For the 2025 school year, there are 32 public middle schools serving 19,347 students in Raleigh, NC.
The top ranked public middle schools in Raleigh, NC are Quest Academy, Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy and Magellan Charter. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Raleigh, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Raleigh have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Raleigh, NC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: K-8
| 144 students
Rank: #22.
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
Grades: 6-13
| 274 students
Rank: #33.
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
Grades: 3-8
| 410 students
Rank: #44.
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
Grades: 6-13
| 358 students
Rank: #55.
Pine Hollow Middle School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5365 Bartram Place
Raleigh, NC 27617
(919) 694-8880
Raleigh, NC 27617
(919) 694-8880
Grades: 6-8
| 786 students
Rank: #66.
Moore Square Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 South Person Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 664-5737
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 664-5737
Grades: 6-8
| 590 students
Rank: #77.
Ligon Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
706 E Lenoir St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7929
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7929
Grades: 6-8
| 904 students
Rank: #88.
Leesville Road Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8406 Pride Way
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 870-4141
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 870-4141
Grades: 6-8
| 809 students
Rank: #99.
Carnage Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1425 Carnage Dr
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7600
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7600
Grades: 6-8
| 878 students
Rank: #1010.
Martin Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1701 Ridge Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 881-4970
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 881-4970
Grades: 6-8
| 968 students
Rank: #1111.
Hilburn Drive Academy
(Math: 60% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7100 Hilburn Drive
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 571-6800
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 571-6800
Grades: PK-8
| 590 students
Rank: #1212.
Wakefield Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2300 Wakefield Pines Drive
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 562-3500
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 562-3500
Grades: 6-8
| 832 students
Rank: #1313.
The Exploris School
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
401 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 715-3690
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 715-3690
Grades: K-8
| 450 students
Rank: #1414.
Oberlin Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2816 Oberlin Rd
Raleigh, NC 27608
(919) 881-4860
Raleigh, NC 27608
(919) 881-4860
Grades: 6-8
| 1,121 students
Rank: #1515.
West Millbrook Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8115 Strickland Rd
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 870-4050
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 870-4050
Grades: 6-8
| 1,105 students
Rank: #1616.
Durant Road Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
10401 Durant Rd
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 870-4098
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 870-4098
Grades: 6-8
| 678 students
Rank: #1717.
Dillard Drive Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5200 Dillard Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4228
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4228
Grades: 6-8
| 937 students
Rank: #1818.
Raleigh Oak Charter
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Sumer Drive
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 424-7626
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 424-7626
Grades: K-8
| 291 students
Rank: #1919.
Centennial Campus Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1900 Main Campus Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4217
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 233-4217
Grades: 6-8
| 465 students
Rank: #2020.
Carroll Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4520 Six Forks Rd
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 881-1370
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 881-1370
Grades: 6-8
| 863 students
Rank: #2121.
River Bend Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5601 Wallace Martin Way
Raleigh, NC 27616
(919) 694-8690
Raleigh, NC 27616
(919) 694-8690
Grades: 6-8
| 989 students
Rank: #2222.
Neuse River Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2700 Old Milburnie Rd
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 266-8500
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 266-8500
Grades: 6-8
| 907 students
Rank: #2323.
Preeminent Charter
Charter School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3815 Rock Quarry Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 235-0511
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 235-0511
Grades: K-8
| 712 students
Rank: #2424.
Governor Morehead School F/t Blind
Special Education School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
303 Ashe Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27699
(919) 733-6192
Raleigh, NC 27699
(919) 733-6192
Grades: K-12
| 44 students
Rank: #2525.
East Millbrook Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3801 Spring Forest Rd
Raleigh, NC 27616
(919) 850-8755
Raleigh, NC 27616
(919) 850-8755
Grades: 6-8
| 744 students
Rank: #2626.
Rise Southeast Raleigh Charter
Charter School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3420 Idlewood Village Dr
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 446-4777
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 446-4777
Grades: K-8
| 483 students
Rank: #2727.
River Oaks Middle School
Alternative School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4700 New Bern Ave
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 231-5600
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 231-5600
Grades: 6-8
| 37 students
Rank: #2828.
Longview
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
318 N King Charles Rd
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7691
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7691
Grades: 6-12
| 20 students
Rank: #2929.
Mount Vernon
Alternative School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5418 Chapel Hill Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 233-4313
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 233-4313
Grades: K-8
| 76 students
Rank: #3030.
Connections Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1280 Buck Jones Rd
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 694-8910
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 694-8910
Grades: 6-8
| 17 students
Rank: n/an/a
American Leadership Academy - Johnston
Charter School
3770 Us-70 Bus
Raleigh, NC 27614
(984) 302-3630
Raleigh, NC 27614
(984) 302-3630
Grades: K-11
| 1,865 students
Rank: n/an/a
1017 Main Campus Dr, Partners
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 513-8550
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 513-8550
Grades: 7-13
| n/a students
Raleigh, North Carolina 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
1130 Marlborough Rd
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7737
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7737
Grades: K-5
| 433 students
Dhhs Office Of Education (Closed 2023)
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
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 2020)
Charter School
1116 N Blount Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 834-0941
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 834-0941
Grades: K-5
| 128 students
Montcross Charter Academy (Closed 2023)
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
Revitalize Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2235 Garner Rd
Raleigh, NC 27610
(347) 968-0828
Raleigh, NC 27610
(347) 968-0828
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
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
Torchlight Academy (Closed 2024)
Charter School
3211 Bramer Drive
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 850-9960
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 850-9960
Grades: K-8
| 630 students
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 middle schools in Raleigh, NC?
The top ranked public middle schools in Raleigh, NC include Quest Academy, Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy and Magellan Charter.
How many public middle schools are located in Raleigh?
32 public middle schools are located in Raleigh.
What is the racial composition of students in Raleigh?
Raleigh public middle schools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Raleigh are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Raleigh include: Rise Southeast Raleigh Charter vs. Preeminent Charter, Raleigh Oak Charter vs. The Exploris School, Durant Road Middle School vs. Wakefield Middle School
Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.

10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.

February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.