For the 2025 school year, there are 244 public schools serving 191,497 students in Wake County, NC (there are , serving 21,852 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Wake County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%). 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, White Oak 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 60% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 62% (versus the 50% 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 57% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is equal to the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Schools in Wake County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Quest Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
10908 Strickland Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Gr: K-8 | 144 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
White Oak Elementary School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1512 White Oak Church Rd
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 694-0202
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 694-0202
Gr: PK-5 | 785 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #33.
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1307 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Gr: 9-12 | 560 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #44.
Green Hope High School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2500 Carpenter Upchurch Road
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 380-3700
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 380-3700
Gr: 9-12 | 2,126 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #55.
Green Hope Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2700 Louis Stephens Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 388-5270
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 388-5270
Gr: PK-5 | 603 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #66.
Mills Park Middle School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
441 Mills Park Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 466-1500
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 466-1500
Gr: 6-8 | 1,628 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #77.
Green Level High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7600 Roberts Rd
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 694-8222
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 694-8222
Gr: 9-12 | 2,149 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #88.
Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
567 East Hargett St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 664-5644
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 664-5644
Gr: 6-13 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #99.
Magellan Charter
Charter School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9324 Baileywick Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 844-0277
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 844-0277
Gr: 3-8 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Highcroft Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5415 Highcroft Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 460-3527
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 460-3527
Gr: PK-5 | 699 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Mills Park Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
509 Mills Park Dr
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 466-1466
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 466-1466
Gr: PK-5 | 645 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1212.
Olive Chapel Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1751 Olive Chapel Road
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 387-4440
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 387-4440
Gr: PK-5 | 986 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Davis Drive Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2151 Davis Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-2130
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-2130
Gr: K-5 | 820 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Davis Drive Middle School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2101 Davis Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-3033
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 387-3033
Gr: 6-8 | 997 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Wake Early College Of Health And Science
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2901 Holston Lane
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 212-5800
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 212-5800
Gr: 9-13 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Wake Stem Early College High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2205 Walnut Street
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 694-8130
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 694-8130
Gr: 9-13 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1717.
Triangle Math And Science Academy
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
312 Gregson Dr.
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 388-0077
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 388-0077
Gr: K-12 | 1,341 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Cedar Fork Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1050 Town Hall Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 388-5240
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 388-5240
Gr: PK-5 | 798 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Hortons Creek Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7615 O'kelly Chapel Rd
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 694-8660
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 694-8660
Gr: PK-5 | 694 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2020.
Peak Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1601 Orchard Villas Ave
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 377-1552
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 377-1552
Gr: K-8 | 775 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #2121.
Panther Creek High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6770 Mccrimmon Parkway
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 463-8656
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 463-8656
Gr: 9-12 | 2,561 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #2222.
Crossroads Flex
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5651 Dillard Dr
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 694-8515
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 694-8515
Gr: 9-12 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2323.
Holly Springs Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
401 Holly Springs Road
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 557-2660
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 557-2660
Gr: PK-5 | 907 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #2424.
Franklin Academy
Charter School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1127 Chalk Rd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 570-8262
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 570-8262
Gr: K-12 | 1,652 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2525.
Endeavor Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4879 One World Way
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 848-0333
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 848-0333
Gr: K-8 | 788 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2626.
Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
301 Ashe Avenue, Governor More
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 508-9088
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 508-9088
Gr: 6-13 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #2727.
Holly Springs High School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5329 Cass Holt Road
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-1444
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-1444
Gr: 9-12 | 2,111 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #2828.
Scotts Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6601 Apex Barbecue Rd
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 694-0300
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 694-0300
Gr: PK-5 | 766 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
North Wake College And Career Academy
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
931 Durham Rd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 694-8650
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 694-8650
Gr: 9-13 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Vernon Malone College And Career Academy
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2200 S Wilmington St
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 856-8119
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 856-8119
Gr: 9-13 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #3131.
Holly Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
900 Holly Springs Road
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-1300
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-1300
Gr: PK-5 | 751 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #3232.
Longleaf School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
322 Chapanoke Road
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 896-8164
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 896-8164
Gr: 9-12 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Apex Friendship Middle School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
7701 Humie Olive Rd
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 694-8960
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 694-8960
Gr: 6-8 | 1,392 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Jeffreys Grove Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6119 Creedmoor Rd
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 881-4910
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 881-4910
Gr: PK-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #3535.
Alston Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
11555 Green Level Church Rd.
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 544-2474
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 544-2474
Gr: PK-5 | 1,111 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Show 100 more public schools in Wake County, NC (out of 244 total schools)
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Wake County ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Baker Charter High School (Closed 2008)
Charter School
Po Box 2415
Raleigh, NC 27602
(919) 856-5929
Raleigh, NC 27602
(919) 856-5929
Gr: 9-12 | 72 students Minority enrollment: 83%
1130 Marlborough Rd
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7737
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7737
Gr: K-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Cardinal Charter Academy West Campus (Closed 2023)
Charter School
1020 St. Charles Place
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 653-5000
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 653-5000
Dhhs Office Of Education (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
616 Oberlin Rd
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 575-9058
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 575-9058
Gr: PK-12
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
Gr: 6-10 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
5101 Rolesville Road
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2642
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2642
Gr: 9-12 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
5101 Rolesville Road
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2629
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2629
Gr: 9-12 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
5101 Rolesville Road
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2652
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2652
Gr: 9-12 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
5101 Rolesville Road
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2657
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 365-2657
Gr: 9-12 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Gov Morehead School (Closed 2013)
Special Education School
301 Ashe Ave
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 733-6382
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 733-6382
Gr: K-12
Hope Charter Leadership Academy (Closed 2020)
Charter School
1116 N Blount Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 834-0941
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 834-0941
Gr: K-5 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Kaleidoscope Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
100 Airlie Court
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 694-7030
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 694-7030
Montcross Charter Academy (Closed 2023)
Charter School
301 N. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 807-3491
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 807-3491
N C Dept Of Corrections (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
No Local Address
Raleigh, NC 27626
(919) 716-3379
Raleigh, NC 27626
(919) 716-3379
Gr: Inquire with school
700 Beacon Lake Dr
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 212-3104
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 212-3104
Gr: 6-12
1315 Oakwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27627
(919) 835-2000
Raleigh, NC 27627
(919) 835-2000
Gr: K-8 | 134 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
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
Gr: K-12
Torchlight Academy (Closed 2024)
Charter School
3211 Bramer Drive
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 850-9960
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 850-9960
Gr: K-8 | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 105:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
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, White Oak 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?
244 public schools are located in Wake County.
What percentage of students in Wake County go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Wake County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wake County?
Wake County public schools minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is equal to the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Wake County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Wake County include: Willow Spring High School vs. Fuquay-varina High School, North Garner Middle School vs. East Garner Middle School, Rise Southeast Raleigh Charter vs. Preeminent Charter
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