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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Raleigh Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 104 public schools serving 68,813 students in Raleigh, NC (there are 58 private schools, serving 14,545 private students). 83% of all K-12 students in Raleigh, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Raleigh, NC are Quest Academy, Raleigh Charter High School and Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Raleigh, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Raleigh have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Raleigh, NC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Quest Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
10908 Strickland Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Gr: K-8 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1307 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Gr: 9-12 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #33.
Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
567 East Hargett St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 664-5644
Gr: 6-13 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #44.
Magellan Charter
Charter School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
9324 Baileywick Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 844-0277
Gr: 3-8 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #55.
Wake Early College Of Health And Science
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2901 Holston Lane
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 212-5800
Gr: 9-13 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #66.
Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
301 Ashe Avenue, Governor More
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 508-9088
Gr: 6-13 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #77.
Vernon Malone College And Career Academy
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2200 S Wilmington St
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 856-8119
Gr: 9-13 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #88.
Longleaf School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
322 Chapanoke Road
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 896-8164
Gr: 9-12 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #99.
Jeffreys Grove Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6119 Creedmoor Rd
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 881-4910
Gr: PK-5 | 543 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1010.
Pleasant Union Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1900 Pleasant Union Church Roa
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 870-4230
Gr: PK-5 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1111.
Sycamore Creek Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
10921 Leesville Rd
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 841-4333
Gr: PK-5 | 778 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1212.
Pine Hollow Middle School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5365 Bartram Place
Raleigh, NC 27617
(919) 694-8880
Gr: 6-8 | 776 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1313.
Underwood Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1614 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27608
(919) 856-7663
Gr: K-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1414.
Abbotts Creek Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
9900 Durant Road
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 694-0555
Gr: PK-5 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1515.
Root Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3202 Northampton Street
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 881-4940
Gr: PK-5 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1616.
Leesville Road High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8410 Pride Way
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 870-4250
Gr: 9-12 | 2,411 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1717.
Leesville Road Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8402 Pride Way
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 870-4200
Gr: K-5 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1818.
Moore Square Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
301 South Person Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 664-5737
Gr: 6-8 | 594 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1919.
Lacy Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2001 Lake Boone Trail
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 881-4920
Gr: PK-5 | 695 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #2020.
Olds Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
204 Dixie Trail
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 856-7699
Gr: PK-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2121.
Washington Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1000 Fayetteville St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7960
Gr: K-5 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2222.
Athens Drive High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1420 Athens Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4050
Gr: 9-12 | 2,156 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2323.
North Forest Pines Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11501 Forest Pines Drive
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 570-2220
Gr: PK-5 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #2424.
Enloe High School
Magnet School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
128 Clarendon Crescent
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7918
Gr: 9-12 | 2,643 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #2525.
Hunter Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1018 E Davie St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7676
Gr: PK-5 | 658 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2626.
Ligon Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
706 E Lenoir St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7929
Gr: 6-8 | 959 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2727.
Needham Broughton High School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
723 Saint Marys St
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 856-7810
Gr: 9-12 | 2,153 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2828.
Wakefield High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2200 Wakefield Pines Drive
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 562-3600
Gr: 9-12 | 2,065 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #2929.
Leesville Road Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8406 Pride Way
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 870-4141
Gr: 6-8 | 795 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #3030.
Carnage Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1425 Carnage Dr
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7600
Gr: 6-8 | 924 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #3131.
Combs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2001 Lorimer Rd
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4300
Gr: PK-5 | 695 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #3232.
Millbrook High School
Magnet School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2201 Spring Forest Rd
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 850-8787
Gr: 9-12 | 2,498 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #3333.
Martin Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1701 Ridge Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 881-4970
Gr: 6-8 | 1,011 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #3434.
Sanderson High School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5500 Dixon Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 881-4800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,648 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #3535.
Hilburn Drive Academy
(Math: 60% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7100 Hilburn Drive
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 571-6800
Gr: PK-8 | 596 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Show 69 more public schools in Raleigh, NC (out of 104 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Raleigh, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Raleigh, NC include Quest Academy, Raleigh Charter High School and Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy.
How many public schools are located in Raleigh?
104 public schools are located in Raleigh.
What percentage of students in Raleigh go to public school?
83% of all K-12 students in Raleigh are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Raleigh?
Raleigh public schools minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Raleigh are often viewed compared to one another?

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