Skip to main content

Very Good

#769 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 29% in state

West Lake Elementary

Elementary School · Wake County Schools

4500 West Lake Rd, Apex, NC 27539

Enrollment

572

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#769 of 2,648

In Apex

#13 of 21

public schools

In district

#91 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around West Lake Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

West Lake Elementary

7.4/10

Elementary School in Apex · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Lake Middle

5.2/10

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

Middle Creek High

7.4/10

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

About West Lake Elementary

West Lake Elementary is a public elementary school in Apex, NC, part of Wake County Schools. West Lake Elementary serves approximately 572 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. West Lake Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #769 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for West Lake Elementary show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.1
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+8.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691
Chronic Absenteeism22%

West Lake Elementary — Students at West Lake Elementary score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 63.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
89%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
64%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
73%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
65%
ELA
60%
2018
Math
54%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
54%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
58%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
65%
2022
Math
68.7%
ELA
65.3%
2025
Math
72.8%
ELA
60.2%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How West Lake Elementary Compares

See how West Lake Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
71th percentile in NC
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
6.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.0%

Programs & Offerings

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

4500 West Lake Rd, Apex, NC 27539

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Lake Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Holly Springs Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Holly Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Holly Ridge Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Holly Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ballentine Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Fuquay-Varina), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Apex, see our Apex schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
West Lake Middle Apex 0.1 mi 5.2
Middle Creek High Apex 0.4 mi 7.4
Middle Creek Elementary Apex 0.6 mi 7.3
NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs 1.6 mi 8.4
Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina 3.4 mi 8.4
HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fuquay-Varina 3.2 mi 5.7
Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs 3.1 mi 7.4
Holly Ridge Elementary Holly Springs 3.1 mi 8.9
Oak Grove Elementary Raleigh 3.8 mi 5.8
Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina 3.7 mi 6.9
Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina 4.1 mi 7.0
Herbert Akins Rd Elementary Fuquay-Varina 3.7 mi 7.9
Banks Road Elementary Raleigh 3.6 mi 5.5
KING'S TOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh 3.4 mi
Penny Road Elementary Cary 4.3 mi 7.0
Holly Springs Elementary Holly Springs 3.8 mi 9.0
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cary 4.8 mi 6.0
Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina 4.8 mi 7.2
Willow Springs Elementary Willow Spring 5.0 mi 8.2
Southern Wake Academy Holly Springs 4.7 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27539 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$140,121

Median Home Value

$494,400

Median Rent

$1,781/mo

Population

25,944

College Educated

61.9%

Homeownership

82.8%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

3.3%

Median Age

37.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain, NC 7.4
Classical Charter Schools of Southport Bolivia, NC 7.4
Denton Elementary Denton, NC 7.4
Dixon Elementary Holly Ridge, NC 7.4
Eastern Elementary Greenville, NC 7.4
Grays Chapel Elementary School Franklinville, NC 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Lake Elementary

What grades does West Lake Elementary serve?

West Lake Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend West Lake Elementary?

West Lake Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 572 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Lake Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at West Lake Elementary is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Lake Elementary rank in NC?

West Lake Elementary ranks #769 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Lake Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

West Lake Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 West Lake Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Lake Elementary has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Lake Elementary a charter school?

No, West Lake Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Lake Elementary a Title I school?

No, West Lake Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Lake Elementary?

27.4% of students at West Lake Elementary 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
11 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
572
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Wake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.