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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best North Carolina Alternative Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 81 alternative public schools serving 6,502 students in North Carolina.
The top-ranked alternative public schools in North Carolina are One Academy, Phoenix Academy High School and Stanly Academy Learning Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
North Carolina alternative public schools have an average math proficiency score of 15% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 20% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Schools in North Carolina (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
One Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
501 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Siler City, NC 27344
(919) 663-5899
Gr: 6-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Phoenix Academy High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
750 S Merritt Mill Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 918-2300
Gr: 8-12 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #33.
Stanly Academy Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1121 Austin St
Albemarle, NC 28001
(704) 961-4500
Gr: 8-12 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #44.
Davidson River School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
970 Ecusta Rd
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-9567
Gr: 6-12 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #55.
Performance Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4521 Weddington Road
Concord, NC 28027
(704) 260-6800
Gr: 6-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #66.
Career Readiness Academy At Mosley Plc
Alternative School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3702 Princess Place Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6161
Gr: 9-12 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Asbury Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
221 Salem Church Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-4766
Gr: 6-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Bridges School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
140 Vashti Dr
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808-3040
Gr: 6-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Central Davie Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
160 Martin Luther King Jr. Roa
Mocksville, NC 27028
(336) 751-5712
Gr: 3-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
North Whiteville Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
310 S Martin Luther King Jr Av
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 914-4161
Gr: 6-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Partnership Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
920 Corporate Drive
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245-4030
Gr: 9-12 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #7 - 127. - 12.
Shaw Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
18700 Old Wire Road
Laurinburg, NC 28352
(910) 276-0611
Gr: 6-12 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1313.
Dare Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
100 Veterans Drive
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 480-8888
Gr: 9-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1414.
The Coast
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1109 Old Ocean Highway
Bolivia, NC 28422
(910) 312-2780
Gr: 6-12 | 96 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1515.
Central Haywood High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
62 Joy Lane
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 627-9944
Gr: 9-12 | 63 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1616.
Community High School
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
235 Old Us 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-7734
Gr: 7-12 | 127 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1717.
Phillips High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1923 Milburnie Rd
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7710
Gr: 9-12 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1818.
Tar River Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
906 Hammond Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 451-2875
Gr: 9-12 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1919.
Ramsey Street High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
117 Quincy St
Fayetteville, NC 28301
(910) 437-5829
Gr: 9-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2020.
Durham's Performance Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
401 North Driver Street
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-9190
Gr: 9-12 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2121.
Alger B. Wilkins High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1429 Skibo Road
Fayetteville, NC 28303
(910) 864-5438
Gr: 9-12 | 159 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2222.
Jackson Community School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3770 Skyland Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-4328
Gr: 5-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2323.
Henderson County Career Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
300 East Campus Drive
Flat Rock, NC 28731
(828) 697-4629
Gr: 6-12 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2424.
Pender Innovative Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1886 Nc Hwy 133
Rocky Point, NC 28457
(910) 789-6073
Gr: K-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2525.
Stoner-thomas School
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
215 County School Road
Lexington, NC 27292
(336) 248-5421
Gr: K-12 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Horizons Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
332 Greenhaven Dr. Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Gr: K-5 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
The Score Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
401 Moss Street
Reidsville, NC 27320
(336) 634-3209
Gr: K-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2828.
Yadkin Success Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
733 East Main Street
Yadkinville, NC 27055
(336) 551-1166
Gr: 6-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2929.
River Oaks Middle School
Alternative School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4700 New Bern Ave
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 231-5600
Gr: 6-8 | 7 students Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #3030.
Stewart Creek High School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2701-f Freedom Dr
Charlotte, NC 28208
(980) 500-3731
Gr: 9-12 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
H L Trigg Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1004 Parkview Drive
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
(252) 335-1765
Gr: 6-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Pruette Scale Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
900 English Road
High Point, NC 27262
(336) 878-5380
Gr: 6-12 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #33 - 3533. - 35.
Bartram Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
158 Union School Rd
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 369-1277
Gr: 9-12 | 102 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #33 - 3533. - 35.
Central Wake High School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1425 Rock Quarry Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 521-5067
Gr: 9-12 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 37:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #33 - 3533. - 35.
The Oaks Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
The Oaks Academy, 4700 East Us
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6775
Gr: 6-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Show 46 more Alternative public schools in North Carolina (out of 81 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public schools in North Carolina?
The top-ranked alternative public schools in North Carolina include One Academy, Phoenix Academy High School and Stanly Academy Learning Center.
How many alternative public schools are located in North Carolina?
81 alternative public schools are located in North Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in North Carolina?
North Carolina alternative public schools minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

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