For the 2024-25 school year, there are 242 public schools serving 187,951 students in Wake County, NC (there are 120 private schools, serving 21,954 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 61% (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 56% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is equal to the North Carolina public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Wake County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Quest Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
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
| 142 students
Rank: #22.
White Oak Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 778 students
Rank: #33.
Raleigh Charter High School
Magnet School
Charter 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
Grades: 9-12
| 564 students
Rank: #44.
Green Hope High School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 2,001 students
Rank: #55.
Green Hope Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 605 students
Rank: #66.
Mills Park Middle School
Magnet 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
Grades: 6-8
| 1,630 students
Rank: #77.
Green Level High School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 2,052 students
Rank: #88.
Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy
Magnet School
(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
| 267 students
Rank: #99.
Magellan Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
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
| 406 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Highcroft Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 721 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Mills Park Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 702 students
Rank: #1212.
Olive Chapel Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 982 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Davis Drive Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: K-5
| 825 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Davis Drive Middle School
Magnet 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
Grades: 6-8
| 959 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Wake Early College Of Health And Science
Magnet School
(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
Grades: 9-13
| 310 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Wake Stem Early College High School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-13
| 242 students
Rank: #1717.
Triangle Math And Science Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
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
Grades: K-12
| 1,276 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Cedar Fork Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 773 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Hortons Creek Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 720 students
Rank: #2020.
Peak Charter Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
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
Grades: K-8
| 767 students
Rank: #2121.
Panther Creek High School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 2,435 students
Rank: #2222.
Crossroads Flex
Magnet School
(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
Grades: 9-12
| 148 students
Rank: #2323.
Holly Springs Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 907 students
Rank: #2424.
Franklin Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
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
Grades: K-12
| 1,651 students
Rank: #2525.
Endeavor Charter School
Magnet School
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
Grades: K-8
| 767 students
Rank: #2626.
Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy
Magnet School
(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
| 349 students
Rank: #2727.
Holly Springs High School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 2,140 students
Rank: #2828.
Scotts Ridge Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 766 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
North Wake College And Career Academy
Magnet School
(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
Grades: 9-13
| 333 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Vernon Malone College And Career Academy
Magnet School
(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
Grades: 9-13
| 353 students
Rank: #3131.
Holly Ridge Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 791 students
Rank: #3232.
Longleaf School Of The Arts
Magnet School
Charter School
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
Grades: 9-12
| 406 students
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Apex Friendship Middle School
Magnet 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
Grades: 6-8
| 1,397 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 487 students
Rank: #3535.
Alston Ridge Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 1,047 students
Show 100 more public schools in Wake County, NC (out of 242 total schools)
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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 2023)
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 2023)
Charter School
1020 St. Charles Place
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 653-5000
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 653-5000
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Ce Academy (Closed 2023)
Charter School
201 Dixie Trail
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 415-1797
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 415-1797
Grades: n/a
| n/a 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
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 2020)
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 2023)
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 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
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
Torchlight Academy (Closed 2023)
Charter School
3211 Bramer Drive
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 850-9960
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 850-9960
Grades: K-8
| 630 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, 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?
242 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 56% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is equal to the North Carolina public schools average of 56% (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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