2024 Best Private High Schools in North Carolina

• Cary, NC•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  104 reviews

Freshman: Cary Academy has an excellent environment for academics, athletics, and socializing. The teaching staff is one of the best parts of my experience at CA. Most, if not all teachers I have had made their role in the class very clear, being open to listening and helping their students. The staff at Cary Academy are very supportive of what each student is doing in and outside of school, going out of their way to check in. One of the worst parts of my experience was two situations where someone has been racist, whether intentionally or not. The first was with a teacher during something called a Community day, when she asked the 3 of us black students in the room if we spoke an African language, and she didn't ask any of the other 10 or 15 students. The other was with another student, who had racially motivated comments towards more than 2 people, some being my friends. We were able to resolve both situations though, which shows how supportive the rest of the staff is.... Read 104 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 789

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Durham, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  105 reviews

Parent: We are blown away by the quality of teachers at DA. Our kids have experience middle and upper school at DA and they are always sharing what they are learning about with great enthusiasm. Even in lower grades, students are challenged to use their critical thinking skills and to go deep on subject matter. The teachers take time to really get to know their students - reading report cards makes it’s clear that the truly “see” your children and understand both their gifts and areas where they need to grow. The advisory model is a great system for parents and students as you always have one person who knows what is happening with your child and has the big picture view. The arts and athletics programs are top notch - the only problem is there is not enough time in the day to take advantage of it all. The course offerings are diverse with a big emphasis on learning about people from all different walks of life and cultures. It is exciting to see my children grow at DA!... Read 105 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,237

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Charlotte, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  65 reviews

Parent: PD is far more than a top notch TK-12 college prep school! It is truly a community of dedicated, attentive & engaged teachers, administrators, staff, parents & families. PD is our second home. The curriculum is rigorous, the extracurriculars are wide ranging, and mental health & student support services are exemplary. More importantly, the student service opportunities are limitless and students actively participate by choice. We chose PD due to their welcoming of diverse families, and my daughters have close friends from a wide range of backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities. My oldest daughter recently matriculated from PD to a highly selective college and hasn't missed a beat. PD prepared her to solve problems, think critically, manage her time, practice self-care and instinctively make a positive difference in the larger community. My youngest daughter at PD is thriving and discovering an intense interest in STEM activities, such as Radio Astronomy. PD is truly exceptional!... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,903

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Gastonia, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  119 reviews

Parent: My children thrived at GDS under the guidance of excellent teachers, professional administration and a student body whose parents are invested in their children and the school community. The academics are rigorous and students and expected to give their best. Our daughter was very well prepared for her college classes at a top tier university. Sports are competitive yet accessible the art program is unmatched! There is something special awaiting every child at GDS!... Read 119 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 455

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• 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

• Charlotte, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  42 reviews

Alum: Country Day is an incredible school with excellent teachers, passionate coaches, and a friendly student body. The school fosters a strong sense of community and truly cares about its faculty. Country Day also offers extra-curricular activities that provide students with the opportunity to perform at the highest levels of athletic, artistic, and academic competition. Having completed my freshman year of college, I can easily say that I was better prepared than many of my fellow first year students. Country Day is truly a college preparatory school in every sense—alums will be equipped with the skills they need to thrive in college, provided they are willing to work hard. I can’t think of a better high school to be a student athlete or developing artist or budding scientist than Country Day—the emphasis on the whole of the student is truly remarkable. With all of its strengths, its few weaknesses—bad cafeteria food and a handful of subpar administrators—don’t really register.... Read 42 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,738

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• 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

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  127 reviews

Senior: I attended Ravenscroft from middle school to now. I am a senior and I will say the academics, teachers, and college readiness are unmatched. The work is very challenging depending on the classes you take, but if you have good time management skills, it shouldn’t be that overwhelming. Teachers are very supportive and get to know you. They want you to succeed and invite every student to come during tutorial time for help. The school puts a great emphasis on leadership and character. Ever since day one, I remember Lead From Here lessons in which we learn all the values and attributes that will help us lead ourselves effectively and lead others in the real world. Hence, it is very easy to start a club, and there are tons of opportunities for students to develop and share their passions with others. I cannot say that socially this a great school for everyone though. Unfortunately, I was not really able to build friendships with the other students.... Read 127 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,239

