For the 2025 school year, there are 76 magnet public preschools serving 37,255 students in North Carolina.
Learn more about how magnet schools work. The top ranked magnet public preschools in North Carolina are Highland Mill Montessori, Pearsontown Elementary School and Jeffreys Grove Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
North Carolina magnet public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Magnet Public Preschools in North Carolina (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Highland Mill Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3201 Clemson Ave
Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 343-5525
Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 343-5525
Grades: PK-6
| 331 students
Rank: #22.
Pearsontown Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4915 Barbee Road
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3964
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 560-3964
Grades: PK-5
| 740 students
Rank: #33.
Jeffreys Grove Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6119 Creedmoor Rd
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 881-4910
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 881-4910
Grades: PK-5
| 533 students
Rank: #44.
Farmington Woods Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1413 Hampton Valley Rd
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3469
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3469
Grades: PK-5
| 652 students
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Chantilly Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
701 Briar Creek Rd
Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 343-0692
Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 343-0692
Grades: PK-6
| 314 students
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
George Watts Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
700 Watts Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-3947
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-3947
Grades: PK-5
| 309 students
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Lincoln Heights Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1900 New Castle St
Charlotte, NC 28216
(980) 343-9442
Charlotte, NC 28216
(980) 343-9442
Grades: PK-6
| 204 students
Rank: #88.
The Downtown School
Magnet School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
601 N Cherry Street
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4125
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4125
Grades: PK-8
| 431 students
Rank: #99.
Park Road Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3701 Haven Dr
Charlotte, NC 28209
(980) 343-5830
Charlotte, NC 28209
(980) 343-5830
Grades: PK-6
| 506 students
Rank: #1010.
Hunter Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1018 E Davie St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7676
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7676
Grades: PK-5
| 630 students
Rank: #1111.
Combs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2001 Lorimer Rd
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4300
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4300
Grades: PK-5
| 635 students
Rank: #1212.
Barnette Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
13659 Beatties Ford Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
(980) 343-0372
Huntersville, NC 28078
(980) 343-0372
Grades: PK-5
| 817 students
Rank: #1313.
Morehead Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
909 Cobb Street
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3954
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 560-3954
Grades: PK-5
| 226 students
Rank: #1414.
Conn Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1220 Brookside Drive
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 856-7637
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 856-7637
Grades: PK-5
| 540 students
Rank: #1515.
Fuller Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
806 Calloway Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7625
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7625
Grades: PK-5
| 505 students
Rank: #1616.
Douglas Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
600 Ortega Rd
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 881-4894
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 881-4894
Grades: PK-5
| 513 students
Rank: #1717.
Stough Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4210 Edwards Mill Road
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 881-4950
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 881-4950
Grades: PK-5
| 540 students
Rank: #1818.
Joyner Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2300 Lowden St.
Raleigh, NC 27608
(919) 856-7650
Raleigh, NC 27608
(919) 856-7650
Grades: PK-5
| 515 students
Rank: #1919.
Fpg Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
101 Smith Level Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-6491
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-6491
Grades: PK-5
| 517 students
Rank: #2020.
Wiley Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 St. Mary's Street
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 856-7723
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 856-7723
Grades: PK-5
| 389 students
Rank: #2121.
Isaac Dickson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
125 Hill Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6800
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6800
Grades: PK-5
| 375 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Erwin Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3600 Williams Dairy Road
Greensboro, NC 27406
(336) 370-8151
Greensboro, NC 27406
(336) 370-8151
Grades: PK-5
| 196 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Lucy S. Herring Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
98 Sulphur Springs Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6600
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6600
Grades: PK-5
| 270 students
Rank: #2424.
Burton Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1500 Mathison Avenue
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-3908
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-3908
Grades: PK-5
| 294 students
Rank: #2525.
David D Jones Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
502 South Street
Greensboro, NC 27406
(336) 370-8230
Greensboro, NC 27406
(336) 370-8230
Grades: PK-5
| 689 students
Rank: #2626.
Kingswood Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
200 E. Johnson Street
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 460-3481
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 460-3481
Grades: PK-5
| 434 students
Rank: #2727.
Eastfield Global Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
170 Eastfield School Road
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3730
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-3730
Grades: PK-5
| 274 students
Rank: #2828.
Idlewild Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7101 Idlewild Rd
Charlotte, NC 28212
(980) 343-6411
Charlotte, NC 28212
(980) 343-6411
Grades: PK-5
| 869 students
Rank: #2929.
Lincoln Heights Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
307 Bridge St
Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
(919) 557-2587
Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
(919) 557-2587
Grades: PK-5
| 645 students
Rank: #30 - 3330. - 33.
Brooks Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
700 Northbrook Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 881-1350
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 881-1350
Grades: PK-5
| 438 students
Rank: #30 - 3330. - 33.
Ira B Jones Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
544 Kimberly Avenue
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 350-6700
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 350-6700
Grades: PK-5
| 377 students
Rank: #30 - 3330. - 33.
Poe Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
400 Peyton St
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 250-4777
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 250-4777
Grades: PK-5
| 292 students
Rank: #30 - 3330. - 33.
Powell Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1130 Marlborough Rd
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7737
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7737
Grades: PK-5
| 286 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
R N Harris Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1520 Cooper Street
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-3967
Durham, NC 27703
(919) 560-3967
Grades: PK-5
| 301 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Shamrock Gardens Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3301 Country Club Drive
Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 343-6440
Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 343-6440
Grades: PK-5
| 520 students
Show 41 more Magnet public schools in North Carolina (out of 76 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked magnet public preschools in North Carolina?
The top ranked magnet public preschools in North Carolina include Highland Mill Montessori, Pearsontown Elementary School and Jeffreys Grove Elementary School.
How many magnet public preschools are located in North Carolina?
76 magnet public preschools are located in North Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in North Carolina?
North Carolina magnet public preschools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
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