2022 Best Private K-12 Schools in the Raleigh Area

• Durham, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  101 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 101 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,228

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  125 reviews

Parent: We originally considered making the change from public to private school for our girls because we knew would eventually have 3 kids in 3 schools on 3 schedules (year round & traditional). We thought we'd move our oldest to private & have the other 2 follow when they started middle school. Once we toured Ravenscroft, we decided to move all 3 immediately! We were impressed with the arts programs, athletic programs & differentiated learning opportunities. From the 1st open house to now, 2 years later, we are thankful every day we made the change. The girls transitioned easily & were welcomed by new friends. The differentiated education opportunities allow each of them to learn at their own pace. The "Lead From Here" program designed to create citizen leaders is a top focus within the school that starts in pre-k & goes through graduation. The Ravenscroft community of parents is very warm & welcoming. I highly recommend Ravenscroft to anyone considering private school in the Raleigh area.... Read 125 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,232

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  42 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 42 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 606

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Durham, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  61 reviews

Parent: We toured two other schools besides Trinity when we were searching for schools. Trinity won us over for a number of reasons. We love that the classroom sizes are small with teachers who have excellent credentials. Your child is really loved and known here. Unlike another school we explored, Trinity is very down-to-earth. While this is a Christian school, it isn't overly religious. Hands down, Trinity is the best school for us!... Read 61 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 558

• 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 501

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Cary, NC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  72 reviews

Parent: We have been with CCS since our oldest started Kindergarten and she is now in 3rd grade. We are so thankful for this school. Our own private school experience growing up wasn't great but CCS blows our experience out of the water! Not only do they provide an excellent Classical Christian Education, they also focus on the hearts of their students versus merely modifying outside behaviors. To feel like we have partners in raising our kids in the teachers and staff is such a blessing. To know that my kids are being challenged academically and spiritually is priceless. Seeing them start their journey in Kindergarten with presenting in front of the class as a 5 year old and headed to the finish line of their senior thesis presentation is exciting! I/we know the preparation they are receiving for college and life beyond is top notch! I can't imagine a better place for our children!... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 785

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Durham, NC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  8 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 8 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 124

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Chapel Hill, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  21 reviews

Parent: As a mainstream teacher, I sought for something other than public school for my own child. Her experience at EWS has put her right on track for college. The arts are integrated across the curriculum, and there is rigorous work in the High School akin to AP level coursework elsewhere. The faculty works together to help foster independent thinking and social responsibility, and they are perpetual learners themselves. As with any other method, Waldorf Education is not right for everyone, but it's worth checking out!... Read 21 reviews

• grade A

• Students 273

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  20 reviews

Alum: I left Trinity feeling very prepared for college! I had a great amount of support from my teachers in both my faith and in my academics. They are all experts in their fields who care not just about the learning of the material, but also about the wellbeing and overall success of their students. I also enjoyed the smaller class sizes, which led to many lively class discussions. I have sought out smaller classes in college because of the experiences I had in small classes in high school. I highly recommend Trinity to anyone looking for a place that will teach their student well, foster spiritual growth, and encourage their student to achieve their own personal best in all aspects of life.... Read 20 reviews

• grade A

• Students 474

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  146 reviews

Senior: I have attended North Raleigh Christian Academy for 13 years with a very positive experience. North Raleigh Christian is a great school to teach students how to love the Lord and others while receiving an excellent education. North Raleigh Christian sends students to college leaving them confident in their education and creative abilities. North Raleigh Christian allows each student to be creative and unique with many options for electives and sports! The North Raleigh Christian staff is very selfless and loving to each student. I had a wonderful experience at North Raleigh Christian Academy.... Read 146 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,485

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Durham, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.61 out of 5  41 reviews

Parent: This is an amazing school with teachers that care. They focus on what your child strengths are and build a desire to learn. It is truly a family atmosphere and my kids are safe. We tried public school in Durham and it was very bad. The religious aspect helps them with moral values and a healthy base. The most important thing to me is my kids are happy and learning. I highly recommend you take a look at this school. Tim Blancett... Read 41 reviews

• grade A

• Students 242

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  47 reviews

Senior: I've been at GRACE since kindergarten, and the community that this school provides is unlike anything I have ever seen. The class sizes are relatively small (never over 25), giving students the chance to develop relationships with each other as well as with their teachers. GRACE also gives students and teachers laptops to give access to more education and the ability to see and submit assignments online. Each student and teacher is also given an email address, which is extremely useful when communicating with teachers about needing help. The teachers do everything they can to help the students in their lives, not just academically. Every week, the students attend chapel and listen to a speaker talk about God. There is also an annual retreat at the beginning of the school year when the entire high school goes on a retreat for a few days for the students to learn more about God and build relationships with each other and the teachers while having lots of fun!... Read 47 reviews

• grade A

• Students 779

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Clayton, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  8 reviews

Sophomore: It is extremely safe and is a great environment to get good grades! I have felt more academically achieved since I started going here back in fifth grade.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 340

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Durham, NC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  13 reviews

Alum: Liberty Christian School strives to give its students a great education in a God-fearing manner. I was privileged to attend LCS for my four high school years and I loved my time there! In my spiritual life, I was challenged in my walk with God to grow closer to Him everyday. In academics, I was pushed to learn as much as a could and to develop character through my schooling. Although I still had learning to do, I was not lost when I got to college. In academics, I was able to participate in volleyball and cheerleading- both of which taught me how to be a team player, to encourage others, and to work hard. In my social life, I had teachers and classmates with whom I built lasting relationships. Just as any other place, LCS is not perfect, but its administration continually strives to improve so its students receive a great education and a God-centered foundation for life.... Read 13 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 237

