Best Elementary Schools in the Raleigh, NC Area

Are you looking for information on the top public elementary schools in the Raleigh area? Below you'll find rankings on some of the best Raleigh-area elementary schools including Davis Drive Elementary School, Mills Park Elementary School, Green Hope Elementary School, and Morrisville Elementary School. We also have data to help you compare such top traditional public elementary schools to the area's best charter schools including Quest Academy, Magellan Charter School, Endeavor Charter School, and Triangle Math and Science Academy.

The list below is not meant be used as a definitive guide to which Raleigh-area elementary school would be best for any individual child. For schools that are close to one another in rankings, differences in available data are in most cases very small.

Top Elementary Schools in the Raleigh Area

Rank	School Name	City	School Type	Grades Served
1	Quest Academy	Raleigh, NC	Charter	K-8
2	Magellan Charter School	Raleigh, NC	Charter	3-8
3	Davis Drive Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	K-5
4	Mills Park Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
5	Green Hope Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
6	Endeavor Charter School	Wake Forest, NC	Charter	K-8
7	Morrisville Elementary School	Morrisville, NC	Regular	K-5
8	Triangle Math and Science Academy	Cary, NC	Charter	K-11
9	Cedar Fork Elementary School	Morrisville, NC	Regular	PK-5
10	Highcroft Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
11	Olive Chapel Elementary School	Apex, NC	Regular	PK-5
12	Sycamore Creek Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
13	Holly Grove Elementary School	Holly Springs, NC	Regular	PK-5
14	Holly Springs Elementary School	Holly Springs, NC	Regular	PK-5
15	Willow Springs Elementary School	Willow Spring, NC	Regular	K-5
16	Sterling Montessori Academy	Morrisville, NC	Charter	PK-8
17	Weatherstone Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
18	Baucom Elementary School	Apex, NC	Regular	PK-5
19	Pleasant Union Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
20	Alston Ridge Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
21	Jones Dairy Elementary School	Wake Forest, NC	Regular	PK-5
22	Heritage Elementary School	Wake Forest, NC	Regular	PK-5
23	Lacy Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
24	Brassfield Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	K-5
25	Laurel Park Elementary School	Apex, NC	Regular	PK-5
26	Holly Ridge Elementary School	Holly Springs, NC	Regular	PK-5
27	West Lake Elementary School	Apex, NC	Regular	PK-5
28	Wake Forest Charter Academy	Wake Forest, NC	Charter	K-7
29	Franklin Academy	Wake Forest, NC	Charter	K-12
30	Turner Creek Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
31	Carpenter Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
32	Farmington Woods Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
33	Exploris Middle School	Raleigh, NC	Charter	K-8
34	Envision Science Academy	Wake Forest, NC	Charter	K-8
35	Penny Road Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	K-5
36	Oak Grove Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
37	Cleveland Elementary School	Clayton, NC	Regular	PK-5
38	Cardinal Charter School	Cary, NC	Charter	K-8
39	Jeffreys Grove Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
40	Middle Creek Elementary School	Apex, NC	Regular	PK-5
41	Northwoods Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
42	Riverwood Elementary School	Clayton, NC	Regular	PK-5
43	Powhatan Elementary School	Clayton, NC	Regular	PK-5
44	Underwood Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	K-5
45	Cary Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
46	Brooks Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
47	Herbert Akins Rd Elementary School	Fuquay-Varina, NC	Regular	PK-5
48	East Wake Academy	Zebulon, NC	Charter	K-12
49	Olds Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
50	Casa Esperanza Montessori Charter School	Raleigh, NC	Charter	PK-8
51	Banks Rd Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
52	Briarcliff Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
53	Rand Road Elementary School	Garner, NC	Regular	PK-5
54	Combs Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
55	Root Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
56	Joyner Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
57	Apex Elementary School	Apex, NC	Regular	PK-5
58	North Ridge Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
59	Dixon Road Elementary School	Willow Spring, NC	Regular	PK-5
60	North Forest Pines Drive Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
61	Leesville Road Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	K-5
62	York Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
63	Rolesville Elementary School	Rolesville, NC	Regular	PK-5
64	Ballentine Elementary School	Fuquay Varina, NC	Regular	PK-5
65	Fuller Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	K-5
66	Forest Pines Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
67	Lead Mine Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	K-5
68	Yates Mill Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
69	Hunter Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
70	Washington Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	K-5
71	Fuquay-Varina Elementary School	Fuquay-Varina, NC	Regular	PK-5
72	Edward Best Elementary School	Louisburg, NC	Regular	PK-5
73	Sanford Creek Elementary School	Rolesville, NC	Regular	PK-5
74	Adams Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
75	Salem Elementary School	Apex, NC	Regular	PK-5
76	River Dell Elementary School	Clayton, NC	Regular	PK-5
