2024 Best Places to Teach in North Carolina

• Columbus, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  10 reviews

Junior: I was going to a different high school up until my junior year. Covid hit, closing things down. Especially schools. My old high school was fully remote the entire 2020-2021 school year. I wanted to go in person! I missed interactions with peers. I missed sitting in a classroom. I missed the teacher lectures. So after debating the pros and cons of transferring schools in high schools, I decided to transfer to Polk County High School in September 2020. I was very nervous about the decision. However, once I walked thru the doors I was greeted with smiling faces, eager to meet me. Teachers were so nice and helpful. I made friends quickly. It is a small school, but the friendliness and welcoming I recieved was big. I love it here! I am so happy I made the decision to transfer. People always say that small towns are friendly towns. They are absoulutly right! I can not see myself going anywhere else! I am so thankful and gratful to call Polk County High School, "my school"!... Read 10 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Average teacher salary $49,405

• Boone, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  18 reviews

Senior: The school is very hands on and has many opportunities for students, whether it be athletic, academic or the arts. I am not an athlete and have love of the arts, I have participated in many programs with choir, for 4 years I have been to many traveling competitions receiving superior ratings. This has helped my self esteem and my choices for college. I have been accepted into 2 of the schools I have applied for already and am able to make a decision on which school is best for me. Watauga schools have helped guide me and give me the tools to further my education. All I need now is the ability to pay for college, I come from a low income home of a full time working single mom and my little sister has special needs. I plan on majoring in Psychology and continuing my education to complete research and study mental illnesses and disorders. I love my hometown and want to return to give back to the community that has supported me growing up.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Average teacher salary $49,209

• Newton, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.28 out of 5  18 reviews

Senior: Being a Newton Conover High School senior has been the best 4 years of my life. From walking into this beautiful culture my Freshman was so exciting to me personally, the teachers/staff are amazing and are so understanding, definitely will miss the awesome memories that were created here during my 4 years at NCHS!... Read 18 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Average teacher salary $47,097

• Mount Airy, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 3.75 out of 5  12 reviews

Senior: Going to Mount Airy City Schools was amazing. The teachers and staff truly care about the students wants and needs. They were so accommodating, especially throughout the Covid-19 situation. Easily, I can think of five staff members that I could have gone to to talk about any personal issues that I was having, I always felt comfortable and safe in Mount Airy High school. The teachers were always willing to help with any situation. They also truly cared not only about my well-being, but also my learning experience. Mount Airy City Schools is a truly amazing school system to be a part of. Go Bears!... Read 12 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Average teacher salary $47,352

• Burnsville, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  6 reviews

Senior: Lots of class diversity and very accepting community. Not very racially diverse, but there's lots of culture and art to participate in and create. A good place to grow up and get my pre-college education... Read 6 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Average teacher salary $51,174

• Forest City, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  29 reviews

Senior: I like Rutherford County Schools because it offers a structured program to meet the requirements necessary to go to a four year college. Teachers are experienced to teach courses that are challenging. Extracurricular courses are offered and are very interesting. Art classes are structured where a student can imagine and draw pictures on paper as a reality. Rutherford County Schools can offer more architecture and drafting courses to help students who are interested in designing buildings and structures in different areas. Also, it can be a foundation for students who choose to go to college and pursue a degree in that area.... Read 29 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Average teacher salary $49,003

• North Wilkesboro, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  28 reviews

Senior: Overall, Wilkes County Schools have been great! Breakfast and lunch are free for all elementary and middle schoolers. High schoolers have to pay. Although, the lunch foods are not that great.... Read 28 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Average teacher salary $47,949

• Marshall, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  11 reviews

Senior: I've always been pushed to do better, the teachers have always facilitated my needs. Overall a pretty good school.... Read 11 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Average teacher salary $49,756

• Dobson, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  30 reviews

Works Here: I love working here. Not only do my fellow staff truly care about kids, they truly care for each other. It makes me so happy to know that I can come to work every day and know that the work we are doing collectively is making a difference in a student's life. We have some of the best educators in this STATE!... Read 30 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Average teacher salary $50,032

• Monroe, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  166 reviews

Senior: UCPS utilizes practical solution that most other school districts don't. Instead of wasting precious time and taxpayer money on institutional methods, real world solutions are presented. This makes for a much smoother operating school and more well-rounded kids.... Read 166 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Average teacher salary $50,344

• Bakersville, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  8 reviews

Senior: My favorite thing about Mitchell County Schools has to be the teachers. Although I would consider Mitchell County schools to be average in other areas, I have had the opportunity to connect with great teachers, in all subjects, which is awesome. This interaction with knowledgable and compassionate instructors has influenced my success as a student, and for that I am extremely grateful. Some aspects of Mitchell County schools that I would like to see change include more clubs/ organization involvement opportunities; a greater focus on environmentally friendly practices, particularly regarding the cafeteria; and more support for the arts, whether musical or material.... Read 8 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Average teacher salary $51,018

• Shelby, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.19 out of 5  26 reviews

Senior: Cleveland county schools are a great group of schools that provide an excellent education to students. Students have the chance to learn about new things, and also learn how to live in a great community.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Average teacher salary $47,678

• Whiteville, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  7 reviews

Parent: Great education! Small district with great teachers, administrators and support staff. They care about the success of all students!... Read 7 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Average teacher salary $48,892

