Most challenging high schools in North Carolina?

Hello everyone! I'm curious to know which high schools in North Carolina are reputed to be the most challenging academically. Anyone from NC here or anybody who has knowledge about this topic?

There's an array of high schools in North Carolina known for their challenging academics. Typically, these come down to Early Colleges, Magnet schools, or Schools of Science and Math.

1. Raleigh Charter High School in Raleigh: This charter school is one of the top high schools in the entire US and is known for its rigorous academic program and small class sizes.

2. Chapel Hill High School and East Chapel Hill High School: Both are in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District and are typically considered a step above many other high schools due to the breadth of their AP course offerings.

3. Early College High Schools (like Guilford County’s Middle College at GTCC-Jamestown and UNCG Early/Middle College): These high schools allow students to take community college or university-level courses while in high school, which can push advanced students.

4. North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham: Although this is a two-year residential school for juniors and seniors, it offers intensive courses in, as the name suggests, the sciences and mathematics. Its rigorous selection process ensures that only top students are admitted, making it one of the most academically challenging schools in the state.

5. Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte: This school is in a competitive district and offers a slew of AP classes that make it more academically challenging than many other schools in the state.

Remember, what makes a school challenging can vary greatly from one student to the next. Some students thrive in a school that offers a lot of AP or IB classes, while others might find a curriculum that focuses on performing arts or technology to be more challenging. It's all about finding the right fit.