77	Reedy Creek Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	K-5
78	Durant Road Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
79	McGee's Crossroads Elementary School	Angier, NC	Regular	PK-5
80	Youngsville Elementary School	Youngsville, NC	Regular	K-5
81	Richland Creek Elementary	Wake Forest, NC	Regular	PK-5
82	Neuse Charter School	Smithfield, NC	Charter	K-12
83	Long Mill Elementary School	Youngsville, NC	Regular	PK-5
84	West View Elementary School	Garner, NC	Regular	PK-5
85	West Clayton Elementary School	Clayton, NC	Regular	PK-5
86	Wake Forest Elementary School	Wake Forest, NC	Regular	PK-5
87	Polenta Elementary School	Garner, NC	Regular	PK-5
88	Brier Creek Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
89	Vance Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
90	Harris Creek Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
91	Glendale-Kenly Elementary School	Kenly, NC	Regular	PK-5
92	Laurel Mill Elementary School	Louisburg, NC	Regular	PK-5
93	East Clayton Elementary School	Clayton, NC	Regular	PK-5
94	Wiley Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	K-5
95	Hilburn Drive Academy	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-8
96	Kingswood Elementary School	Cary, NC	Regular	PK-5
97	Wakefield Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
98	Micro-Pine Level Elementary School	Pine Level, NC	Regular	PK-5
99	Swift Creek Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	K-5
100	Dillard Drive Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
101	Bunn Elementary School	Bunn, NC	Regular	K-5
102	Corinth-Holders Elementary School	Zebulon, NC	Regular	PK-5
103	Princeton Elementary School	Princeton, NC	Regular	PK-5
104	Coopers Elementary School	Elm City, NC	Regular	PK-5
105	Carver Elementary School	Wendell, NC	Regular	PK-5
106	River Bend Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
107	Bailey Elementary School	Bailey, NC	Regular	PK-5
108	Conn Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
109	Stough Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
110	Torchlight Academy	Raleigh, NC	Charter	K-7
111	Douglas Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
112	Four Oaks Elementary School	Four Oaks, NC	Regular	PK-5
113	Wakelon Elementary School	Zebulon, NC	Regular	PK-5
114	Lockhart Elementary School	Knightdale, NC	Regular	PK-5
115	Royal Elementary School	Louisburg, NC	Regular	PK-5
116	Nashville Elementary School	Nashville, NC	Regular	PK-5
117	Louisburg Elementary School	Louisburg, NC	Regular	PK-5
118	Wilson's Mills Elementary School	Wilson's Mills, NC	Regular	K-5
119	South Smithfield Elementary School	Smithfield, NC	Regular	PK-5
120	Meadow School	Benson, NC	Regular	PK-8
121	Aversboro Elementary School	Garner, NC	Regular	PK-5
122	Fox Road Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	K-5
123	Zebulon Elementary School	Zebulon, NC	Regular	PK-5
124	Swift Creek Elementary School	Whitakers, NC	Regular	PK-5
125	Partnership Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	K-5
126	Vandora Springs Elementary School	Garner, NC	Regular	PK-5
127	Crosscreek Charter School	Louisburg, NC	Charter	K-8
128	Wildwood Forest Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
129	Forestville Road Elementary School	Knightdale, NC	Regular	PK-5
130	Cedar Grove Elementary School	Nashville, NC	Regular	PK-5
131	Hope Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Charter	K-5
132	Lynn Road Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
133	Knightdale Elementary School	Knightdale, NC	Regular	PK-5
134	Brentwood Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
135	Englewood Elementary School	Rocky Mount, NC	Regular	3-5
136	Powell Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
137	Wendell Elementary School	Wendell, NC	Regular	K-5
138	Green Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
139	Wilburn Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
140	PreEminent Charter School	Raleigh, NC	Charter	K-8
141	East Garner Elementary School	Garner, NC	Regular	PK-5
142	Baileywick Road Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
143	Benson Elementary School	Benson, NC	Regular	PK-4
144	Timber Drive Elementary School	Garner, NC	Regular	PK-5
145	Lake Myra Elementary School	Wendell, NC	Regular	PK-5
146	Franklinton Elementary School	Franklinton, NC	Regular	PK-5
147	Baskerville Elementary School	Rocky Mount, NC	Regular	K-5
148	Spring Hope Elementary School	Spring Hope, NC	Regular	PK-5
149	Lincoln Heights Elementary School	Fuquay-Varina, NC	Regular	PK-5
150	Cooper Elementary School	Clayton, NC	Regular	PK-5
151	Hodge Road Elementary School	Knightdale, NC	Regular	PK-5
152	Benson Middle School	Benson, NC	Regular	5-8
153	Poe Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
154	Selma Elementary School	Selma, NC	Regular	PK-4
155	Walnut Creek Elmentary Sschool	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
156	Barwell Road Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
157	Benvenue Elementary School	Rocky Mount, NC	Regular	K-5
158	Middlesex Elementary School	Middlesex, NC	Regular	PK-5
159	Creech Road Elementary School	Garner, NC	Regular	PK-5
160	Rocky Mount Prep	Rocky Mount, NC	Charter	K-12
161	Smith Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
162	West Smithfield Elementary School	Smithfield, NC	Regular	PK-5
163	Millbrook Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
164	M B Hubbard Elementary School	Battleboro, NC	Regular	K-5
165	D S Johnson Elementary School	Rocky Mount, NC	Regular	3-5
166	Selma Middle School	Selma, NC	Regular	5-8
167	Bugg Elementary School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	PK-5
168	Mount Vernon School	Raleigh, NC	Regular	K-8
169	Williford Elementary School	Rocky Mount, NC	Regular	PK-5

