U.S. News & World Report: National Heritage Academies Has 14 of the Best Charter Elementary, Middle Schools Across the Country
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NHA Schools in Michigan and North Carolina Earned Accolades
Strong schools don’t happen by chance, and this year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings reflect the steady work happening inside National Heritage Academies (NHA) classrooms every day. Fourteen NHA schools earned Top 10 spots on the 2026 Best Charter Elementary and Middle School lists across Michigan and North Carolina. Three NHA schools were also named among the Top 10 Best Public Middle Schools, recognizing consistent academic growth built through strong teaching, high expectations, and partnership with families.
Rankings were determined by analyzing math and reading proficiency, state assessments and how schools performed compared to expectations. Read more about the ranking’s methodology here.
NHA middle and elementary schools in Michigan (10) and North Carolina (4) include:
Top Michigan Charter Elementary Schools
Number 1: Chandler Woods Charter Academy – Belmont
Number 2: South Arbor Charter Academy – Ypsilanti
Number 3: Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy – Plymouth
Number 4: Cross Creek Charter Academy – Byron Center
Number 6: Canton Charter Academy – Canton
Number 7: Vanguard Charter Academy – Wyoming
Number 8: Achieve Charter Academy – Canton
Number 9: South Canton Scholars – Canton
Number 10: Excel Charter Academy – Grand Rapids
Top Michigan Public Middle Schools
Number 8: Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy – Plymouth
Top Michigan Charter Middle Schools
Number 2: Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy – Plymouth
Number 3: South Arbor Charter Academy – Ypsilanti
Number 4: Achieve Charter Academy – Canton
Number 5: Chandler Woods Charter Academy – Belmont
Number 6: Cross Creek Charter Academy – Byron Center
Number 7: Keystone Academy – Belleville
Number 8: Canton Charter Academy – Canton
Number 9: Excel Charter Academy – Grand Rapids
Top North Carolina Charter Elementary Schools
Number 6: Greensboro Academy – Greensboro
Number 7: Peak Charter Academy – Apex
Top North Carolina Public Middle Schools
Number 5: Greensboro Academy – Greensboro
Number 9: Peak Charter Academy – Apex
Top North Carolina Charter Middle Schools
Number 2: Greensboro Academy – Greensboro
Number 3: Peak Charter Academy – Apex
Number 7: Summerfield Charter Academy – Summerfield
Number 9: Johnston Charter Academy – Clayton
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 103 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 67,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.
Strong schools don’t happen by chance, and this year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings reflect the steady work happening inside National Heritage Academies (NHA) classrooms every day. Fourteen NHA schools earned Top 10 spots on the 2026 Best Charter Elementary and Middle School lists across Michigan and North Carolina. Three NHA schools were also named among the Top 10 Best Public Middle Schools, recognizing consistent academic growth built through strong teaching, high expectations, and partnership with families.
Rankings were determined by analyzing math and reading proficiency, state assessments and how schools performed compared to expectations. Read more about the ranking’s methodology here.
NHA middle and elementary schools in Michigan (10) and North Carolina (4) include:
Top Michigan Charter Elementary Schools
Number 1: Chandler Woods Charter Academy – Belmont
Number 2: South Arbor Charter Academy – Ypsilanti
Number 3: Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy – Plymouth
Number 4: Cross Creek Charter Academy – Byron Center
Number 6: Canton Charter Academy – Canton
Number 7: Vanguard Charter Academy – Wyoming
Number 8: Achieve Charter Academy – Canton
Number 9: South Canton Scholars – Canton
Number 10: Excel Charter Academy – Grand Rapids
Top Michigan Public Middle Schools
Number 8: Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy – Plymouth
Top Michigan Charter Middle Schools
Number 2: Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy – Plymouth
Number 3: South Arbor Charter Academy – Ypsilanti
Number 4: Achieve Charter Academy – Canton
Number 5: Chandler Woods Charter Academy – Belmont
Number 6: Cross Creek Charter Academy – Byron Center
Number 7: Keystone Academy – Belleville
Number 8: Canton Charter Academy – Canton
Number 9: Excel Charter Academy – Grand Rapids
Top North Carolina Charter Elementary Schools
Number 6: Greensboro Academy – Greensboro
Number 7: Peak Charter Academy – Apex
Top North Carolina Public Middle Schools
Number 5: Greensboro Academy – Greensboro
Number 9: Peak Charter Academy – Apex
Top North Carolina Charter Middle Schools
Number 2: Greensboro Academy – Greensboro
Number 3: Peak Charter Academy – Apex
Number 7: Summerfield Charter Academy – Summerfield
Number 9: Johnston Charter Academy – Clayton
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 103 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 67,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.