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
Enrollment
2,434
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Apex High — Students at Apex High score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 46.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 74% (2019) to 75.3% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (919) 387-2208
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wake County Schools- District Enrollment
- 161,481
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,691
- District Rank
- #159 of 194
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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