For the 2023 school year, there are 231 public schools serving 183,416 students in Wake County, NC (there are 111 private schools, serving 20,716 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Wake County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%). Wake County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
The top ranked public schools in Wake County, NC are Quest Academy, Wake Early College Of Health And Science Elementary School and Raleigh Charter High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wake County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 60% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Wake County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is equal to the North Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Wake County Public Schools (2023)
School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Quest Academy
Charter School
Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
10908 Strickland Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Grades: K-8
| 140 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Wake Early College Of Health And Science Elementary School
Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2901 Holston Lane
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 212-5800
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 212-5800
Grades: 9-13
| 312 students
Rank: #33.
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter School
Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1307 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Grades: 9-12
| 569 students
Rank: #44.
Wake Stem Early College High School
Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
715 Barbour Dr
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 515-2255
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 515-2255
Grades: 9-13
| 220 students
Rank: #55.
Green Level High School
Math: 94% | Reading: 87%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7600 Roberts Rd
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 694-8222
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 694-8222
Grades: 9-12
| 1,383 students
Rank: #66.
Magellan Charter
Charter School
Math: 87% | Reading: 88%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9324 Baileywick Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 844-0277
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 844-0277
Grades: 3-8
| 405 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Endeavor Charter School
Charter School
Math: 87% | Reading: 86%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4879 One World Way
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 848-0333
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 848-0333
Grades: K-8
| 536 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
White Oak Elementary School
Math: 90% | Reading: 85%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1512 White Oak Church Rd
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 694-0202
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 694-0202
Grades: PK-5
| 741 students
Rank: #99.
Panther Creek High School
Math: 85% | Reading: 85%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6770 Mccrimmon Parkway
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 463-8656
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 463-8656
Grades: 9-12
| 2,470 students
Rank: #1010.
Crossroads Flex Elementary School
Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥90%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5651 Dillard Dr
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 694-8515
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 694-8515
Grades: 9-12
| 149 students
Rank: #1111.
Mills Park Elementary School
Math: 85% | Reading: 84%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
509 Mills Park Dr
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 466-1466
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 466-1466
Grades: PK-5
| 791 students
Rank: #1212.
Mills Park Middle School
Math: 83% | Reading: 87%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
441 Mills Park Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 466-1500
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 466-1500
Grades: 6-8
| 1,639 students
Rank: #1313.
Davis Drive Middle School
Math: 85% | Reading: 83%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2101 Davis Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-3033
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-3033
Grades: 6-8
| 911 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Davis Drive Elementary School
Math: 83% | Reading: 86%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2151 Davis Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-2130
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-2130
Grades: K-5
| 801 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Highcroft Elementary School
Math: 83% | Reading: 86%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5415 Highcroft Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 460-3527
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 460-3527
Grades: PK-5
| 823 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Green Hope Elementary School
Math: 84% | Reading: 85%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2700 Louis Stephens Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 388-5270
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 388-5270
Grades: PK-5
| 638 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Green Hope High School
Math: 84% | Reading: 85%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2500 Carpenter Upchurch Road
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 380-3700
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 380-3700
Grades: 9-12
| 2,247 students
Rank: #1818.
Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy
Math: 80-84% | Reading: 86%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
301 Ashe Avenue, Governor More
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 508-9088
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 508-9088
Grades: 6-13
| 368 students
Rank: #1919.
Olive Chapel Elementary School
Math: 80% | Reading: 82%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1751 Olive Chapel Road
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 387-4440
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 387-4440
Grades: PK-5
| 1,029 students
Rank: #2020.
North Wake College And Career Academy
Math: 70-74% | Reading: ≥95%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
931 Durham Rd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 694-8650
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 694-8650
Grades: 9-13
| 351 students
Rank: #2121.
Apex Friendship High School
Math: 77% | Reading: 81%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7801 Humie Olive Rd
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 694-0500
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 694-0500
Grades: 9-12
| 2,742 students
Rank: #2222.
Apex High School
Math: 86% | Reading: 73%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1501 Laura Duncan Road
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 387-2208
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 387-2208
Grades: 9-12
| 2,229 students
Rank: #2323.
Vernon Malone College And Career Academy
Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2200 S Wilmington St
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 856-8119
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 856-8119
Grades: 9-13
| 362 students
Rank: #2424.
Franklin Academy
Charter School
Math: 77% | Reading: 78%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1127 Chalk Rd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 570-8262
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 570-8262
Grades: K-12
| 1,650 students
Rank: #2525.
Parkside Elementary School
Math: 73% | Reading: 81%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
332 Parkside Valley Dr
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 694-7888
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 694-7888
Grades: PK-5
| 795 students
Rank: #2626.
Peak Charter Academy
Charter School
Math: 75% | Reading: 77%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1601 Orchard Villas Ave
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 377-1552
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 377-1552
Grades: K-8
| 773 students
Rank: #2727.
Morrisville Elementary School
Math: 74% | Reading: 78%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1519 Morrisville Pkwy
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 460-3400
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 460-3400
Grades: K-5
| 692 students
Rank: #2828.
