Average
#1982 of 2,648 schools in NC
Southern Wake Academy
High School · Southern Wake Academy
5108 Old Powell Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Enrollment
553
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
553
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Holly Springs
#9 of 9
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#298 of 579
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern Wake Academy
Southern Wake Academy is a charter high school located in Holly Springs, North Carolina, within Wake County. The school serves students from sixth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 553 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1. This ensures that each teacher can provide individual attention to their students.
Southern Wake Academy’s academic performance places it in the 37th percentile among North Carolina schools, reflecting areas for improvement in both ELA/Reading and Math proficiency levels. The school is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where students can develop academically and personally. With its strong emphasis on community engagement and student development, Southern Wake Academy continues to work towards enhancing its educational offerings.
The campus is situated in a large suburban area, providing a blend of residential tranquility and easy access to local amenities. This setting offers a balanced atmosphere for learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
Southern Wake Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Southern Wake Academy — Students at Southern Wake Academy score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 5.6/10.
How Southern Wake Academy Compares
See how Southern Wake Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 34% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 55.4% (2025).
Location
5108 Old Powell Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Wake Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Holly Springs High (rated 6.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fuquay-Varina High (rated 5.3/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Fuquay-Varina), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Holly Springs, see our Holly Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Herbert Akins Rd Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Lincoln Heights Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 1.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Buckhorn Creek Elementary Holly Springs | 1.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Holly Springs High Holly Springs | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Holly Grove Middle Holly Springs | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Fuquay-Varina Middle Fuquay-Varina | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Holly Grove Elementary Holly Springs | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Holly Ridge Elementary Holly Springs | 2.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Holly Springs Elementary Holly Springs | 3.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 2.7 mi | 9.0 |
| NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs | 3.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Northwest Harnett Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 3.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 3.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Oakview Elementary Apex | 4.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Pine Springs Preparatory Academy Holly Springs | 4.7 mi | 6.2 |
| West Lake Middle Apex | 4.7 mi | 6.0 |
| West Lake Elementary Apex | 4.7 mi | 7.0 |
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 Southern Wake Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| Piedmont Classical High School Browns Summit, NC | 5.3 |
| Polk County High School Columbus, NC | 5.3 |
| School of Inquiry and Life Sciences Asheville, NC | 5.3 |
| THALES ACADEMY Rolesville, NC | 5.3 |
| West Lincoln High Lincolnton, NC | 5.3 |
| West Wilkes High School Millers Creek, NC | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Wake Academy
What grades does Southern Wake Academy serve?
Southern Wake Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Southern Wake Academy?
Southern Wake Academy has an enrollment of approximately 553 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Wake Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Wake Academy is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Wake Academy rank in NC?
Southern Wake Academy is ranked #1982 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Southern Wake Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Wake Academy has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Southern Wake Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Wake Academy has 39.0% math proficiency and 54.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southern Wake Academy a charter school?
Yes, Southern Wake Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Southern Wake Academy a Title I school?
No, Southern Wake Academy is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (115/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 553
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 567-9955
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southern Wake Academy- District Enrollment
- 553
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,038
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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