For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public preschools serving 4,090 students in Franklin County, NC.
The top ranked public preschools in Franklin County, NC are Tar River Elementary School, Youngsville Elementary School and Wilton Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Franklin County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Franklin County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Franklin County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Tar River Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2642 Philo White Rd
Franklinton, NC 27525
(919) 528-2767
Franklinton, NC 27525
(919) 528-2767
Grades: PK-5
| 358 students
Rank: #22.
Youngsville Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
125 Us I-a
Youngsville, NC 27596
(919) 556-5250
Youngsville, NC 27596
(919) 556-5250
Grades: PK-5
| 410 students
Rank: #33.
Wilton Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2555 Hwy 96
Franklinton, NC 27525
(919) 528-0033
Franklinton, NC 27525
(919) 528-0033
Grades: PK-5
| 293 students
Rank: #44.
Edward Best Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4011 Nc 56 Hwy East
Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 853-2347
Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 853-2347
Grades: PK-5
| 501 students
Rank: #55.
Long Mill Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1753 Long Mill Rd
Youngsville, NC 27596
(919) 554-0667
Youngsville, NC 27596
(919) 554-0667
Grades: PK-5
| 412 students
Rank: #66.
Franklinton Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
431 S Hillsborough St.
Franklinton, NC 27525
(919) 494-2479
Franklinton, NC 27525
(919) 494-2479
Grades: PK-5
| 485 students
Rank: #77.
Laurel Mill Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
730 Laurel Mill Road
Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 853-3577
Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 853-3577
Grades: PK-5
| 285 students
Rank: #88.
Bunn Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
686 Bunn Elem School Road
Bunn, NC 27508
(919) 496-4015
Bunn, NC 27508
(919) 496-4015
Grades: PK-5
| 579 students
Rank: #99.
Louisburg Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
50 Stone Southerland Road
Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 496-3676
Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 496-3676
Grades: PK-5
| 413 students
Rank: #1010.
Royal Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
308 Flat Rock Church Road
Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 496-7377
Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 496-7377
Grades: PK-5
| 354 students
Franklin County 51±¬ÁÏs (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Riverside Elementary Magnet (Closed 2007)
Magnet School
53 West River Road
Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 496-2600
Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 496-2600
Grades: K-5
| 76 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Franklin County, NC?
The top ranked public preschools in Franklin County, NC include Tar River Elementary School, Youngsville Elementary School and Wilton Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Franklin County?
10 public preschools are located in Franklin County.
What is the racial composition of students in Franklin County?
Franklin County public preschools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Franklin County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Franklin County include: Wilton Elementary School vs. Tar River Elementary School, Tar River Elementary School vs. Wilton Elementary School, Louisburg Elementary School vs. Royal Elementary School
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.