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
Enrollment
2,060
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Athens Drive High — Students at Athens Drive High score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.1%
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: 1.8/10.
How Athens Drive High Compares
See how Athens Drive High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 28% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 63.8% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (919) 233-4050
- 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
- #168 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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