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Average

#1568 of 2,648 schools in NC

Holly Springs High

High School · Wake County Schools

5329 Cass Holt Road, Holly Springs, NC 27540

Enrollment

2,111

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Holly Springs

#8 of 9

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#185 of 579

In district

#141 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Holly Springs High

Holly Springs High serves 2,111 students in grades 9-12 in the thriving suburban community of Holly Springs, North Carolina. This large public high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.9:1 with 106 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a comprehensive educational experience in Wake County. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking in the 84th percentile statewide at #435 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools.

Students show particularly impressive results in English Language Arts, with 82% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 68% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. These outcomes reflect the school's solid academic foundation and commitment to student achievement. Holly Springs High draws from an affluent and highly educated community where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding 27540 zip code area features a median household income of $121,108 and median home values of $442,100, with a notably low poverty rate of just 5%. This economically stable environment of 44,843 residents supports a culture that values education and provides students with strong community resources. The school sits on Cass Holt Road in this large suburban setting, serving families in one of North Carolina's most prosperous and education-focused communities.

What Parents Should Know

Holly Springs High is a large school with 2,111 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 Progress3.3Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.1%
Math vs. State Avg-9.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.5 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected-5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation37%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,859

Holly Springs High — Students at Holly Springs High score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.8%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 75.4%
School
State
53.6%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
70%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
74%
2025
Math
46.5%
ELA
82.1%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Holly Springs High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
41th percentile in NC
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
106 teachers

Location

5329 Cass Holt Road, Holly Springs, NC 27540

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Holly Springs High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Southern Wake Academy (rated 5.3/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Fuquay-Varina High (rated 5.3/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Fuquay-Varina), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Holly Springs, see our Holly Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Holly Grove Middle Holly Springs 0.2 mi 7.4
Holly Grove Elementary Holly Springs 0.3 mi 8.1
Buckhorn Creek Elementary Holly Springs 0.7 mi 8.8
Southern Wake Academy Holly Springs 2.0 mi 5.3
Holly Springs Elementary Holly Springs 2.3 mi 7.4
Oakview Elementary Apex 2.5 mi 8.6
Holly Ridge Elementary Holly Springs 2.5 mi 7.3
Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs 2.6 mi 7.0
Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina 2.6 mi 6.5
Herbert Akins Rd Elementary Fuquay-Varina 2.6 mi 7.4
Pine Springs Preparatory Academy Holly Springs 3.6 mi 6.2
Lincoln Heights Elementary Fuquay-Varina 3.4 mi 8.8
Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina 3.6 mi 5.3
NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs 3.9 mi 8.4
Fuquay-Varina Middle Fuquay-Varina 4.3 mi 6.8
Northwest Harnett Elementary Fuquay-Varina 4.8 mi 7.7
Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina 4.5 mi 9.0
Apex Elementary Apex 6.4 mi 7.0
West Lake Elementary Apex 5.4 mi 7.0
Lufkin Road Middle Apex 6.4 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$125,681

Median Home Value

$474,700

Median Rent

$1,718/mo

Population

45,993

College Educated

64.7%

Homeownership

84.5%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

36.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Holly Springs High has a median household income of $125,681. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $474,700, with a median rent of $1,718/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Cuthbertson High Waxhaw, NC 6.1
Hillside High Durham, NC 6.1
Jacksonville High Jacksonville, NC 6.1
Page High Greensboro, NC 6.1
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology Charlotte, NC 6.1
William Amos Hough High Cornelius, NC 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Holly Springs High

What grades does Holly Springs High serve?

Holly Springs High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Holly Springs High?

Holly Springs High has an enrollment of approximately 2,111 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Holly Springs High?

The student-teacher ratio at Holly Springs High is 19.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Holly Springs High rank in NC?

Holly Springs High is ranked #1568 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Holly Springs High's MySchoolScout rating?

Holly Springs High has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Holly Springs High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Holly Springs High has 57.8% math proficiency and 75.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Holly Springs High a charter school?

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

Is Holly Springs High a Title I school?

No, Holly Springs High is not currently a Title I school.

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

13.5% of students at Holly Springs 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 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
2,111
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
106
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.5%
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
#141 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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