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Average

#1967 of 2,648 schools in NC

Athens Drive High

High School · Wake County Schools

1420 Athens Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606

Enrollment

2,060

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Raleigh

#79 of 98

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#292 of 579

In district

#168 of 194

Wake County Schools

About Athens Drive High

Athens Drive High serves 2,060 students in grades 9-12 in Raleigh, offering a comprehensive high school experience with a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1 and 124 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #794 out of 2,661 North Carolina high schools, placing it in the 70th percentile statewide with a solid MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10. Academically, Athens Drive High demonstrates strong performance with an 8.0 academic score.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 64% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while math performance shows 50% of students reaching proficiency standards. These results reflect the school's commitment to supporting diverse learners as they work toward graduation readiness. The school draws from Wake County's 27606 zip code area, where the median household income is $71,701 and 57% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood's median home value of $392,800 reflects a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class community of 45,546 residents. Located on Athens Drive in North Carolina's capital city, the school benefits from Raleigh's urban resources and educational opportunities while serving a economically diverse student population.

What Parents Should Know

Athens Drive High is a large school with 2,060 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 Progress1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.8%
Math vs. State Avg-28 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.2 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected-15.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,859

Athens Drive High — Students at Athens Drive High score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 63.9%
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
53%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
69%
2025
Math
28%
ELA
63.8%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Athens Drive High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
26th percentile in NC
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
124 teachers

Location

1420 Athens Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Athens Drive High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Crossroads FLEX (rated 8.0/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Cary), which scores notably higher. Another option is CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wake STEM Early College High School (rated 5.9/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Cary), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Raleigh, see our Raleigh schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
LEARN WITH THE BEST SCHOOL, INC. Raleigh 0.6 mi 6.1
Combs Elementary Raleigh 0.7 mi 7.5
CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTER Raleigh 1.2 mi
Dillard Drive Elementary Raleigh 1.3 mi 5.8
Dillard Drive Middle Raleigh 1.3 mi 6.4
ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF RALEIGH Raleigh 1.5 mi 6.0
Mount Vernon Raleigh 1.6 mi 5.1
Centennial Campus Middle Raleigh 1.5 mi 4.8
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Raleigh 1.4 mi 5.8
AL-IMAN SCHOOL Raleigh 1.8 mi 7.4
AN-NOOR SCHOOL Raleigh 1.8 mi 8.6
THE RALEIGH SCHOOL Raleigh 2.0 mi 6.8
Crossroads FLEX Cary 1.8 mi 8.0
SCORE Academy Cary 1.8 mi 4.0
Connections Academy Cary 1.7 mi
RENAISSANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CARY Cary 1.8 mi
Wake STEM Early College High School Cary 1.9 mi 5.9
Swift Creek Elementary Raleigh 2.1 mi 8.7
Yates Mill Elementary Raleigh 2.4 mi 5.8
CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL Raleigh 2.6 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27606 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,640

Median Home Value

$423,900

Median Rent

$1,369/mo

Population

45,728

College Educated

58.5%

Homeownership

37.1%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

19.1%

Median Age

30.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Athens Drive High has a median household income of $75,640. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $423,900, with a median rent of $1,369/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.1%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Ben L. Smith High School Greensboro, NC 5.4
East Mecklenburg High School Charlotte, NC 5.4
Leesville Road High Raleigh, NC 5.4
Middle Creek High Apex, NC 5.4
Olympic High School Charlotte, NC 5.4
Porter Ridge High School Indian Trail, NC 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Athens Drive High

What grades does Athens Drive High serve?

Athens Drive High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Athens Drive High?

Athens Drive High has an enrollment of approximately 2,060 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Athens Drive High?

The student-teacher ratio at Athens Drive High is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Athens Drive High rank in NC?

Athens Drive High is ranked #1967 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Athens Drive High's MySchoolScout rating?

Athens Drive High has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Athens Drive High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Athens Drive High has 48.7% math proficiency and 63.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Athens Drive High a charter school?

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

Is Athens Drive High a Title I school?

No, Athens Drive High is not currently a Title I school.

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

44.1% of students at Athens Drive 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
28 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,315/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Raleigh). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,060
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
124
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
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
#168 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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