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Very Good

#824 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 31% in state

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

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#824 of 2,648

In Wake Forest

#10 of 14

public schools

In district

#98 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Wake Forest High School

7.3/10

High School in Wake Forest · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Wake Forest Elementary

5.3/10

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

St Catherine of Siena Catholic School

5.5/10

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

About Wake Forest High School

Wake Forest High School is a public high school in Wake Forest, NC, part of Wake County Schools. Wake Forest High School serves approximately 2,075 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Wake Forest High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #824 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Wake Forest High School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Wake Forest High School is a large school: 2,075 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+20.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.3 pts
Overall Proficiency72% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation28.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691
Chronic Absenteeism28.2%

Wake Forest High School — Students at Wake Forest High School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 66.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
64%
2013
Math
35%
ELA
63%
2014
Math
49%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
49%
ELA
58%
2016
Math
51%
ELA
60%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
60%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
61%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
61%
ELA
71%
2025
Math
76.7%
ELA
67.9%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Wake Forest High School Compares

See how Wake Forest High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
69th percentile in NC
Academic
8.4/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
20
9 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
110 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
28.9% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics20sports offered
9 boys'·11 girls'·39 teams (incl. JV)·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

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 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Heritage High (rated 7.8/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wakefield High (rated 6.8/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Raleigh), with a comparable 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 5.3
ST CATHERINE OF SIENA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Wake Forest 0.8 mi 5.5
Richland Creek Elementary Wake Forest 1.5 mi 8.9
Wake Forest Charter Academy Wake Forest 1.7 mi 6.7
North Wake College and Career Academy Wake Forest 1.6 mi 7.8
Envision Science Academy Wake Forest 1.7 mi 9.1
Wake Forest Middle School Wake Forest 2.2 mi 4.2
Heritage Middle Wake Forest 2.4 mi 8.3
Wake Preparatory Academy Wake Forest 2.5 mi
Heritage Elementary Wake Forest 2.6 mi 8.0
Franklin Academy Wake Forest 2.5 mi 7.9
Heritage High Wake Forest 3.0 mi 7.8
Forest Pines Drive Elementary Raleigh 2.8 mi 4.5
North Forest Pines Elementary Raleigh 2.8 mi 6.8
Youngsville Elementary Youngsville 3.2 mi 7.2
Jones Dairy Elementary Wake Forest 3.4 mi 8.7
Casa Esperanza Montessori Charter School Wake Forest 4.0 mi 4.3
GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT SPRUCE TREE Raleigh 4.0 mi
Wakefield Elementary Raleigh 4.0 mi 5.4
Wakefield High Raleigh 4.0 mi 6.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hickory Ridge High Harrisburg, NC 7.3
Millbrook High Raleigh, NC 7.3
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology Charlotte, NC 7.3
Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina, NC 7.2
Porter Ridge High School Indian Trail, NC 7.2
Apex High Apex, NC 7.4

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 ranks #824 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Wake Forest High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Wake Forest High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Wake Forest High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wake Forest High School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.2%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

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