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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Cities For Public Schools in North Carolina (2026)

The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a town or city which have placed in the top 10% of all schools statewide.
A school's overall rank is based on its combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Schools are ranked and compared within their own state only.
Statewide Range: 20% 69% Avg. Statewide: 37%

Top-Ranked Cities With Best Public Schools in North Carolina (2026)

City
% of Schools in
Top 10% Statewide
Top-Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #11.
Waxhaw, NC
69%
(9 out of 13)
Rank: #22.
Wake Forest, NC
53%
(8 out of 15)
Rank: #33.
Morrisville, NC
50%
(3 out of 6)
Rank: #44.
Cary, NC
47%
(15 out of 32)
Rank: #55.
Matthews, NC
40%
(6 out of 15)
Rank: #66.
Apex, NC
38%
(9 out of 24)
Rank: #77.
Holly Springs, NC
36%
(4 out of 11)
Rank: #88.
Hillsborough, NC
33%
(4 out of 12)
Rank: #99.
Chapel Hill, NC
27%
(6 out of 22)
Rank: #1010.
Hendersonville, NC
21%
(3 out of 14)
Rank: #11-1211 - 12.
Concord, NC
20%
(7 out of 35)
Rank: #11-1211 - 12.
Mooresville, NC
20%
(4 out of 20)

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Did You Know?

Testing rankings and test scores should not be compared across states - there is large variation in how states define "proficiency" on their standardized tests. In states with the lowest expectations, "proficiency" can be several grade levels below proficiency in states with the highest expectations.