One aspect to consider when buying a house is the quality of the public schools your children will attend. You want the best for your kids, and that includes a school where they feel safe and get a rigorous education. For home buyers, that means finding a home in a top North Carolina school district.

Finding a home in a quality NC school district isn’t as hard as you think. With over 2,000 public schools and 216 charter schools scattered across over 117 school districts, you’re sure to find a quality home in a highly-rated public school system. To help you get started, here are 8 of the best NC school districts for buying a house.

Mooresville Graded School District – Mooresville, NC

According to the North Carolina school report cards, Mooresville Graded School District is the top public school district in the entire state.

This is by no means the biggest school district in the state, but its strong community involvement helps it rise to the top. Mooresville Graded School District is a tight-knit system of schools that consistently rank in the top 10 for academic achievement across the state. With an enrollment of a little over 6,000 students, Mooresville Graded School District features 3 elementary schools, 2 intermediate schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.

The school district is technology-driven, with all students in grades 4-12 receiving a Macbook they can take home. Other grade levels have MacBook and iPads for use in the classroom. It also has one of the states’ highest graduation rates and college readiness scores.

The City of Mooresville is a short drive north of Charlotte in Iredell County, North Carolina. Not only does it have a great school district, but it’s one of the best places to live in the Tar Heel State. With about 50,000 residents, homebuyers will find a combination of small-town charm with big-city connections. Being one of the fastest-growing parts of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg, new amenities and communities are being added.

Outdoor activities are part of the attraction of living in Mooresville. Lake Norman is at its doorstep, making it an excellent choice for anyone interested in a lakefront property or other waterfront home. It has a state park on the lake, mountain bike trails, and golf courses. Other recreation includes a rock climbing gym and go-kart racing. Beyond the amazing school system and Lake Norman, Mooresville has a booming craft beer scene and beautiful foothills scenery.

 

Chapel-Hill Carrboro City Schools

None of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools were designated low performing in 2023. Twelve of its 21 schools were above average, with three earning the highest marks.

Students benefit from a low student-to-teacher ratio, with class sizes well under the North Carolina average. The teachers are also some of the best in the state, with 46% ranking as “highly effective.” They work at one alternative school, three high schools, four middle schools, and eleven elementary schools. Uniquely, the school district also has a special school for kids being treated at UNC Hospital.

Over 2,000 students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, an impressive figure in a school district with just over 11,000 students. Even more impressive was the student performance on state testing. Around 42% of its students earned a Level 5 on the state’s science testing. Another 20% were Level 5 in English II and 25% in Mathematics.

Chapel Hill-Carboro City Schools has invested heavily in technology for over a decade. It also has award-winning arts programs for creative students. Students have multiple pathways for learning, from dual language immersion programs to dual enrollment in college.

The school district is in Orange County, which is very close to Research Triangle Park and the main campus of the University of North Carolina. Residents enjoy a rich array of cultural events, sports, and educational opportunities. Beautiful green spaces, parks, and trails are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. The charming Chapel Hill downtown has farmer’s markets and holiday festivals. It’s a small town charm beside a major city with some of the state’s best healthcare and education opportunities for all. 

Union County Public Schools

The state’s sixth-largest school system is right outside Charlotte, in beautiful Union County. The 52 schools of Union County Public Schools consistently trend towards high achievement. In 2023, the school report cards showed 14 were “A” schools and 14 were “B.” About half of the school district’s schools were above the state average! Only seven earned low-performing designations.

Union County exceeded state averages in high school graduation rates, English Language Learner growth, and ACT performance. Among its academic programs, the IB program has a high participation rate. Known for its challenging curriculum, about 91% of its students passed the International Baccalaureate (IB) exam. Another 92% graduated on time. Overall, it ranked second in the state for student reading, math, and science proficiency.

The school system also has pathways for dual language immersion, early college, and specialized academies in Sustainable Energy and AgTech.

Union County covers a large area southeast of central Charlotte. Some of its communities are Charlotte suburbs, like Indian Trail and Weddington. The central town is Monroe, a thriving small town with a downtown undergoing revitalization by hosting car shows, antique fairs, and live music nights. So, even though this is North Carolina’s sixth-largest school district, much of the county is rural or made of small, tight-knit communities.

Asheville City Schools – Asheville, NC

Southeast of Watauga County and Boone sits Asheville, NC. Asheville is by far the most populous city in the mountains of WNC and offers some of the best public schools in the entire region. Asheville City Schools (ACS) are separate from the Buncombe County Schools where the city of Asheville is located. To attend ACS, you’ll need to live in Asheville city limits and be located within the school district.

Here’s a quick look at Asheville City Schools (ACS):

• 10 schools (1 high school)
• About 5,000 students
• Higher than state average participation in advanced courses
• An impressive 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio
• 93% of full-time teachers have 3+ years of experience teaching

These are all attractive reasons to consider Asheville City Schools for your kid’s education. Asheville’s housing market is also exploding right now as more and more people migrate to the city and surrounding areas.

Currently, there are over 640 homes for sale in Asheville, NC. Asheville is known for its gorgeous mountain scenery and bustling nightlife. Lovers of outdoor activities, craft beer microbreweries, dining, and shopping will love Asheville and its surrounding neighborhoods.

Wake County Public Schools

Welcome to one of North Carolina’s largest school districts. Overseeing the education of over 150,000 young minds is a challenging task. Wake County Schools does it and maintains a high standard for its almost 200 schools.

In the 2023 school report cards, it managed to have 21 “A” and 72 “B” schools. Only 42 did not meet performance standards.

