Average
#1693 of 2,648 schools in NC
Wake Stem Early College High School
High School · Wake County Schools
2205 Walnut Street, Cary, NC 27518
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – UG
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cary
#27 of 32
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#210 of 579
In district
#150 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Wake Stem Early College High School
Wake STEM Early College High School serves 282 students in grades 9 through undergraduate level in Cary, North Carolina. This specialized public high school operates with a student-teacher ratio of 20.1:1 and employs 14 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranking 126th among 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile.
Students achieve remarkable proficiency rates with 99% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and Reading, while 93% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. These outstanding results contribute to the school's impressive 9.9 out of 10 academic score. As an early college high school, Wake STEM offers students the unique opportunity to earn both high school diplomas and college credits simultaneously.
The school's STEM focus prepares students for advanced study and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Located at 2205 Walnut Street in the prosperous 27518 ZIP code, the school sits within a highly educated community where 72% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding area features a median household income of $117,647 and median home values of $546,200, with a low poverty rate of 5.9%.
Wake STEM Early College operates in the heart of Cary, a thriving mid-size city known for its commitment to education and family-friendly atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Wake Stem Early College High School is 20.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Wake Stem Early College High School — Students at Wake Stem Early College High School score 95% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.7%
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
→ 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: 3.7/10.
How Wake Stem Early College High School Compares
See how Wake Stem Early College High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 95% (2019) to 90.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 95% (2019) to 98.6% (2025).
Location
2205 Walnut Street, Cary, NC 27518
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wake Stem Early College High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Crossroads FLEX (rated 8.0/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cary High (rated 5.5/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Athens Drive High (rated 5.4/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Raleigh), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cary, see our Cary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Crossroads FLEX Cary | 0.1 mi | 8.0 |
| SCORE Academy Cary | 0.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Connections Academy Cary | 0.8 mi | — |
| Swift Creek Elementary Raleigh | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| RENAISSANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CARY Cary | 0.9 mi | — |
| Dillard Drive Middle Raleigh | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Raleigh | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Dillard Drive Elementary Raleigh | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF RALEIGH Raleigh | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Yates Mill Elementary Raleigh | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTER Raleigh | 1.4 mi | — |
| LEARN WITH THE BEST SCHOOL, INC. Raleigh | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Adams Elementary Cary | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Cary High Cary | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Athens Drive High Raleigh | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Farmington Woods Elementary Cary | 1.9 mi | 8.5 |
| East Cary Middle Cary | 2.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Mount Vernon Raleigh | 2.7 mi | 5.1 |
| TRUE ABALITIES LRNG. ACADEMY LLC Cary | 2.4 mi | — |
| THE RALEIGH SCHOOL Raleigh | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27518 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$121,242
Median Home Value
$594,900
Median Rent
$1,537/mo
Population
18,995
College Educated
72.1%
Homeownership
65.5%
Avg Commute
23.9 min
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Median Age
47.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wake Stem Early College High School has a median household income of $121,242. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $594,900, with a median rent of $1,537/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Piedmont Early College Charlotte, NC | 5.9 |
| Innovation Early College High Greenville, NC | 5.9 |
| Wilmington Early College High Castle Hayne, NC | 5.9 |
| Brunswick County Early College Supply, NC | 6.0 |
| Middle College at GTCC-High Point High Point, NC | 6.0 |
| Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson, NC | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wake Stem Early College High School
What grades does Wake Stem Early College High School serve?
Wake Stem Early College High School serves students in grades 9th through UG.
How many students attend Wake Stem Early College High School?
Wake Stem Early College High School has an enrollment of approximately 282 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wake Stem Early College High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Wake Stem Early College High School is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wake Stem Early College High School rank in NC?
Wake Stem Early College High School is ranked #1693 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Wake Stem Early College High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Wake Stem Early College High School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Stem Early College High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wake Stem Early College High School has 93.6% math proficiency and 96.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wake Stem Early College High School a charter school?
No, Wake Stem Early College High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wake Stem Early College High School a Title I school?
No, Wake Stem Early College High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wake Stem Early College High School?
38.7% of students at Wake Stem Early College 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,393/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cary). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – UG
- Enrollment
- 282
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 694-8130
- 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
- #150 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
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