Skip to main content

Average

#1526 of 2,648 schools in NC

Apex Friendship High

High School · Wake County Schools

7801 Humie Olive Rd, Apex, NC 27502

Enrollment

2,761

Student-Teacher

20.6:1

Score

6.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Apex

#17 of 21

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#169 of 579

In district

#137 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic performance

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Apex Friendship High

Apex Friendship High serves 2,761 students in grades 9-12 in Apex, North Carolina, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1 and a staff of 134 full-time equivalent teachers. This public high school has earned recognition as a top performer in Wake County, ranking #439 out of 2,661 schools statewide and placing in the 84th percentile with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. Academically, Apex Friendship High demonstrates excellent student achievement, earning a 9.4 out of 10 academic score.

Students consistently perform well on state assessments, with 85% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 73% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to rigorous academic standards and effective instruction across all grade levels. The school draws students from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $130,683 and 65% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

With a low poverty rate of just 3.3% and median home values of $445,600, the surrounding area reflects strong community investment in education. Apex Friendship High is situated in a rural setting near the town of Apex, providing students with a blend of small-town charm and access to the greater Research Triangle region's opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Apex Friendship High is a large school with 2,761 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Apex Friendship High is 20.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Apex Friendship High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.8%
Math vs. State Avg+3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+31.2 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation38.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,859

Apex Friendship High — Students at Apex Friendship High score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.2%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 80.3%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
77%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
81%
2025
Math
59.5%
ELA
84.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.9/10.

How Apex Friendship High Compares

See how Apex Friendship High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
42th percentile in NC
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
11%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
134 teachers

Location

7801 Humie Olive Rd, Apex, NC 27502

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Apex Friendship High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Salem Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakview Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Apex Friendship Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Apex, see our Apex schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Apex Friendship Middle Apex 0.2 mi 7.4
Apex Friendship Elementary Apex 0.3 mi 8.5
Scotts Ridge Elementary Apex 2.1 mi 8.2
Olive Chapel Elementary Apex 2.5 mi 7.8
ST MARY MAGDALENE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Apex 2.6 mi 7.1
The Math and Science Academy of Apex Apex 3.2 mi 8.2
Apex Elementary Apex 3.3 mi 7.0
MONTESSORI CREATIVE LEARNING SCHOOL Apex 3.5 mi
Oakview Elementary Apex 3.7 mi 8.6
Peak Charter Academy Apex 4.0 mi 6.5
Baucom Elementary Apex 4.0 mi 7.7
Apex Middle Apex 3.9 mi 6.2
Green Level High Cary 4.9 mi 6.3
THALES ACADEMY APEX K-5 Apex 4.5 mi 5.3
Pine Springs Preparatory Academy Holly Springs 4.4 mi 6.2
Turner Creek Elementary Cary 5.3 mi 7.1
White Oak Elementary Apex 5.5 mi 8.1
Salem Elementary Apex 5.0 mi 8.7
Lufkin Road Middle Apex 4.7 mi 5.5
Salem Middle Apex 5.2 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27502 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$137,088

Median Home Value

$491,900

Median Rent

$1,786/mo

Population

47,436

College Educated

66%

Homeownership

81.4%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

2.8%

Median Age

37.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Apex Friendship High has a median household income of $137,088. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $491,900, with a median rent of $1,786/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
C E Jordan High Durham, NC 6.2
Green Hope High Cary, NC 6.2
Providence High School Charlotte, NC 6.2
Ronald W Reagan High School Pfafftown, NC 6.2
Green Level High Cary, NC 6.3
Hickory Ridge High Harrisburg, NC 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Apex Friendship High

What grades does Apex Friendship High serve?

Apex Friendship High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Apex Friendship High?

Apex Friendship High has an enrollment of approximately 2,761 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Apex Friendship High?

The student-teacher ratio at Apex Friendship High is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Apex Friendship High rank in NC?

Apex Friendship High is ranked #1526 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Apex Friendship High's MySchoolScout rating?

Apex Friendship High has a composite rating of 6.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Apex Friendship High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Apex Friendship High has 71.2% math proficiency and 80.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Apex Friendship High a charter school?

No, Apex Friendship High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Apex Friendship High a Title I school?

No, Apex Friendship High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Apex Friendship High?

11.4% of students at Apex Friendship High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (115/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,761
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
134
Free/Reduced Lunch
11.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Wake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wake County Schools
District Enrollment
161,481
Schools in District
197
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,691
District Rank
#137 of 194

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.