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Very Good

#680 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 26% in state

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

7.6

Grades

9th – UG

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#680 of 2,648

In Cary

#18 of 32

public schools

In district

#84 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Wake Stem Early College High School

7.6/10

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

Crossroads Flex

7.8/10

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

Score Academy

4.3/10

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

About Wake Stem Early College High School

Wake Stem Early College High School is a public high school in Cary, NC, part of Wake County Schools. Wake Stem Early College High School serves approximately 282 students, and covers grades 9th-UG, and has a 20.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Wake Stem Early College High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #680 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Wake Stem Early College High School show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 93% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Wake Stem Early College High School runs 20.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change+1.42 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency95.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency98.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+39.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+45 pts
Overall Proficiency97% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+32.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
AP Participation19.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691

Wake Stem Early College High School — Students at Wake Stem Early College High School score 97% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.3% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 92.5% (multi-year average, 2012-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 22 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2012
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2013
Math
64.5%
ELA
84.5%
2014
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2015
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2016
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
95%
2018
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2019
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2020*
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2021*
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2025
Math
95.7%
ELA
98.6%

* 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: 9.6/10.

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.

Overall Score
7.6/10
74th percentile in NC
Academic
9.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 3
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
19.1% 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

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 7.8/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Athens Drive High (rated 7.1/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Raleigh), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cary High (rated 6.9/10, 1.9 miles away), 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 7.8
SCORE Academy Cary 0.1 mi 4.3
Connections Academy Cary 0.8 mi
Swift Creek Elementary Raleigh 0.8 mi 6.1
RENAISSANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CARY Cary 0.9 mi
Dillard Drive Middle Raleigh 0.9 mi 5.2
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Raleigh 1.2 mi 5.8
Dillard Drive Elementary Raleigh 1.0 mi 3.8
ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF RALEIGH Raleigh 1.1 mi 6.0
Yates Mill Elementary Raleigh 1.4 mi 6.0
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 5.1
Cary High Cary 1.9 mi 6.9
Athens Drive High Raleigh 1.9 mi 7.1
Farmington Woods Elementary Cary 1.9 mi 8.4
East Cary Middle Cary 2.2 mi 7.1
Mount Vernon Raleigh 2.7 mi 4.3
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Northside High Pinetown, NC 7.6
Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences Charlotte, NC 7.5
J D Clement Early College HS Durham, NC 7.5
Wake Early College of Health and Science Raleigh, NC 7.5
ASHEVILLE SCHOOL Asheville, NC 7.7
Agriculture and Science Early College Olin, NC 7.7

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 ranks #680 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 current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Stem Early College High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wake Stem Early College High School has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 93% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
54 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

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

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