Best Southwest Raleigh Public Schools

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 5,872 students in the neighborhood of Southwest Raleigh, Raleigh, NC.
The top-ranked public schools in Southwest Raleigh are Vernon Malone College And Career Academy, Longleaf School Of The Arts and Athens Drive High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
The neighborhood of Southwest Raleigh, Raleigh, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in the neighborhood of Southwest Raleigh, Raleigh, NC (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Vernon Malone College And Career Academy
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2200 S Wilmington St
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 856-8119
Gr: 9-13 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #22.
Longleaf School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
322 Chapanoke Road
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 896-8164
Gr: 9-12 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #33.
Athens Drive High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1420 Athens Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4050
Gr: 9-12 | 2,156 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #44.
Combs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2001 Lorimer Rd
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4300
Gr: PK-5 | 695 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #55.
Dillard Drive Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5200 Dillard Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4228
Gr: 6-8 | 977 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #66.
Centennial Campus Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1900 Main Campus Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4217
Gr: 6-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #77.
Dillard Drive Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5018 Dillard Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4200
Gr: PK-5 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #88.
Mount Vernon
Alternative School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5418 Chapel Hill Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 233-4313
Gr: K-8 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: n/an/a
Ncvps
343 E. Six Forks Road Suite 1
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 513-8550
Gr: 7-13

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in the neighborhood of Southwest Raleigh, Raleigh, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in the neighborhood of Southwest Raleigh, Raleigh, NC include Vernon Malone College And Career Academy, Longleaf School Of The Arts and Athens Drive High School.
How many public schools are located in the neighborhood of Southwest Raleigh, Raleigh?
10 public schools are located in the neighborhood of Southwest Raleigh, Raleigh.
What is the racial composition of students in the neighborhood of Southwest Raleigh, Raleigh?
the neighborhood of Southwest Raleigh, Raleigh public schools minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

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