Average
#1968 of 2,648 schools in NC
Wake Forest High School
High School · Wake County Schools
420 West Stadium Drive, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Enrollment
2,075
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,075
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wake Forest
#11 of 14
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#293 of 579
In district
#169 of 194
Wake County Schools
About Wake Forest High School
Wake Forest High School serves 2,075 students in grades 9-12 in Wake County, offering a comprehensive high school experience with a student-teacher ratio of 18.9:1 and 110 full-time teachers. The school earns a solid 6.9 out of 10 rating and ranks in the 70th percentile among North Carolina high schools, reflecting steady academic performance in this competitive educational landscape. Students demonstrate strong literacy skills, with 68% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading across grade levels.
Mathematics performance shows 56% of students reaching proficiency or above, indicating room for continued growth in STEM areas. The school's academic score of 8.5 out of 10 suggests a learning environment that supports student achievement across multiple measures. Located on West Stadium Drive in Wake Forest, the school sits within an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $116,593 and 56% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding 27587 zip code area maintains a low poverty rate of just 4.5%, with median home values of $412,100, reflecting the community's economic stability. Wake Forest High School operates in this thriving large suburban setting, serving families in an established North Carolina community that values education and provides strong socioeconomic support for student success.
What Parents Should Know
Wake Forest High School is a large school with 2,075 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Wake Forest High School — Students at Wake Forest High School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.2/10.
How Wake Forest High School Compares
See how Wake Forest High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 36.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67.9% (2025).
Location
420 West Stadium Drive, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wake Forest High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. North Wake College and Career Academy (rated 7.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Heritage High (rated 5.7/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Wakefield High (rated 5.3/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Raleigh), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Wake Forest, see our Wake Forest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest Elementary Wake Forest | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| ST CATHERINE OF SIENA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Wake Forest | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Richland Creek Elementary Wake Forest | 1.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Wake Forest Charter Academy Wake Forest | 1.7 mi | 3.6 |
| North Wake College and Career Academy Wake Forest | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Envision Science Academy Wake Forest | 1.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Wake Forest Middle School Wake Forest | 2.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Heritage Middle Wake Forest | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Wake Preparatory Academy Wake Forest | 2.5 mi | — |
| Heritage Elementary Wake Forest | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Franklin Academy Wake Forest | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Heritage High Wake Forest | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Forest Pines Drive Elementary Raleigh | 2.8 mi | 5.1 |
| North Forest Pines Elementary Raleigh | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Youngsville Elementary Youngsville | 3.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Jones Dairy Elementary Wake Forest | 3.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Casa Esperanza Montessori Charter School Wake Forest | 4.0 mi | 4.6 |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT SPRUCE TREE Raleigh | 4.0 mi | — |
| Wakefield Elementary Raleigh | 4.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Wakefield High Raleigh | 4.0 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27587 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$125,607
Median Home Value
$452,400
Median Rent
$1,415/mo
Population
81,902
College Educated
56.4%
Homeownership
81.1%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wake Forest High School has a median household income of $125,607. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $452,400, with a median rent of $1,415/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Athens Drive High Raleigh, NC | 5.4 |
| Ben L. Smith High School Greensboro, NC | 5.4 |
| East Mecklenburg High School Charlotte, NC | 5.4 |
| Leesville Road High Raleigh, NC | 5.4 |
| Middle Creek High Apex, NC | 5.4 |
| Olympic High School Charlotte, NC | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wake Forest High School
What grades does Wake Forest High School serve?
Wake Forest High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Wake Forest High School?
Wake Forest High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,075 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wake Forest High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Wake Forest High School is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wake Forest High School rank in NC?
Wake Forest High School is ranked #1968 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Wake Forest High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Wake Forest High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Wake Forest High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wake Forest High School has 51.4% math proficiency and 67.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wake Forest High School a charter school?
No, Wake Forest High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wake Forest High School a Title I school?
No, Wake Forest High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wake Forest High School?
30.3% of students at Wake Forest High School 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,075
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 110
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 554-8611
- 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
- #169 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.