Last verified: October 2026
Can a family moving to Raleigh apply for the Opportunity Scholarship?
Yes. NCSEAA lets relocating families apply if they physically live in North Carolina at enrollment and meet residency documentation rules by October 1. The student does not need to be in a private school already.
Which parts of the Triangle have the most private schools?
Durham County and North Raleigh have the deepest lists in our directory, followed by Cary, Apex and Morrisville. Johnston County has the fewest. The table below counts schools and Direct Payment listings by area.
What should newcomers do first?
Set up an NCSEAA MyPortal account, gather residency documents, check your tier and shortlist schools that are on the Direct Payment list. Then ask each school about seats and aid deadlines.
How many private schools does each part of the Triangle have?
| Area | Schools | On the 2026-27 list | Students (federal survey) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown, West & Southeast Raleigh | 24 | 16 | 6,409 |
| North Raleigh | 22 | 15 | 7,415 |
| Cary, Apex & Morrisville | 32 | 19 | 4,536 |
| Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina & Garner | 8 | 8 | 1,220 |
| Wake Forest, Rolesville, Knightdale & Zebulon | 10 | 9 | 2,098 |
| Durham | 44 | 36 | 5,311 |
| Chapel Hill, Carrboro & Hillsborough | 10 | 9 | 1,216 |
| Clayton, Smithfield & Johnston County | 8 | 6 | 956 |
Wake County vs Durham and Orange counties: how do they compare?
| Wake County | Durham and Orange counties |
|---|---|
| Most schools and most listings | Fewer schools, more independent and Quaker or Waldorf options |
| Wake Pre-K application for four-year-olds | Durham PreK or NC Pre-K |
| Wake Tech for dual enrollment | Durham Tech for dual enrollment |