Charlotte Elementary School Named Top in North Carolina in New U.S. News Rankings

U.S. News & World Report dropped its 2026 Best Elementary and Middle Schools rankings on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy in Charlotte grabbed the No. 1 spot among nearly 1,100 elementary schools across North Carolina. The charter school also snagged No. 2 among middle schools statewide.

The rankings showcase schools that help students succeed and create strong learning spaces for all kids. "These rankings offer communities and families insights into schools dedicated to preparing students for future success," said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News, in a news release sent to The Charlotte Observer.

More than a dozen Charlotte-area schools made the top 50 statewide. Providence Spring Academy in Charlotte ranked No. 5. Pine Lake Preparatory in Mooresville came in at No. 8. Rea View Elementary in Waxhaw and Weddington Elementary in Matthews rounded out the top performers at No. 10 and No. 13. These stats, and those that follow in this article, come from the U.S. News & World Report.

In the Raleigh area, White Oak Elementary in Apex led all Triangle schools at No. 3 statewide for elementary schools. Green Hope Elementary in Cary followed at No. 6, with Mills Park Elementary in Cary taking the No. 11 spot.

For middle schools, Marvin Ridge Middle School in Waxhaw earned the No. 3 ranking statewide. The Brawley School in Mooresville placed No. 4. Mills Park Middle in Cary landed at No. 6. Weddington Middle in Matthews and Oakwood Middle School in Statesville finished at No. 7 and No. 8, respectively.

Triangle Math and Science Academy in Cary performed well in both categories. It ranked No. 4 among elementary charter schools and No. 5 among middle school charters. Peak Charter Academy in Apex took the No. 9 spot for middle schools, while Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy in Raleigh came in at No. 11.

Charter schools get taxpayer money but don't have to follow all the rules traditional public schools do. All students who are eligible to attend public school in the state can apply to these schools. When too many students want in, the schools hold lotteries to decide who gets spots, according to the Department of Public Instruction.

More than 200 charter schools operate across the state. Focus Academy Charter School will open next year in Southeast Raleigh before moving to Garner, after the N.C. Charter Schools Review Board approved the application this month.

U.S. News figured out each school's scores by looking at things like math and reading skills and how students did on state tests. The method also considered students' backgrounds and learning in core subjects.

State test data determines how most elementary and middle schools fare in these rankings, editors wrote. The results came from public U.S. Department of Education data.

Each school received a zero to 100 score showing where it ranked within the state on a percentile basis. Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy moved up from the No. 2 position from last year to claim the top elementary spot.

Lake Norman Charter in Huntersville ranked No. 8 for elementary charters and No. 16 for middle school charters. Pine Lake Preparatory placed No. 2 among elementary charter schools and No. 22 for middle schools.