Best High Schools
in Raleigh, North Carolina
We ranked all 23 high schools in Raleigh. The top 22 scored between 4.1 and 8.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and North Carolina education data
Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy leads Raleigh's high school landscape with a composite score of 8.6 out of 10 — the strongest mark among 16 ranked schools in the metro. Vernon Malone College and Career Academy (8.1) and Raleigh Charter High School (7.1) round out the upper tier, with four schools total clearing the 7-point threshold. That's 25% of the ranked field hitting what most families consider strong performance territory. The average composite score across all 16 schools sits at 5.9 out of 10, which signals meaningful spread between the top performers and the middle of the pack. Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy (7.0) and Phillips High (5.8) illustrate that range well. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other key metrics — use it to find the schools that best match your student's priorities and your family's location.
Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy
Vernon Malone College and Career Academy
IRON ACADEMY
Score Distribution
Where the top 22 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Raleigh's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within North Carolina so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 22 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy Wake County Schools | 8.6 |
| 2 | Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Wake County Schools | 8.1 |
| 3 | IRON ACADEMY | 7.9 |
| 4 | SAINT MARY'S SCHOOL | 7.4 |
| 5 | Raleigh Charter High School Charter Raleigh Charter High School | 7.1 |
| 6 | Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy Wake County Schools | 7.0 |
| 7 | ST THOMAS MORE ACADEMY | 6.7 |
| 8 | CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL | 6.0 |
| 9 | Phillips High Wake County Schools | 5.8 |
| 10 | Longleaf School of the Arts Charter Longleaf School of the Arts | 5.7 |
| 11 | Enloe High Wake County Schools | 5.6 |
| 12 | Millbrook High Wake County Schools | 5.5 |
| 13 | Leesville Road High Wake County Schools | 5.4 |
| 14 | Athens Drive High Wake County Schools | 5.4 |
| 15 | Needham Broughton High Wake County Schools | 5.3 |
| 16 | Southeast Raleigh High Wake County Schools | 5.3 |
| 17 | Wakefield High Wake County Schools | 5.3 |
| 18 | WORD OF GOD FELLOWSHIP | 5.3 |
| 19 | Central Wake High School Charter Central Wake Charter High School | 5.2 |
| 20 | WORD OF GOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | 5.2 |
| 21 | Wake Early College of Health and Science Wake County Schools | 4.5 |
| 22 | Sanderson High Wake County Schools | 4.1 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and North Carolina education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in North Carolina. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 22 High Schools in Raleigh
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Raleigh's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Raleigh
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Raleigh's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in North Carolina, with 23 schools spanning 13 school districts, plus 3 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Raleigh, North Carolina?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy is the top-rated high school in Raleigh with a composite score of 8.6/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many high schools are in Raleigh, North Carolina?
Raleigh has 23 high schools, including 3 charter schools. Of these, 22 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Raleigh?
The average composite score for Raleigh high schools is 6.0/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in North Carolina).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). All scores are computed within North Carolina, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in North Carolina, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Raleigh high school rankings?
Yes. Raleigh has 3 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.