school for granted. Also the students there are 85% well off, which isn't a bad thing but there just isn't a diversity of wealth or race. Overall CSD is a good school and they try their best!... Read 74 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,430

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Matthews, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.56 out of 5  18 reviews

Middle School Student: After reading some of these reviews it is absolutely absurd that you would think this isn't the best school you could send your kid to. Not only is it academically the best school I've ever seen, not only does it have the best teacher student relationships I've seen but it also has the least amount of bullying in maybe every school in the nation. Bullying is far from tolerated and the most I've seen is name calling. With that to quote another review I saw that said teacher leave so often be cause it's terrible, they actually leave often because most Greek teachers on are visa's to teach in the United States they're not leaving because they hate it they're leaving because they legally are required to. I've never seen a school that consistently graduates kids smarter than you can imagine. To even think that this school isn't a too school is the nation is blasphemy. The only thing that isn't top notch in the school is the sports probably because they're too busy making your kids smarter... Read 18 reviews

• grade A

• Students 769

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Cary, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 915

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Apex, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 1.67 out of 5  6 reviews

• grade A

• Students 773

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1