Rankings for the best elementary schools in the Raleigh area were created independently by Carolina School Hub. The test data for this site was derived from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and South Carolina Department of Education.

You can click on a specific school name above for more information on elementary school test scores, student data and more.

Choosing an Elementary School in the Raleigh Area

When comparing regular Raleigh-area elementary schools to charter and magnet schools, one should keep in mind the differences between charter schools, magnet schools and traditional public schools.

Magnet schools are in most cases alternative public schools that offer a specialized curriculum. At the highest level, North and South Carolina magnet schools and traditional elementary schools tend to be managed by the same entity - the county school superintendent's office. Magnet schools normally can accept students from anywhere in the county in which they are located, and often limit the acceptance pool through a lottery system.

Charter schools, on the other hand, are each independently managed. They tend to accept students not only from the county in which they're located, but surrounding counties as well. Like magnets, charters tend to use a lottery-based acceptance method.

Regular elementary schools are sometimes called "zoned schools," "neighborhood schools" or "zip code schools." This is because they accept students from a limited geographical area - such as a town or a specific set of subdivisions. Regular schools do not tend to use a lottery system. Regular elementary schools are the most common kinds of schools in North and South Carolina.

Which Elementary Schools are Covered in the Raleigh Area

We hope you find the ratings and other information on elementary schools in the Raleigh area to be useful. Elementary Schools on this page were drawn from the following counties:

• Wake County, NC
• Johnston County, NC
• Nash County, NC
• Franklin County, NC