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Charlotte, NC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  89 reviews

Alum: CLS prepared me so well for college. I attended a top university and felt like the transition from high school to a rigorous college environment was smooth––if not easier than my high school workload. The faculty at CLS invest in the students and encourage the value of learning more than perfection and top grades. I regularly keep in touch with old teachers and coaches, which not many of my non-CLS friends relate to. While diversity is historically lacking, the DEI office is spectacular and led by inspiring individuals who seek to make Latin a more inclusive place. The only negative comments I have in regard to my CLS experience relate to the parents of students. I never encountered high school bullies in my peers, but some of the parents of my peers were weirdly over-invested in their children's social lives and college "competition." However, I have found that CLS students hold one another to high standards of moral character, honor, and respect. I truly loved my time at Latin!... Read 89 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,481

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Greensboro, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  63 reviews

Senior: Greensboro Day School is very supportive academically and in the college-prep sense. The teachers want you to succeed, and it is easy to communicate with them both inside and outside of school. The environment focuses on honor, and it is a safe environment considering all of the security measures in place. As for the student life, it is very heavily sports focused with less focus on the arts and academics. It is not very diverse, and students often appear to be unaware of their privilege and position in society due to being at a private independent school. GDS can often be more of a bubble than it intends to be. If one is able to look past this, they'll find that most of the students are fairly nice and respectful of other students, faculty, and staff.... Read 63 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 951

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Asheville, NC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  104 reviews

Junior: Asheville School has been a wonderful experience for my growth. It challenges me academically but I am able to pick my course load difficulty, and there is no pressure to perform highly. The teachers are extremely helpful for the most part, especially in the science department. We have a very strong humanities department, an average math department, an excellent science department, and an average language department. The athletics are anything a private school could ask for, small but mighty. We are exceptional in swimming, and pretty solid in football and basketball, all other sports are average. School spirit is above average, certainly better than our cross town rivals, CDS, ACA, and especially Christ School. Of the 5 boarding schools I toured, Asheville School had the best dorms. Single rooms after freshman year, and if you live in Lawrence, large rooms too. The few flaws id like to point out is the student life office can be a bit close minded. Love it here mostly!... Read 104 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 294

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Durham, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  65 reviews

Parent: Moving back to the USA after 20 years in Asia, Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill has been a God-send for our Freshman daughter. With class sizes of ~50 in each year of the high school, she receives individualized attention from teachers and the Trinity school community that has helped her settle in. Academics are certainly challenging, but teachers stand at the ready to help and keep students on-track. Diversity has also exceeded our expectations at Trinity. Cannot recommend highly enough!... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 583

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Fayetteville, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.8 out of 5  55 reviews

Junior: I really love this school! My main concern is where my tuition money is going- the water filters have not been changed for years (at least) and all of our teachers are chronically underpaid to the point of getting secondary jobs. However, in terms of an academically focused environment, this school is #1.... Read 55 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 388

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Lewisville, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  56 reviews

Parent: Forsyth Country Day School has consistently “hit it out of the park”! I truly believe it has been a life changing experience for my daughter. FCDS meets the individual needs of the student, supporting them academically, athletically, and through leadership and service opportunities while simultaneously creating a community of wellness and belonging. The Johnson Academic Center provides one-on-one support during the school day for those children who academically need it. The impact of the FCDS faculty, staff and JAC on my child cannot be understated. FCDS’s vision for the future will be transformative for their students and education as a whole. I’m grateful for the decision to join their community. My only regret is not doing it sooner.... Read 56 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 924

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Goldsboro, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  47 reviews

Alum: Wayne Country Day helped prepare me for college and who I am today. The tough curriculum at Wayne Country Day only sets you up for success in college. Furthermore, the diversity is growing year by year.... Read 47 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 330

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Durham, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.86 out of 5  7 reviews

Parent: GREAT school! The small, individualized classes are always engaging. Students are challenged and encouraged to think and share ideas. This is a school that meets the needs of ALL students in a safe and welcoming environment. The faculty, staff and students are like a big family. Excellent academics, electives, clubs, & team sports opportunities, too! Students graduating from Camelot are prepared for college and life!... Read 7 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 148

