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Very Good

#770 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 29% in state

Apex High

High School · Wake County Schools

1501 Laura Duncan Road, Apex, NC 27502

Enrollment

2,434

Student-Teacher

19.3:1

Score

7.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#770 of 2,648

In Apex

#14 of 21

public schools

In district

#92 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Apex High

7.4/10

High School in Apex · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Thales Academy Apex K-5

5.3/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Peace Montessori School

Nearby

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Apex High

Apex High is a public high school in Apex, NC, part of Wake County Schools. Apex High serves approximately 2,434 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Apex High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #770 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Apex High show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Apex High is a large school: 2,434 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency75.3% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+22.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.7 pts
Overall Proficiency77% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)70% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College Readiness8.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate96%
AP Participation35.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691
Chronic Absenteeism23.2%

Apex High — Students at Apex High score 77% 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

22%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 76.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
96%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
97%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
96%
ELA
96%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
68%
ELA
76%
2015
Math
74%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
73%
ELA
70%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
68%
2018
Math
81%
ELA
74%
2019
Math
81%
ELA
74%
2020*
Math
86%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
86%
ELA
73%
2025
Math
78.9%
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: 7.7/10.

How Apex High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
71th percentile in NC
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
18
8 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
126 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
35.1% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
8 boys'·10 girls'·39 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Davis Drive Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Cary), which scores notably higher. Another option is Baucom Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Davis Drive Middle (rated 8.7/10, 2.4 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 7.7
Salem Elementary Apex 1.1 mi 7.0
Laurel Park Elementary Apex 1.1 mi 7.7
Baucom Elementary Apex 1.1 mi 8.8
Apex Middle Apex 1.4 mi 6.8
GROVE SCHOOL OF CARY Cary 1.5 mi
Lufkin Road Middle Apex 1.8 mi 6.2
MONTESSORI CREATIVE LEARNING SCHOOL Apex 1.6 mi
Peak Charter Academy Apex 1.7 mi 7.9
Apex Elementary Apex 2.0 mi 7.5
Triangle Math and Science Academy Cary 1.9 mi 7.9
MARIPOSA SCHOOL Cary 1.9 mi
Davis Drive Middle Cary 2.4 mi 8.7
Davis Drive Elementary Cary 2.5 mi 8.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
John T Hoggard High Wilmington, NC 7.4
Middle Creek High Apex, NC 7.4
Ronald W Reagan High School Pfafftown, NC 7.4
D H Conley High Greenville, NC 7.5
Hickory Ridge High Harrisburg, NC 7.3
Millbrook High Raleigh, NC 7.3

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 ranks #770 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Apex High's MySchoolScout rating?

Apex High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Apex High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Apex High has 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.2%
4-Year Graduation
96.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

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