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Average

#1639 of 2,648 schools in NC

Southern Wake Academy

High School · Southern Wake Academy

5108 Old Powell Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540

Charter

Enrollment

553

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

5.7

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,639 of 2,648

In Holly Springs

#9 of 9

public schools

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Southern Wake Academy

5.7/10

High School in Holly Springs · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Herbert Akins Rd Elementary

7.9/10

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

Herbert Akins Road Middle

6.9/10

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

About Southern Wake Academy

Southern Wake Academy is a public high school in Holly Springs, NC, part of Southern Wake Academy. Southern Wake Academy serves approximately 553 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Wake Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,639 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Southern Wake Academy show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below NC schools
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Southern Wake Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-9.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)77% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-25.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness5.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation5.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,038
Chronic Absenteeism20.4%

Southern Wake Academy — Students at Southern Wake Academy score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 56.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
69.5%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
34.5%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
35.6%
ELA
45.6%
2025
Math
46%
ELA
56.6%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Southern Wake Academy Compares

See how Southern Wake Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
38th percentile in NC
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
5.1% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fuquay-Varina High (rated 7.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Fuquay-Varina), which scores notably higher. 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 7.9
Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina 1.1 mi 6.9
Lincoln Heights Elementary Fuquay-Varina 1.6 mi 8.1
Buckhorn Creek Elementary Holly Springs 1.5 mi 9.2
Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina 1.6 mi 7.2
Holly Springs High Holly Springs 2.0 mi 7.8
Holly Grove Middle Holly Springs 2.1 mi 8.0
Fuquay-Varina Middle Fuquay-Varina 2.3 mi 7.1
Holly Grove Elementary Holly Springs 2.2 mi 8.8
Holly Ridge Elementary Holly Springs 2.9 mi 8.9
Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs 3.0 mi 7.4
Holly Springs Elementary Holly Springs 3.1 mi 9.0
Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina 2.7 mi 8.4
NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs 3.4 mi 8.4
Northwest Harnett Elementary Fuquay-Varina 3.9 mi 7.4
Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina 3.5 mi 7.0
Oakview Elementary Apex 4.4 mi 9.2
Pine Springs Preparatory Academy Holly Springs 4.7 mi 8.0
West Lake Middle Apex 4.7 mi 5.2
West Lake Elementary Apex 4.7 mi 7.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford, NC 5.7
Mitchell High Bakersville, NC 5.7
Perquimans County High Hertford, NC 5.7
Rosewood High Goldsboro, NC 5.7
South Granville High Creedmoor, NC 5.7
South Lenoir High Deep Run, NC 5.7

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 ranks #1,639 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Southern Wake Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Wake Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Southern Wake Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Wake Academy has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.4%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Southern Wake Academy
District Enrollment
553
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,038
District Rank
#1 of 1

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