For the 2025 school year, there are 112 public preschools serving 67,004 students in Wake County, NC. The top ranked public preschools in Wake County, NC are White Oak Elementary School, Green Hope Elementary School and Highcroft Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wake County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Wake County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is equal to the North Carolina public preschool average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Wake County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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
| 778 students
Rank: #22.
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
| 605 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
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
| 721 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
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
| 702 students
Rank: #55.
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
| 982 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
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
| 773 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
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
| 720 students
Rank: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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
| 791 students
Rank: #1111.
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: #1212.
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
| 1,047 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Jones Dairy Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1100 Jones Dairy Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 562-6181
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 562-6181
Grades: PK-5
| 582 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Parkside Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
332 Parkside Valley Dr
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 694-7888
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 694-7888
Grades: PK-5
| 871 students
Rank: #1515.
Holly Grove Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1451 Avent Ferry Road
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-1700
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 577-1700
Grades: PK-5
| 907 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Baucom Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
400 Hunter St
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 387-2168
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 387-2168
Grades: PK-5
| 506 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Pleasant Union Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1900 Pleasant Union Church Roa
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 870-4230
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 870-4230
Grades: PK-5
| 542 students
Rank: #1818.
Sycamore Creek Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
10921 Leesville Rd
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 841-4333
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 841-4333
Grades: PK-5
| 786 students
Rank: #1919.
Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3500 Rogers Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 562-6000
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 562-6000
Grades: PK-5
| 622 students
Rank: #2020.
Abbotts Creek Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9900 Durant Road
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 694-0555
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 694-0555
Grades: PK-5
| 801 students
Rank: #2121.
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: #2222.
Briarcliff Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1220 Pond St
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3443
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3443
Grades: PK-5
| 448 students
Rank: #2323.
Weatherstone Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1000 Olde Weatherstone Way
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 380-6988
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 380-6988
Grades: PK-5
| 693 students
Rank: #2424.
Root Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3202 Northampton Street
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 881-4940
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 881-4940
Grades: PK-5
| 472 students
Rank: #2525.
Carpenter Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2100 Morrisville Parkway
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 462-6780
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 462-6780
Grades: PK-5
| 657 students
Rank: #2626.
Farmington Woods Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1413 Hampton Valley Rd
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3469
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3469
Grades: PK-5
| 623 students
Rank: #2727.
Oakview Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
11500 Holly Springs New Hill R
Apex, NC 27539
(919) 694-8885
Apex, NC 27539
(919) 694-8885
Grades: PK-5
| 949 students
Rank: #2828.
Lacy Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2001 Lake Boone Trail
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 881-4920
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 881-4920
Grades: PK-5
| 686 students
Rank: #2929.
Olds Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
204 Dixie Trail
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 856-7699
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 856-7699
Grades: PK-5
| 277 students
Rank: #3030.
Buckhorn Creek Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5651 Honeycutt Rd
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 694-8970
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 694-8970
Grades: PK-5
| 761 students
Rank: #3131.
Salem Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6116 Old Jenks Road
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 363-2865
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 363-2865
Grades: PK-5
| 735 students
Rank: #3232.
Laurel Park Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2450 Laura Duncan Rd
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 290-2333
Apex, NC 27523
(919) 290-2333
Grades: PK-5
| 782 students
Rank: #3333.
Northwoods Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8850 Chapel Hill Road
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 460-3491
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 460-3491
Grades: PK-5
| 621 students
Rank: #3434.
North Forest Pines Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
11501 Forest Pines Drive
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 570-2220
Raleigh, NC 27614
(919) 570-2220
Grades: PK-5
| 554 students
Rank: #3535.
West Lake Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4500 West Lake Rd
Apex, NC 27539
(919) 662-2300
Apex, NC 27539
(919) 662-2300
Grades: PK-5
| 611 students
Show 77 more public schools in Wake County, NC (out of 112 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 preschools in Wake County, NC?
The top ranked public preschools in Wake County, NC include White Oak Elementary School, Green Hope Elementary School and Highcroft Elementary School. Wake County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public preschools are located in Wake County?
112 public preschools are located in Wake County.
What is the racial composition of students in Wake County?
Wake County public preschools minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is equal to the North Carolina public preschools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Wake County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Wake County include: Sanford Creek Elementary School vs. Rolesville Elementary School, Rolesville Elementary School vs. Sanford Creek Elementary School, Rand Road Elementary School vs. Aversboro Elementary School
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