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Average

#1853 of 2,648 schools in NC

Apex High

High School · Wake County Schools

1501 Laura Duncan Road, Apex, NC 27502

Enrollment

2,434

Student-Teacher

19.3:1

Score

5.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Apex

#19 of 21

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#249 of 579

In district

#159 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic performance

7.0 / 10

Strong

About Apex High

Apex High serves 2,434 students in grades 9-12 in Apex, North Carolina, earning a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 76th percentile among North Carolina high schools. With 126 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for a large suburban high school. Academically, Apex High demonstrates strong performance with an 8.9 out of 10 academic score.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 75% achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels, while 63% meet proficiency standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success. The school draws from an affluent and highly educated community in the 27502 ZIP code, 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 area reflects a stable, education-focused environment that supports student achievement. Located on Laura Duncan Road in Wake County's large suburban setting, Apex High benefits from being part of a thriving community that values educational excellence and provides strong family support for academic pursuits.

What Parents Should Know

Apex High is a large school with 2,434 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.5Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75.3%
Math vs. State Avg-9.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.7 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation35.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,859

Apex High — Students at Apex High score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.3%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 74.1%
School
State
53.6%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
81%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
86%
ELA
73%
2025
Math
46.9%
ELA
75.3%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Apex High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
30th percentile in NC
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
1.5/10
Below average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
126 teachers

Location

1501 Laura Duncan Road, Apex, NC 27502

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Apex High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Salem Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Laurel Park Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY-PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Cary), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Apex, see our Apex schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
THALES ACADEMY APEX K-5 Apex 0.6 mi 5.3
PEACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Apex 0.9 mi
ST ANDREWS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Apex 0.9 mi
Salem Middle Apex 1.1 mi 7.1
Salem Elementary Apex 1.1 mi 8.7
Laurel Park Elementary Apex 1.1 mi 8.1
Baucom Elementary Apex 1.1 mi 7.7
Apex Middle Apex 1.4 mi 6.2
GROVE SCHOOL OF CARY Cary 1.5 mi
Lufkin Road Middle Apex 1.8 mi 5.5
MONTESSORI CREATIVE LEARNING SCHOOL Apex 1.6 mi
Peak Charter Academy Apex 1.7 mi 6.5
Apex Elementary Apex 2.0 mi 7.0
Triangle Math and Science Academy Cary 1.9 mi 6.3
MARIPOSA SCHOOL Cary 1.9 mi
Davis Drive Middle Cary 2.4 mi 6.6
Davis Drive Elementary Cary 2.5 mi 6.7
CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY-PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY Cary 2.6 mi 7.9
ST MARY MAGDALENE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Apex 2.5 mi 7.1
KNOWLEDGE BEGINNINGS SCHOOL Cary 3.0 mi

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 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
Enloe High Raleigh, NC 5.6
John T Hoggard High Wilmington, NC 5.6
Roberson High Asheville, NC 5.6
Butler High School Matthews, NC 5.5
Cary High Cary, NC 5.5
Millbrook High Raleigh, NC 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Apex High

What grades does Apex High serve?

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

How many students attend Apex High?

Apex High has an enrollment of approximately 2,434 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Apex High?

The student-teacher ratio at Apex High is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Apex High rank in NC?

Apex High is ranked #1853 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Apex High's MySchoolScout rating?

Apex High has a composite rating of 5.6 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Apex High has 71.3% math proficiency and 74.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Apex High a charter school?

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

Is Apex High a Title I school?

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

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

22.0% of students at Apex 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
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 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
2,434
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
126
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
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
#159 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

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