The Heritage Foundation recently unveiled a new nationwide catalog of nearly 900 classical schools, including 43 located in North Carolina.
According to Heritage, the database is designed to “inform parents, teachers, school leaders, lawmakers, and citizens interested in the revival of classical liberal arts education.” The database is searchable by state, city, and zip code, with filters for operational models, weekday schedules, religious affiliations, and classical language courses such as Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.
Classic schools focus on traditional subjects, character building, and moral instruction. Many use the “trivium” model of instruction, which emphasis grammar, logic, and rhetoric.
The database documents 894 schools nationwide, including 137 charter schools and 757 private schools. States with the highest numbers aside from NC include Texas at 141 schools and Florida at 53 schools.
In NC, the Triangle area boasts the highest number of classical schools: St. Thomas More Academy and Trinity Academy in Raleigh; Cary Christian School in Cary; Commission Leadership Academy in Youngsville; and Haw River Christian Academy in Pittsboro. The region also has eight chapters of Thales Academy in Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Pittsboro, Rolesville, and Wake Forest.
Demand for classical education is on the rise. A study by Arcadia Education found an estimated 677,500 students attended 1,551 classical schools during the 2023–24 school year. This figure includes various models, like micro schools, homeschool groups, charter schools, and private institutions. From 2019 to 2023, over 250 new classical schools launched in response to growing interest from families.
“More and more families are seeking out rigorous, values-aligned education that prepares their children for success in life,” said Kaitlyn Shepherd, education policy analyst at the John Locke Foundation.”
The momentum behind this movement may be traced to dissatisfaction with traditional public schools. According to a January 2025 Carolina Journal poll, 55% of respondents were dissatisfied with the quality of local K-12 education. The poll revealed that 35% of North Carolinians believe the purpose of education should be mastering core academic subjects. But persistent gaps in state math and reading test scores have parents seeking alternative options.
“The need for high-quality, character-rich education has never been more apparent,” Shepherd added. “Parents are rightly seeking out options that reflect their values and ensure their children are prepared for success, both academically and personally.”
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