Excellent
#369 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 14% 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
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
782
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fuquay-varina
#3 of 10
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#333 of 1,474
In district
#42 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About South Lakes Elementary
South Lakes Elementary is a public elementary school in Fuquay-varina, NC, part of the Wake County Schools. The school serves approximately 782 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 86.1th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 62% proficiency in math, 3 points above the state average and 59% in reading/language arts, 7 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $105,055, where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
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South Lakes Elementary — Students at South Lakes Elementary score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How South Lakes Elementary Compares
See how South Lakes Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 46% (2021) to 66.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 53% (2021) to 60.6% (2025).
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 9.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lincoln Heights Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fuquay-Varina Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar 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 | 3.8 |
| Willow Springs Elementary Willow Spring | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 1.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 2.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Carolina Charter Academy Angier | 3.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Fuquay-Varina Middle Fuquay-Varina | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fuquay-Varina | 3.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Banks Road Elementary Raleigh | 4.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Lincoln Heights Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 3.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Herbert Akins Rd Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 4.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina | 4.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Angier Elementary Angier | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Southern Wake Academy Holly Springs | 4.7 mi | 5.3 |
| West Lake Middle Apex | 5.5 mi | 6.0 |
| West Lake Elementary Apex | 5.6 mi | 7.0 |
| NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs | 5.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Middle Creek High Apex | 6.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Achievement Charter Academy Fuquay-Varina | 5.4 mi | 2.1 |
| Middle Creek Elementary Apex | 6.2 mi | 7.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Lakes Elementary has a median household income of $105,055. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $372,300, with a median rent of $1,591/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee, NC | 8.2 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory, NC | 8.2 |
| Coopers Elementary Elm City, NC | 8.2 |
| Cornelius Elementary Cornelius, NC | 8.2 |
| Creech Road Elementary Garner, NC | 8.2 |
| Creekside Elementary Winterville, NC | 8.2 |
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 is ranked #369 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Lakes Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Lakes Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 South Lakes Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Lakes Elementary has 62.1% math proficiency and 59.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fuquay-varina). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 694-8066
- 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
- #42 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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