The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a county 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: 22%
32%
Avg. Statewide: 27%
Top-Ranked Counties With Best Public Schools in North Carolina (2026)
County
% of Schools in
Top 10% Statewide
Top 10% Statewide
Top-Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #11.
32%
(19 out of 59)
(19 out of 59)
- Central Academy Of Technology And Arts
Rank: #7 of 2,617 (Top 1%)
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%) - Union County Early College
Rank: #9 of 2,617 (Top 1%)
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%) - Weddington High School
Rank: #11 of 2,617 (Top 1%)
(Math: 94% | Reading: 93%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Union County, NC Schools
Rank: #22.
28%
(11 out of 40)
(11 out of 40)
- Chapel Hill High School
Rank: #59 of 2,617 (Top 5%)
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85%) - East Chapel Hill High School
Rank: #87 of 2,617 (Top 5%)
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 86%) - Carrboro High School
Rank: #97 of 2,617 (Top 5%)
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-84%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Orange County, NC Schools
Rank: #33.
22%
(54 out of 244)
(54 out of 244)
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