Private Schools in
Wake County Schools

Compared to the local public schools, where the student body was predominantly white, private schools in Wake County Schools had a much higher share of such students during the 2021–22 school year.

Additionally, the private school student body had less racial diversity than the public schools.

Private Schools in Wake County Schools’ Boundaries
Wake County Schools

White
Black
Hisp.
Asian Am.
Am. Ind. / Ala. Nat.
Haw. / Pac. Isl.
Multi.
Not spec.

Source: Private School Survey, Common Core of Data (2021–22)

Find a Private School in Wake County Schools’ Boundaries

Since 2017, 66 private schools located within Wake County Schools’ boundaries have responded to the Private School Survey at least once. Use the search bar to quickly find a specific school by name, or click on “Use Your Current Location” to discover schools near you. Explore the map to see all schools in the area. Marker colors indicate the largest racial group of students at each school in its latest survey response.

Demographics Over Time

: Private Schools
: Public Schools

Religious Orientation

Religious orientation reflects a school’s religious orientation or affiliation.

Religious Orientation	Count
Nonsectarian	30
Christian	11
Roman Catholic	9
Baptist	4
Episcopal	3

School Type

School type reflects a private school’s classification, which can indicate specific approaches or academic focus.

School Type	Count
Regular elementary or secondary	47
Montessori	7
Special education	5
Special program emphasis	4
Early childhood/day care center	3

Private Schools in Wake County Schools’ Boundaries

School	Grades	Religion	Enrollment	Mostly …	Racial Difference*	Teachers	Founded	Type
Cardinal Gibbons High School	9th–12th	Roman Catholic	1,577	White	35%	206	1909	Regular elementary or secondary
North Raleigh Christian Academy	PK–12th	Christian	1,512	White	45%	93		Regular elementary or secondary
Ravenscroft School	PK–12th	Nonsectarian	1,197	White	25%	150	1862	Regular elementary or secondary
Wake Christian Academy	KG–12th	Christian	897	White	42%	70	1966	Regular elementary or secondary
Cary Christian School	KG–12th	Christian	812	White	29%	61		Regular elementary or secondary
Cary Academy	6th–12th	Nonsectarian	784	White	1%	89		Regular elementary or secondary
Grace Christian School	KG–12th	Christian	762	White	36%	60	1982	Regular elementary or secondary
Grace Christian School	KG–12th	Christian	713	White	34%	58		Regular elementary or secondary
The Franciscan School	KG–8th	Roman Catholic	658	White	33%	44	1990	Regular elementary or secondary
St. David’s School	PK–12th	Episcopal	608	White	44%	73	1972	Regular elementary or secondary
Thales Academy Apex K-5	KG–5th	Nonsectarian	560	White	3%	27		Regular elementary or secondary
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School	PK–8th	Roman Catholic	557	White	38%	83		Regular elementary or secondary
St. Timothys School	PK–8th	Episcopal	552	White	47%	44	1958	Regular elementary or secondary
Thales Academy	PK–5th	Nonsectarian	544	White	1%	29		Regular elementary or secondary
Thales Academy	6th–12th	Nonsectarian	544	White	30%	32		Special program emphasis
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School	PK–8th	Roman Catholic	500	White	24%	32		Regular elementary or secondary
Thales Academy	PK–8th	Nonsectarian	480	White	38%	35		Regular elementary or secondary
Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School	KG–8th	Roman Catholic	471	White	49%	26	1954	Regular elementary or secondary
Thales Academy of Raleigh	PK–8th	Nonsectarian	456	White	-6%	26		Regular elementary or secondary
St. Raphael Catholic School	KG–8th	Roman Catholic	419	White	17%	27		Regular elementary or secondary
Trinity Academy	PK–12th	Christian	419	White	44%	38		Regular elementary or secondary
Thales Academy Jh/Hs	6th–12th	Nonsectarian	389	White	6%	27		Special program emphasis
Hilltop Christian School	KG–12th	Baptist	369	White	36%	24	1982	Regular elementary or secondary
Neuse Christian Academy	KG–12th	Baptist	310	White	31%	30	1971	Regular elementary or secondary
Saint Mary’s School	9th–12th	Episcopal	296	White	38%	31	1842	Regular elementary or secondary

* About racial difference

About This Data

Where is this data from?

Most of the data we use comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Private School Universe Survey, which has aimed to gather information about U.S. private schools every other year since 1989. Because the regulation of private schools is handled differently by state, there is no comprehensive list of every private school in the country. The PSS attempts to approximate such a list using various sources, including state education departments, private school associations and religious organizations, and, in some areas, online yellow pages and local government offices.

What schools are included?

Why are private schools listed under public school districts?

What changes has ProPublica made?

Read the latest education investigations from ProPublica.

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