Very Good
#1048 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 40% 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
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
572
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Apex
#13 of 21
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#831 of 1,474
In district
#89 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic performance
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About West Lake Elementary
West Lake Elementary is a regular public school located in Apex, North Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 572 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The dedicated teaching staff includes 37 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support academic growth.
According to MySchoolScout, West Lake Elementary has a rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks at #927 among North Carolina’s 2661 schools in state rankings (65th percentile). The school's academic score is 7.8/10, with 60% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 67% proficiency or above in Math across all grade levels. Although the scores indicate room for improvement, West Lake Elementary continues to focus on fostering student development and enhancing its educational programs.
Located in a mid-size city setting, West Lake Elementary is part of the vibrant community of Apex, offering students a supportive environment that encourages learning and personal growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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West Lake Elementary — Students at West Lake Elementary score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.9/10.
How West Lake Elementary Compares
See how West Lake Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 54% (2019) to 72.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 56% (2019) to 60.6% (2025).
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. Ballentine Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Fuquay-Varina), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fuquay-Varina Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Fuquay-Varina), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Middle Creek Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), 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 | 6.0 |
| Middle Creek High Apex | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Middle Creek Elementary Apex | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 3.4 mi | 9.0 |
| HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fuquay-Varina | 3.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Holly Ridge Elementary Holly Springs | 3.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Oak Grove Elementary Raleigh | 3.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 4.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Herbert Akins Rd Elementary Fuquay-Varina | 3.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Banks Road Elementary Raleigh | 3.6 mi | 6.7 |
| KING'S TOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh | 3.4 mi | — |
| Penny Road Elementary Cary | 4.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Holly Springs Elementary Holly Springs | 3.8 mi | 7.4 |
| RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cary | 4.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina | 4.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Willow Springs Elementary Willow Spring | 5.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Southern Wake Academy Holly Springs | 4.7 mi | 5.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Lake Elementary has a median household income of $140,121. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $494,400, with a median rent of $1,781/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen Elementary Aberdeen, NC | 7.0 |
| Altamahaw-Ossipee Elementary Elon, NC | 7.0 |
| Anderson Creek Primary Bunnlevel, NC | 7.0 |
| Apex Elementary Apex, NC | 7.0 |
| Bain Elementary Mint Hill, NC | 7.0 |
| Benjamin J Martin Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 7.0 |
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 is ranked #1048 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Lake Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
West Lake Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 West Lake Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Lake Elementary has 67.2% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 11 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 15 Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety
- Low (115/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (919) 662-2300
- 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
- #89 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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