Ranked in the top 10 overall across all 11 quality dimensions among every licensed childcare center in Burlington.
Most Compassionate
Earned the highest compassion score in Burlington. This dimension captures warmth, emotional attunement, and the degree to which parents feel their child is genuinely loved and seen.
Best Culture
Earned the highest culture score in Burlington. This dimension captures a sense of community, inclusivity, staff morale, and the feeling families describe when they walk through the door.
Best Space & Comfort
Earned the highest space and comfort score in Burlington. This dimension reflects classroom size, outdoor play areas, and whether parents feel the center is appropriately staffed and uncrowded.
Full Ranking Detail
childcarepreschoolschool-agefaith-based
Excel Christian Academy is a 5-Star NC DCDEE-licensed childcare and preschool center serving up to 123 children ages 30 months through 12 years at 734 Apple St in Burlington's 27217 zip code. Operating as an outreach ministry of Ebenezer United Church of Christ under director Dr. Terry Walker, the academy emphasizes holistic development across five growth domains within a rigorous faith-based academic framework. Recent inspection history is largely clean, with only administrative paperwork violations in 2023 and a fully clean inspection in May of that year.
Safety7.0
Curriculum7.0
Art / Music6.0
Infant care2.0
Kindergarten readiness7.0
Teacher quality7.0
Compassion8.0
Management7.0
Culture8.0
Class sizes7.0
Extracurriculars6.0
What parents say
“My daughter loves going to Excel so much that she is a little upset when school is closed. The director, Mrs. Woods is awesome, friendly and very knowledgeable. The staff is amazing and her homework is always done and done well.”
Programs & curriculum
Curriculum & approach: Robust educational foundation grounded in Christian values, combining academic rigor with faith-based learning. Nurturing Christian environment that promotes academic excellence while fostering emotional, social, and spiritual growth. Emphasis on cultivating curiosity and challenging minds while enriching hearts.
Programs & activities: Day School program for Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Pre-School program available. Faith-centered learning environment with integrated spiritual, emotional, and social development alongside academics.
What sets it apart: Located on The Ebenezer Church campus at 734 Apple Street. Leadership includes Rev. Dr. Larry E. Covington (Headmaster) and Dr. Terry Walker (Director, 35+ years educational experience, Ph.D. in Education). Opportunity Scholarship available through North Carolina scholarship program. Contact: 336-226-8526.
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
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Top 10 in Burlington
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Excel Christian Academy -->
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Top 10 in Burlington</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Ranked in the top 10 overall across all 11 quality dimensions among every licensed childcare center in Burlington.</span>
</span>
</a>
Most Compassionate
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Excel Christian Academy -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/north-carolina/triad/burlington/excel-christian-academy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-compassion.jpg" alt="Most Compassionate - Excel Christian Academy - Burlington, NC" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Most Compassionate</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest compassion score in Burlington. This dimension captures warmth, emotional attunement, and the degree to which parents feel their child is genuinely loved and seen.</span>
</span>
</a>
Best Culture
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Excel Christian Academy -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/north-carolina/triad/burlington/excel-christian-academy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-culture.jpg" alt="Best Culture - Excel Christian Academy - Burlington, NC" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Culture</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest culture score in Burlington. This dimension captures a sense of community, inclusivity, staff morale, and the feeling families describe when they walk through the door.</span>
</span>
</a>
Best Space & Comfort
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Excel Christian Academy -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/north-carolina/triad/burlington/excel-christian-academy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-crowding.jpg" alt="Best Space & Comfort - Excel Christian Academy - Burlington, NC" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Space & Comfort</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest space and comfort score in Burlington. This dimension reflects classroom size, outdoor play areas, and whether parents feel the center is appropriately staffed and uncrowded.</span>
</span>
</a>
This recognition is awarded independently by Creative Minds Montessori based on publicly available parent reviews and public records. Centers do not pay for or request these rankings. Scores reflect editorial synthesis of verified parent experience — not center marketing materials. Rankings are updated periodically as new reviews are analyzed.