• 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

• Greenville, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  55 reviews

Parent: We moved here from an independent school in another state and are really impressed with the education our children are receiving at Oakwood. Our high schoolers are completing college level work - and enjoying it! There is a great sense of camaraderie between students and between students and faculty. The teachers are caring and communicative, and the community is incredibly welcoming. Great college placements too!... Read 55 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 312

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  241 reviews

Senior: Cardinal Gibbons is a school that, while having strong academics and support for sporting events, sometimes has a lack of creativity or support for the arts. Everything about the school looks the same, and there is little creative freedom that can be taken with things like clubs. Because of it being a Catholic school, I often felt unsafe expressing myself as an LGBTQ minority, as there is very little to no support for that at all. Despite all that, I have been able to meet some great people through doing the theater program and it is an experience that I will carry through the rest of my life. I felt the school helped set me up well for college, and provided support for the application process. While my time at Cardinal Gibbons has been nice, I can't wait to see what awaits me in university.... Read 241 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,611

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  43 reviews

Parent: My daughter started St. David's this year and we both have been thrilled with the school. Her teachers are invested, encouraging, challenging and very responsive. More than once, my daughter has stated how supported she feels by both the teachers and fellow students. I switched her from public schools as I worried she was not getting the academic instruction she needed. St. David's has been the perfect fit. One item to note, the school is Christian faith based and that doctrine is evident in school communications, parent groups and the values instilled in students.... Read 43 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 606

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Durham, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  28 reviews

Senior: I love, love, love Carolina Friends School! It has been truly life-changing for me. Many say that it's an "easy" school--I entirely disagree. To outsiders, it may seem hard to fail, but that is only because the staff is so loving and supportive of their students.... Read 28 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 514

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  23 reviews

Parent: Our children have attended this school since 2012 and we could not be more happy! The staff and faculty are engaged and responsive. Everything from volunteering their time to host bible studies for students to partnering with parents in monthly prayer meetings. The academics have prepared our children well as they matriculated to top tier colleges and transitioned from one grade to the next. And while all of these things are fantastic and we are grateful for them, the most endearing quality of Trinity is that the community really cares. We lift one another up when needed and celebrate alongside one another when life calls for celebration. Love seeing this school be the hands and feet of Jesus!... Read 23 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 609

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Southern Pines, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  62 reviews

Senior: The teachers form such close relationships with the students that they feel like friends. being able to make jokes and connect with teachers allows for connection between the students and the class they are taking and keeps learning fun and interactive. Friendships between grade levels are also common and help teach kids of all ages how to interact with people with different viewpoints from a young age. Community events, sports, and dances all involve the whole school, and the seamless transition between the classroom and out-of-classroom activities gives students the opportunity to always be thinking critically and to be in "school mode" all the time. The pressure some feel from shifting their personalities or who they are to please an authority- such as a teacher- doesn't exist. This school has given me amazing opportunities both in and out of school, but I remain sure that the relationships I have formed over these years are what have made me who I am today.... Read 62 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 544

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Davidson, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  71 reviews

Senior: I love Davidson Day. It is so helpful in the college process and really gets you prepared for life. It has done so much for me in terms of growth and has brought me so much joy in terms of the love and Carew the teachers show during your time during high school. They always know what they are doing and never fail to rise to the occasion. Davidson Day has done a great job with me and my peers education and has always been willing to go the extra mile. Davidson day has great leadership and core values that will stick with me for the rest of my life!... Read 71 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 456

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Wilmington, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  54 reviews

Parent: Finishing our 2nd year with one each in the LS and US. CFA has exceeded our expectations. Beginning with an admissions process that is efficient and individualized, it seems every staff member is invested in knowing our kids and empowering them to “Go Further”, which happens to be the school’s motto and could not be more apt. Communications are clear and transparent. If I’ve ever had a question and don’t know who to ask, it doesn’t matter. Everyone and anyone is friendly and helpful, and if they don’t know the answer they direct me to whomever does. There is any number of extracurricular activities and clubs. Participation is encouraged and embraced for all measures of previous experience from novice to expert. Academics are outstanding. Our girls are learning beyond our wildest dreams. We looked at several similar schools across the nation and feel CFA is a veritable bargain for our investment. Hands down, it is the best decision we could have made for our children.... Read 54 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 652

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1