Fears of COVID-19 outbreaks prompted North Carolina’s large public school systems to mostly opt for exclusively online instruction this fall, a take-it-safe strategy that drew praise and criticism.

The state’s private schools universally chose to offer in-person instruction with online options, prompting higher enrollment at most institutions. Applications from prospective students increased at double-digit rates at many schools, but capacity restrictions blocked major expansions.

Business North Carolina asked 21 highly rated private schools how they are handling instruction given pandemic concerns and how enrollment is faring. About a dozen other schools declined to participate.

Detailed reports of the private schools’ efforts to diversify their populations and staffs is included in this online version of this story. Such efforts are a major push at most schools.

Tuition reported by the schools does not include scholarships and other aid, which reduces cost for some students.