Henderson Collegiate High School has been named among the top 4 percent of high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, according to a press release from the school that serves more than 1,400 students.
“This is not just about a school. This is about a movement to help America finally live up to the vision of our founding fathers that every child has the right to pursue happiness and the opportunity to rise as high as their dreams can take them,” said co-founder and CEO Eric Sanchez. “Our calling is to level the playing field so that our kids stand shoulder to shoulder with the most privileged students in this country. We are transforming the story from poverty to promise, from despair to determination, from crime to courage and leadership. The unshakable efforts of thousands of students, staff, and families have propelled our children into the top 4% of the nation. But the true victory is greater than statistics. It is that our relentless belief and paradigm shifting work ignite a fire in others to do the same. What we are building is not just success for our kids; it is a beacon of hope for our country.”
Founded 15 years ago, Henderson Collegiate began with a mission to break paradigms and stereotypes about what children from rural, low-income communities can achieve. With fewer resources than large, well-funded districts in places like Wake and Mecklenburg counties, the school sets out to provide the same rigorous, college-preparatory education.
“Our scholars’ success is not an accident,” said Carice Sanchez, co-founder and Chief Academic Officer. “It is the result of unwavering belief in our students’ potential, the tireless dedication of our teachers and families, and a culture that insists every child deserves the opportunity to succeed in life. The rankings are proof of what we’ve known all along: when you give all of our students access to great teaching, high expectations, and loving support, they rise.”
Published in the U.S. News Best High Schools Rankings for 2025–2026, Henderson Collegiate ranked:
- #710 of 17,901 National Public High Schools (Top 4.0 percent)
- #130 of 2,991 National Charter High Schools (Top 4.3 percent)
- #24 of 682 North Carolina Public and Charter High Schools (Top 3.5 percent)
Each year, U.S. News evaluates schools on measures such as performance on state tests, progress of historically underserved students, graduation rates and participation in advanced coursework. Henderson Collegiate offers 13 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and students consistently outperform national participation and pass rate averages—demonstrating that rigorous opportunities are not reserved for wealthy districts, but also thrive here in Vance County.
For students growing up in first-generation, low-income communities, college is one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2025, workers with a bachelor’s degree earn, on average, $31,000 more per year than those with only a high school diploma and are far less likely to face
With a focus on students graduating from high school and heading off to college, Henderson Collegiate has an impact on first-generation college students; the impact goes even further: earning a degree can mean being the first in their family to achieve economic stability, creating ripple effects for siblings, future children, and the entire community. This is why Henderson Collegiate believes every student should graduate with the choice and opportunity that higher education provides.
Since its first graduating class in 2019, Henderson Collegiate has upheld a 100 percent college acceptance rate. The Pride of 2025 is carrying that legacy forward, with 73 percent of seniors already accepted into Tier I–III colleges and universities and earning a record $21.5 million in merit scholarships. Every graduating class since 2019 has included at least one student awarded a QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship, earning a full ride to some of the nation’s most selective schools—including Duke, Harvard, Princeton, Davidson, Denison, Boston College, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Perhaps most inspiring, several Henderson Collegiate alumni have already graduated from college and returned home to Vance County to teach at the very school that helped launch their journey. Their stories reflect the heart of Henderson Collegiate’s mission: education that not only transforms individual lives but strengthens the community for generations to come. By investing their talent where they grew up, they model what’s possible for our youngest scholars and build a pipeline of homegrown educators and leaders. Each graduate who comes back multiplies impact—mentoring students, supporting families, and partnering with local organizations—so that change takes root block by block. This is how a community is transformed from within: pride becomes responsibility, and support turns into shared progress.
Visit https://www.hendersoncollegiate.org/ to learn more.
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