Skip to main content

Average

#1627 of 2,648 schools in NC

West Lake Middle

Middle School · Wake County Schools

4600 West Lake Rd, Apex, NC 27539

Enrollment

766

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

6.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Apex

#18 of 21

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#255 of 475

In district

#142 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic performance

7.0 / 10

Strong

About West Lake Middle

West Lake Middle serves grades 6 through 8 in Apex, a mid-size city in Wake County, North Carolina. The school enrolls 766 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, supported by 48 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, West Lake Middle has room for growth.

About 56% of students score proficient or above in ELA and Reading, while 57% meet proficiency in Math. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10, placing it at the 45th percentile statewide among North Carolina schools. These results suggest the school is working to strengthen core academic skills across its student body.

Located at 4600 West Lake Road, West Lake Middle is situated in Apex, a growing community in the Raleigh area. The school serves as a traditional public middle school for families in this region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.7%
Math vs. State Avg+5.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.5 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected-3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment5.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,859

West Lake Middle — Students at West Lake Middle score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.2%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 55.7%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
45%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
56%
2025
Math
62.7%
ELA
54.6%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How West Lake Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
39th percentile in NC
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

Location

4600 West Lake Rd, Apex, NC 27539

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Lake Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Holly Ridge Middle (rated 7.0/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Holly Springs), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Herbert Akins Road Middle (rated 6.5/10, 3.6 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 Elementary Apex 0.1 mi 7.0
Middle Creek High Apex 0.5 mi 5.4
Middle Creek Elementary Apex 0.7 mi 7.9
NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs 1.6 mi 8.4
Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina 3.3 mi 9.0
HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fuquay-Varina 3.1 mi 5.7
Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs 3.1 mi 7.0
Holly Ridge Elementary Holly Springs 3.2 mi 7.3
Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina 4.0 mi 8.3
Oak Grove Elementary Raleigh 3.9 mi 6.3
Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina 3.6 mi 6.5
Banks Road Elementary Raleigh 3.5 mi 6.7
Herbert Akins Rd Elementary Fuquay-Varina 3.7 mi 7.4
KING'S TOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh 3.4 mi
Penny Road Elementary Cary 4.4 mi 5.4
Holly Springs Elementary Holly Springs 3.8 mi 7.4
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cary 4.9 mi 6.0
Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina 4.8 mi 5.3
Willow Springs Elementary Willow Spring 4.9 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 Middle 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
Apple Valley Middle Hendersonville, NC 6.0
E B Aycock Middle Greenville, NC 6.0
Mount Pleasant Middle Mount Pleasant, NC 6.0
Mountain View Intermediate Franklin, NC 6.0
North Asheboro Middle Asheboro, NC 6.0
Rockingham County Middle Reidsville, NC 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Lake Middle

What grades does West Lake Middle serve?

West Lake Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend West Lake Middle?

West Lake Middle has an enrollment of approximately 766 students.

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

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

How does West Lake Middle rank in NC?

West Lake Middle is ranked #1627 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Lake Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

West Lake Middle has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Lake Middle has 57.2% math proficiency and 55.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Lake Middle a charter school?

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

Is West Lake Middle a Title I school?

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

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

38.9% of students at West Lake Middle 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

County Safety
Low (115/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
766
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
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
#142 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.