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  56 reviews

Alum: If you want a strong education and college readiness then WCA is a great option! However, if you're looking for somewhere safe for your kids to learn then this is not always the best option. I went to WCA for all of highschool and was majorly bullied when all I ever did was sit in class and quietly do my work. There are definitely flaws in the system, but that is anywhere you go. WCA is not the worst, but I would recommend Grace Christian Academy before I recommend WCA. The admin at Grace Christian is much more relaxed in a way that allows students to be themselves and grow, while still upholding the "Christian" aspect of their teaching. My mental health was definitely negatively affected by WCA and there was a lot of corruption when I was there, but the teaching DEFINITELY prepared me for college. Just be aware that there is corruption anywhere you go and do your own research when choosing a school.... Read 56 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 891

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  18 reviews

Sophomore: At Neuse, my teachers make it a priority to engage individually with all of their students. This is important because the teachers are showing us that they really care about us as individuals and want to see us succeed. The teachers also go out of their way to help individual students, or offer them advice. The teachers at Neuse also attempt to instill Christian values into all of the students they teach, through both encouragement and discipline. Something I would like to see change at Neuse is the amount of opportunities available to students. We only have a few sports teams, and we only compete with other schools in a couple of academic competitions. I want to be able to compete on a tennis team as well as in science related competitions. We don't have an essay contest, and writing is something I strive at. I also want to see my fellow students have the opportunities they want. My school should also be more diverse, and the administration should be more involved.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 305

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  20 reviews

Senior: Friendship Christian School strives to push students to achieve a well-rounded high school experience. The teachers at Friendship emphasize cultivating a relationship with God. The only downside to this school is its small size, which limits the diversity of sports, clubs, and classes. This school's small size does however contribute to a tightly nit student body and welcoming environment.... Read 20 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 330

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  25 reviews

Alum: I attended Raleigh Christian Academy from birth until I graduated. Being at this school for such a long time I was able to really see the emphasis the school puts on faith, leading, and equipping every student. Every single teacher was and is willing to share their faith with the students and answer with the best of their abilities any questions students might have concerning faith. The teachers at RCA is one area that makes them stand out. The teachers have a genuine concern with helping the students. There were a few teachers that helped form me into the young man that I am today and I will forever remember that. The extra-activities outside of the class room are exceptional. The music and athletic programs are outstanding. The music department has dozens of 1st place finishes and even some national places. The athletics department is another amazing department that can empower students to become athletic leaders and teach them to balance school and athletics.... Read 25 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 309

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Durham, NC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.63 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: I’m a 2020 alumna of Mount Zion Christian Academy. I recently graduated with honors and was my class’s Valedictorian. The school is awesome, not perfect, but awesome. Not only do the teachers teach you from the books and all but they connect to your overall life. At Mount Zion, there’s no sugar coating but there’s complete transparency. You have a question about life itself guaranteed it will be answered. If you’re looking for a place to connect with God and learn more about Him, Mount Zion is your place.... Read 8 reviews

• grade B

• Students 204

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  13 reviews

Parent: Word of God Christian Academy promotes an environment suitable for spiritual growth and healthy learning. My grandson has been a student there for his high school years and have been able to excel and maintain honor roll status the entire time. The Academy also promotes a strong physical development for students by encouraging them to participate in school sports. Many of my grandson classmates have received offers to colleges and athletic scholarships. Our family has been extremely pleased with the Academy and the nurturing it provides to each member of the student body.... Read 13 reviews

• grade B

• Students 191

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Fuquay Varina, NC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: We are starting our second year at Hilltop and are so glad we found it a year ago when public schools went remote. Our child does not do well in a remote learning environment and with no choices out there, we started looking towards a private school. This school has been such a blessing and we plan on keeping our child in this school till she finishes. At first we were only keeping her in till the public schools figured out how to keep schools open but we feel she gets such a wonderful education here and one that isnt biased one way or other. They teach kids to think for themselves which is nice. I love how they teach all subjects biblically. Our child is thriving now and loves school again.... Read 6 reviews

• grade B

• Students 292

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• 1-11

• grade A

• Students 27

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• Durham, NC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Sophomore: If you are wanting a great education with a Biblical base, this is the place for you. The education you’ll get here is more than enough to prepare you for life, the teachers truly care about you, and you’ll be gently led to the Bible for all the answers!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 139

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Wake Forest, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Middle School Student: As a middle schooler who graduated from this school, I felt like my experience here was very good. At first, some kids will judge you for being the new kid but if you’re assertive towards them they will stop. The teachers at this school were kind and caring. The administrators were nice and responsible. Most of the students were fine and respectful. I really have no problems with this school expect for a few students and the size of the the building. The classrooms are pretty small for 20 students, but it does the job pretty well. This is a great place to go for elementary.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A

• Students 736

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Durham, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.45 out of 5  11 reviews

Parent: Duke School has given our children the best K-8th education we could have ever wished for! Our children have thrived academically in mathematics, writing and reading because of their Duke School education. Equally important, our children take responsibility for their own learning. They are also open to new opportunities and experiences. For example, our children have joined sports teams, math and debate teams, and investment groups in high school. They have excelled even at the national level in their activities because of the critical thinking and work ethic Duke School has instilled in them.... Read 11 reviews

• grade A

• Students 504

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1