Grand Oak Elementary in Huntersville scored 98.27 out of 100 in the 2027 U.S. News Best K-8 Schools rankings, earning the No. 27 spot among 1,505 ranked North Carolina elementary schools.
Three other local schools also appeared in the rankings: Davidson K-8 School at No. 70, J.V. Washam Elementary in Cornelius at No. 153 and the Community School of Davidson charter at No. 428.
At Grand Oak, 91% of students scored at or above the proficient level in math and 83% in reading, according to the school's U.S. News profile. Both figures far exceed Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) district averages of 56% in math and 46% in reading. The U.S. News profile lists 549 students at the school in pre-K through fifth grade and maintains a 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio, lower than the district's. Ninety-seven percent of its 36 full-time teachers are certified.
The rankings, published Oct. 20, are based on 2023-24 state assessment data. U.S. News weights four factors equally at 25% each: math proficiency, math performance, reading proficiency and reading performance. Half the formula measures raw test scores. The other half factors in results relative to a school's socioeconomic demographics.
Grand Oak's reading proficiency ranked 44th statewide and its math proficiency ranked 26th. Both its reading and math performance ratings were "Well Above Expectations."
The U.S. News profiles report these figures for the other schools, reflecting the reporting periods used in the rankings:
- Davidson K-8 School (No. 70): 83% math proficiency, 78% reading, 1,185 students, 16-to-1 student-teacher ratio
- J.V. Washam Elementary (No. 153): 84% math proficiency, 67% reading, 818 students, 18-to-1 ratio, 100% certified teachers
- Community School of Davidson (No. 428): 80% math proficiency, 73% reading, 1,631 students (K-12 charter), 19-to-1 ratio
North Carolina's top 10 elementary schools
- Lincoln Academy, Greensboro
- Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy, Charlotte
- White Oak Elementary, Apex
- Quest Academy, Raleigh
- Highcroft Elementary, Cary
- Wesley Chapel Elementary, Monroe
- Masonboro Elementary, Wilmington
- Rea View Elementary, Waxhaw
- Ogden Elementary, Wilmington
- Sandy Ridge Elementary, Waxhaw
U.S. News ranked nearly 47,000 elementary schools and more than 24,000 middle schools nationwide in the 2027 edition. The rankings cover only public schools because they participate in common statewide assessments that allow comparison.
