For the 2025 school year, there are 72 public middle schools serving 58,541 students in Wake County, NC. The top ranked public middle schools in Wake County, NC are Quest Academy, Mills Park Middle School and Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wake County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Wake County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle 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
| 142 students
Rank: #22.
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
| 1,630 students
Rank: #33.
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
| 267 students
Rank: #44.
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
| 406 students
Rank: #55.
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
| 959 students
Rank: #66.
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
| 1,276 students
Rank: #77.
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
| 767 students
Rank: #88.
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
| 1,651 students
Rank: #99.
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
| 767 students
Rank: #1010.
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
| 349 students
Rank: #1111.
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
| 1,397 students
Rank: #1212.
Heritage Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3400 Rogers Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 562-6204
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 562-6204
Grades: 6-8
| 997 students
Rank: #1313.
Alston Ridge Middle School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
7833 Fussell Avenue
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 694-8044
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 694-8044
Grades: 6-8
| 1,459 students
Rank: #1414.
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
| 850 students
Rank: #1515.
Envision Science Academy
Charter School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
590 Traditions Grande Blvd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 435-4002
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 435-4002
Grades: K-8
| 741 students
Rank: #1616.
Salem Middle School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6150 Old Jenks Road
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 363-1870
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 363-1870
Grades: 6-8
| 1,071 students
Rank: #1717.
Sterling Montessori Academy
Charter School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
202 Treybrooke Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 462-8889
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 462-8889
Grades: PK-8
| 620 students
Rank: #1818.
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
| 585 students
Rank: #1919.
West Cary Middle School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1000 Evans Road
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 460-3528
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 460-3528
Grades: 6-8
| 860 students
Rank: #2020.
Wake Forest Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1851 Friendship Chapel Rd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 263-8673
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 263-8673
Grades: K-8
| 636 students
Rank: #2121.
Pine Springs Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
220 Rosewood Centre Dr
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 439-9448
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 439-9448
Grades: K-8
| 1,243 students
Rank: #2222.
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
| 893 students
Rank: #2323.
Apex Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
400 East Moore Street
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 387-2181
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 387-2181
Grades: 6-8
| 905 students
Rank: #2424.
Lufkin Road Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1002 Lufkin Road
Apex, NC 27539
(919) 387-4465
Apex, NC 27539
(919) 387-4465
Grades: 6-8
| 995 students
Rank: #2525.
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
| 791 students
Rank: #2626.
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
| 844 students
Rank: #2727.
Cleveland Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2323 Cornwallis Road
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 553-7500
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 553-7500
Grades: 6-8
| 936 students
Rank: #2828.
Holly Ridge Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
950 Holly Springs Road
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-1335
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-1335
Grades: 6-8
| 994 students
Rank: #2929.
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
| 958 students
Rank: #3030.
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
| 628 students
Rank: #3131.
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
| 898 students
Rank: #3232.
Holly Grove Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1401 Avent Ferry Road
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 567-4177
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 567-4177
Grades: 6-8
| 935 students
Rank: #3333.
Archer Lodge Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
762 Wendell Rd
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 553-0714
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 553-0714
Grades: 6-8
| 1,219 students
Rank: #3434.
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
| 447 students
Rank: #35 - 3635. - 36.
East Wake Academy
Charter School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
821 Charter School Way
Zebulon, NC 27597
(919) 404-0444
Zebulon, NC 27597
(919) 404-0444
Grades: K-12
| 1,227 students
Show 37 more public schools in Wake County, NC (out of 72 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
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
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 Wake County, NC?
The top ranked public middle schools in Wake County, NC include Quest Academy, Mills Park Middle School and Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy. Wake County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public middle schools are located in Wake County?
72 public middle schools are located in Wake County.
What is the racial composition of students in Wake County?
Wake County public middle schools minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 56% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Wake County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Wake County include: North Garner Middle School vs. East Garner Middle School, Rise Southeast Raleigh Charter vs. Preeminent Charter, Wendell Middle School vs. Zebulon Middle School
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