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Excellent

#262 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 10% in state

South Lakes Elementary

Elementary School · Wake County Schools

1449 Old Honeycutt Road, Fuquay-varina, NC 27526

Enrollment

782

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#262 of 2,648

In Fuquay-varina

#2 of 12

public schools

In district

#41 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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South Lakes Elementary

8.4/10

Elementary School in Fuquay-varina · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Willow Spring High

4.4/10

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

Willow Springs Elementary

8.2/10

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

About South Lakes Elementary

South Lakes Elementary is a public elementary school in Fuquay-varina, NC, part of Wake County Schools. South Lakes Elementary serves approximately 782 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. South Lakes Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #262 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for South Lakes Elementary show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.1
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.97 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+2.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691
Chronic Absenteeism27.7%

South Lakes Elementary — Students at South Lakes Elementary score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.0% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 57.6% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 14 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2020*
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
53.7%
2025
Math
66.1%
ELA
60.8%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How South Lakes Elementary Compares

See how South Lakes Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
90th percentile in NC
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
6.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.7%

Programs & Offerings

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

1449 Old Honeycutt Road, Fuquay-varina, NC 27526

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Lakes Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ballentine Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Willow Springs Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Willow Spring), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lincoln Heights Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Fuquay-varina, see our Fuquay-varina schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Willow Spring High Fuquay-Varina 0.6 mi 4.4
Willow Springs Elementary Willow Spring 1.2 mi 8.2
Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina 1.6 mi 7.0
Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina 2.7 mi 8.4
Carolina Charter Academy Angier 3.3 mi 7.4
Fuquay-Varina Middle Fuquay-Varina 2.8 mi 7.1
HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fuquay-Varina 3.4 mi 5.7
Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina 3.1 mi 7.2
Banks Road Elementary Raleigh 4.0 mi 5.5
Lincoln Heights Elementary Fuquay-Varina 3.7 mi 8.1
Herbert Akins Rd Elementary Fuquay-Varina 4.2 mi 7.9
Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina 4.3 mi 6.9
Angier Elementary Angier 5.5 mi 4.8
Southern Wake Academy Holly Springs 4.7 mi 5.7
West Lake Middle Apex 5.5 mi 5.2
West Lake Elementary Apex 5.6 mi 7.4
NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs 5.6 mi 8.4
Middle Creek High Apex 6.0 mi 7.4
Achievement Charter Academy Fuquay-Varina 5.4 mi 4.8
Middle Creek Elementary Apex 6.2 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27526 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,055

Median Home Value

$372,300

Median Rent

$1,591/mo

Population

59,306

College Educated

45.9%

Homeownership

80.7%

Avg Commute

33.1 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

39

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina, NC 8.4
Beverly Woods Elementary Charlotte, NC 8.4
Colfax Elementary Colfax, NC 8.4
Creekside Elementary New Bern, NC 8.4
Elizabeth Lane Elementary Matthews, NC 8.4
Farmington Woods Elementary Cary, NC 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Lakes Elementary

What grades does South Lakes Elementary serve?

South Lakes Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend South Lakes Elementary?

South Lakes Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 782 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Lakes Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at South Lakes Elementary is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Lakes Elementary rank in NC?

South Lakes Elementary ranks #262 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is South Lakes Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

South Lakes Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 South Lakes Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Lakes Elementary has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

Is South Lakes Elementary a charter school?

No, South Lakes Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Lakes Elementary a Title I school?

No, South Lakes Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Lakes Elementary?

25.1% of students at South Lakes Elementary 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
782
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Wake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.7%

District

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

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