Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.9%
Math vs. State Avg-19.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.3 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness9.4Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation28.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,859

Wake Forest High School — Students at Wake Forest High School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

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 51.4%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
61%
ELA
71%
2025
Math
36.1%
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: 2.2/10.

How Wake Forest High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
26th percentile in NC
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
2.2/10
Below average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
110 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,455/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wake Forest). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

Related 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.