Around 90% of its high school students graduated on time. These students took rigorous college preparation classes, with 17,156 registered in AP classes. Students particularly shone in science, where 27% achieved Level 5 in the state testing. Another 37% earned Level 4.

Families have incredible diversity in their school experience. Opt for a year-round education calendar or a more traditional calendar. The district’s size enables it to run specialized magnet schools at every level with themes in art, language immersion, IB, environmental studies, engineering, and medical science.

Wake County is North Carolina’s most populated county, with over 1.1 million people. Raleigh is at its core. The center of state government means locals have vital cultural sites in North Carolina. The suburban cities include Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs, some of the state’s fastest-growing communities. Economically, it is a powerhouse region with access to exceptional healthcare facilities, universities, and world leaders in research and technology.

Carteret County Public Schools

Carteret County Public Schools oversees over 7,000 students at 18 schools. Incredibly, no school scored below a “C” in 2023. In fact, 12 of its schools were “B” or better. Around 62% of high school students scored “19” or better on the ACT, while 63% participated in advanced coursework or career prep programs. In state testing, it outperformed the state in reading and math with more level 3, 4, and 5 scorers.

Where is Carteret County? Look to the “Crystal Coast,” a beautiful stretch of North Carolina where stunning beaches, clear waters, and abundant marine life lure visitors and residents. Locals have incredible opportunities for boating, fishing, and water sports, thanks to the county’s prime location along the Atlantic Ocean and the Bogue Sound. Be charmed by the historic towns of Beaufort and Morehead City, which feature waterfronts, unique shops, and excellent seafood restaurants. The local community is tight-knit and welcoming, with numerous festivals, events, and cultural activities that celebrate the area’s rich maritime heritage.

Polk County Schools

Another small district, Polk County’s seven public schools, scored a “C” or better in the 2023 school report cards. Over 205 students enrolled in North Carolina’s Career & College Promise pathway–about 78% of eligible students—and those high schoolers also scored above the North Carolina average in ACT testing.

This rural school district has just 2,200 students enrolled. Its focus is on community-minded education, and there are low student-teacher ratios at every level. At the upper levels, students can choose between high school and the early college program for their secondary education.

If you dream of mountain living, Polk County could be the place to find it. It’s on the foothills of the mountains and borders Upstate South Carolina. Interstate 26 connects it to Henderson and Asheville. Get to know your neighborhoods with small-town living, as only about 20,000 people live in the whole county. At its center is Columbus, NC. Most of the county is rural lands with waterfalls, hiking, and mountain biking trails.

Haywood County Schools – Waynesville, NC

Another of the best school districts for buying a house belongs to Haywood County Schools (HCS) headquartered in Waynesville, NC. Located on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, Haywood County Schools are one of the best in the state for several reasons. Athletics, academics and community support are all staples of HCS.

Let’s look at what Haywood County Schools offer families:

• 15 schools with 3 high schools (unprecedented)
• 6,700 students countywide
• Below state average kindergarten class sizes (13 compared to 15)
• Nearly 90% 4-year graduation rates

Perhaps the most impressive stat for Haywood County Schools is that their students regularly test higher than the state average across core competencies such as math and reading. But, having smaller than average kindergarten class sizes is also a big deal for anyone with toddlers looking for a home in the mountains.

Watauga County Schools – Boone, NC

The fifth spot on our list takes you back to the mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC) to Watauga County Schools (WCS) headquartered in Boone, NC. Watauga County and Boone are rural locations home to beautiful mountain views and Appalachian State University.

Here’s a fast breakdown of Watauga County Schools:

• 10 schools (1 high school)
• 4,432 students
• 92% 4-year graduation rate
• Top 5 in the state for end-of-grade (EOG) test scores across subjects
• WCS Ranks #1 in the state for 7th and 8th-grade EOG reading scores

The list of accomplishments for WCS goes on from here. The school system is supported by a dedicated community of teachers and parents. Watauga and Boone are also excellent places to live for anyone interested in laid-back mountain life. With over 150 homes currently listed for sale in Boone, there’s no shortage of options, either.

Newton Conover City Schools – Newton, NC

The eigth spot on our list goes to Newton-Conover City Schools (N-CCS) headquartered in Newton, NC. The N-CCS school system is one of the top districts in the state of North Carolina for several reasons. Although N-CCS test scores could certainly be better, those numbers aren’t always reflective of quality school districts.

Here’s a small glimpse into Newton-Conover City Schools:

• 7 schools
• 2,888 student enrollment
• 57% minority enrollment (most diverse district in NC)
• 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio
• 94% 4-year graduation rates

N-CCS is a small yet effective school system with plenty of appeal for teachers, students and families alike. In fact, N-CCS is consistently ranked in the top 10 for best school systems for teachers in North Carolina. One of the reasons N-CCS is such an attractive district for teachers is Newton, NC and the surrounding Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metropolitan area.

Located in the foothills of North Carolina, Newton, NC, offers a perfect blend of suburban living with natural scenery and outdoor quality of life. Currently, there are 124 homes for sale in Newton, NC, with an average listing price of $249K.

Best School Districts in North Carolina

These school districts have consistently shown high performance by testing and other indicators. However, they’re by no means the only high-performing school districts in the state. And, just because a district didn’t make the cut doesn’t mean its individual schools lack for quality education. For example, Gaston County had the state’s best high school in 2023, the Highland School of Technology. This school regularly scores top marks.

At EZ Home Search, we understand the importance of providing your kids with a quality education. Register for your free EZ Home Search account today and you’ll never miss out on the latest real estate happenings from around the Carolinas and beyond.

Thinking of moving to North Carolina? Check out the EZ Home Search North Carolina blog for more tips on finding the perfect NC home to meet your family’s needs and lifestyle preferences.