For the 2025 school year, there are 244 public schools serving 191,497 students in Wake County, NC (there are 116 private schools, serving 21,791 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 Public Schools in Wake County (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.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 785 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 560 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 2,126 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 603 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 1,628 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 2,149 students
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
Grades: 6-13
| 274 students
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
Grades: 3-8
| 410 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 699 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 645 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 986 students
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
Grades: K-5
| 820 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 997 students
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
Grades: 9-13
| 307 students
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
Grades: 9-13
| 261 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 1,341 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 798 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 694 students
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
Grades: K-8
| 775 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 2,561 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 146 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 907 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 1,652 students
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
Grades: K-8
| 788 students
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
Grades: 6-13
| 358 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 2,111 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 766 students
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
Grades: 9-13
| 336 students
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
Grades: 9-13
| 347 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 751 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 426 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 1,392 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
| 533 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 1,111 students
Show 100 more public schools in Wake County, NC (out of 244 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
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
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
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
5625 Dillard Dr
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 431-7400
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 431-7400
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
5625 Dillard Dr
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 431-7400
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 431-7400
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
5625 Dillard Dr
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 431-7400
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 431-7400
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?
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
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.