Sterling Montessori Academy
Charter School
Math: 69% | Reading: 87%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
202 Treybrooke Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 462-8889
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 462-8889
Grades: PK-8
| 616 students
Rank: #2929.
Pleasant Union Elementary School
Math: 72% | Reading: 78%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1900 Pleasant Union Church Roa
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 870-4230
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 870-4230
Grades: PK-5
| 570 students
Rank: #3030.
Sycamore Creek Elementary School
Math: 74% | Reading: 76%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
10921 Leesville Rd
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 841-4333
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 841-4333
Grades: PK-5
| 1,001 students
Rank: #3131.
Holly Springs Elementary School
Math: 74% | Reading: 75%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
401 Holly Springs Road
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 557-2660
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 557-2660
Grades: PK-5
| 858 students
Rank: #3232.
Holly Grove Elementary School
Math: 75% | Reading: 74%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1451 Avent Ferry Road
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-1700
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-1700
Grades: PK-5
| 934 students
Rank: #3333.
Triangle Math And Science Academy
Charter School
Math: 72% | Reading: 76%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
312 Gregson Dr.
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 388-0077
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 388-0077
Grades: K-12
| 946 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Pine Hollow Middle School
Math: 74% | Reading: 74%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5365 Bartram Place
Raleigh, NC 27617
(919) 694-8880
Raleigh, NC 27617
(919) 694-8880
Grades: 6-8
| 1,026 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Scotts Ridge Elementary School
Math: 76% | Reading: 72%
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6601 Apex Barbecue Rd
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 694-0300
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 694-0300
Grades: PK-5
| 835 students
Show 100 more public schools in Wake County, NC (out of 231 total schools)
Loading...
Wake County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Baker Charter High School (Closed 2008)
Charter School
Po Box 2415
Raleigh, NC 27602
(919) 856-5929
Raleigh, NC 27602
(919) 856-5929
Grades: 9-12
| 72 students
Candlewood Middle School (Closed 2021)
Magnet School
1130 Marlborough Rd
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7737
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7737
Grades: K-5
| 433 students
Cardinal Charter Academy West Campus (Closed 2021)
Charter School
1020 St. Charles Place
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 653-5000
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 653-5000
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Dhhs Office Of Education (Closed 2021)
Alternative School
616 Oberlin Rd
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 575-9058
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 575-9058
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
Dynamic Community Charter (Closed 2016)
Special Education School
Charter School
Charter School
5510 Munford Road
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 787-7388
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 787-7388
Grades: 6-10
| 67 students
5101 Rolesville Road
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2642
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2642
Grades: 9-12
| 374 students
5101 Rolesville Road
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2629
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2629
Grades: 9-12
| 372 students
5101 Rolesville Road
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2652
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2652
Grades: 9-12
| 371 students
5101 Rolesville Road
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2657
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2657
Grades: 9-12
| 325 students
Gov Morehead School (Closed 2013)
Special Education School
301 Ashe Ave
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 733-6382
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 733-6382
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Hope Charter Leadership Academy (Closed 2021)
Charter School
1116 N Blount Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 834-0941
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 834-0941
Grades: K-5
| 128 students
Kaleidoscope Charter High School (Closed 2021)
Charter School
100 Airlie Court
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 694-7030
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 694-7030
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Montcross Charter Academy (Closed 2021)
Charter School
301 N. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 807-3491
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 807-3491
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
N C Dept Of Corrections (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
No Local Address
Raleigh, NC 27626
(919) 716-3379
Raleigh, NC 27626
(919) 716-3379
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
700 Beacon Lake Dr
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 212-3104
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 212-3104
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Sparc Academy (Closed 2009)
Charter School
1315 Oakwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27627
(919) 835-2000
Raleigh, NC 27627
(919) 835-2000
Grades: K-8
| 134 students
Spring Hill Sch, Dorothea Dix Hosp (Closed 2013)
Special Education School
2104 Umstead Dr
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 733-5545
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 733-5545
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Twin City High School (Closed 2018)
Charter School
301 N. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27699
(919) 807-3491
Raleigh, NC 27699
(919) 807-3491
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Wake County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Wake County, NC include Quest Academy, Wake Early College Of Health And Science Elementary School and Raleigh Charter High School. Wake County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public schools are located in Wake County, NC?
231 public schools are located in Wake County, NC.
What percentage of students in Wake County, NC go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Wake County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wake County, NC?
Wake County, NC public schools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is equal to the North Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Recent Articles
A Story of Overcoming Common Reading Difficulties
Follow the story of Sarah, a fictional character who overcame common reading difficulties with the help of the three cueing system. This blog post explores the advantages and disadvantages of the three cueing system and provides strategies for implementing it effectively.
Voucher Program Update: Florida
Many states now offer voucher programs. We look at the voucher program available in Florida.
Standardized Tests
Standardized tests have a long history in American K-12 education. We examine what standardized tests evaluate and more.