• Morganton, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 3.27 out of 5  45 reviews

Junior: I like burke county schools because we have lots of opportunities with college classes through community college, we also have great sports rivalries making it fun to be a part of the school community. I'm fortunate to go to a well-kept up school with great teachers who care about their students and what they want to do with their future.... Read 45 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Average teacher salary $52,195

• Beaufort, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  23 reviews

Senior: A pretty solid education experience, though lacking in any sense of passion or drive, especially regarding core classes, in exception of one teacher. On the county level, though, they enforced the following of curriculum and educated me in a way that covered the basics of college readiness.... Read 23 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Average teacher salary $49,891

• Brevard, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  7 reviews

Freshman: I love this county! Everyone here is so kind and we are all like one big family even with the common rivalry between Rosman and Brevard, but of course, that is expected in a small town! Many students graduating from this county go on to do great things or give back to our community in some way. The athletic programs are, for the most part, really good and have brought home quite a few conference championships!... Read 7 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Average teacher salary $50,541

• Sylva, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  10 reviews

Alum: I was fortunate to have an early college program in the JCPS system. I graduated this spring with my high school diploma as well as my Associate in Science, which is transferring entirely to North Carolina State University and has saved me two years worth of college money! The teachers are certainly underpaid and not shown the respect they deserve by the district, and there are very few opportunities for community involvement in district-wide decisions.... Read 10 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Average teacher salary $47,588

• Sparta, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 3.77 out of 5  13 reviews

Senior: I am currently a student at Alleghany High School. The staff there is amazing with students! My teachers are awesome! They always try to engage with the students, making sure they are getting all of the information they need! They have fun activities and amazing opportunities! We recently just got a bunch of new clubs to help students get involved! Overall, an amazing school!... Read 13 reviews

• grade B

• grade A minus

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Average teacher salary $47,011

• Franklin, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  12 reviews

Junior: Not much in the way of academics or clubs, however I think it’s a good school with great support and involvement from parents and teachers. Lacks funding in a lot of areas but all the teachers are considerate and good at what they do!... Read 12 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Average teacher salary $48,775

• Snow Hill, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  12 reviews

Alum: Greene county schools give a welcoming environment to students and make education fun and entertaining for them. However, because the school district is so small a lot of what you want comes from who you know that works within the schools. That is not a big issue though in more current days in the Greene county schools. The bigger issue is that sometimes the school environment is too entertaining. Most administrators focus on how to make things fun versus what is appropriate for a learning environment. I think we need a little more professionalism in some of the Greene county district schools. However, I believe the school system has improved tremendously and this has allowed many more students to want to come to school and further their education. Just a few adjustments in Greene county schools could achieve even more greatness within the school's students.... Read 12 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Average teacher salary $48,128

• Swan Quarter, NC•

• School District

• grade B

• grade B+

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Average teacher salary $49,540

• Lincolnton, NC•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  33 reviews

Senior: My school, overall, has been a positive experience. The academics have been strong, and I've developed well. However, there are areas where improvements could be made. I'd like to see more funding allocated to the band program and the media center to enhance the resources available for creative and intellectual pursuits. Additionally, increasing the number of guidance counselors would provide better support for students' personal and academic needs. Focusing on cleanliness and fostering a culture of respect within the school environment would create a more conducive atmosphere for learning. Emphasizing project-based learning methods would also enhance our educational experience. Despite these suggestions, I believe my school has contributed significantly to my overall growth and development.... Read 33 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Average teacher salary $48,365

• Cary, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  543 reviews

Parent: Wake County Schools aim to provide a quality education to all students. The district offers a wide range of programs and services, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, magnet schools, and special education programs. It has diverse student population. The teachers have consistently shown a high level of dedication and commitment to their students' growth and development. Students are encouraged to take up new challenges. School believes in open and transparent communication. Teachers are staying up-to-date with innovative teaching methods and technologies. This has enriched my child's learning experience and prepared them for the future. The variety of extracurricular activities and clubs offered at the school has allowed my child to explore their interests beyond the classroom. Schools are committed to provide a safe learning environment. Wake County Schools are one of the best schools in North Carolina!... Read 543 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Average teacher salary $48,430

• Lenoir, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.18 out of 5  34 reviews

Niche User: I am excited to start my journey into PTA at Caldwell community college. So far, I believe the program and the teachers will all be excellent for my education. I have seen how they choose to gauge the criteria for their programs and am super excited. Making sure that reading comprehension is very high on the list because students who have trouble reading and understanding what they've read, would most certainly have a poor time making it through.... Read 34 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Average teacher salary $50,622

• Newton, NC•

• School District

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  52 reviews

Senior: As someone who has moved from county to county, I can say that Catawba county offers an expansive range of opportunities for students to participate in early-college programs and ensures that all students have the information available to them. Catawba county schools are also very cooperative with one another and work as a collective team rather than following stigmatization of "rival schools." The one thing that I would improve about the school system is to not only prioritize budget spending on sports but to also allow the musical, artistic, and theatrical cultures to grow and expand. I believe that it is important to balance ALL extracurricular activities and to allow students to explore their interests equally; not only showing them the physical side. But despite these suggestions to the county's policies, I have had an amazing 3 years at my high school and in the county!... Read 52 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Average teacher salary $48,773