Skip to main content

Average

#1928 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

5.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,928 of 2,648

In Apex

#21 of 21

public schools

In district

#158 of 194

Wake County Schools

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around West Lake Middle?

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 Middle

5.2/10

Middle School in Apex · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Lake Elementary

7.4/10

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

Middle Creek High

7.4/10

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

About West Lake Middle

West Lake Middle is a public middle school in Apex, NC, part of Wake County Schools. West Lake Middle serves approximately 766 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. West Lake Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,928 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for West Lake Middle show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • NC avg 5.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.7% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+5.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.5 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691
Chronic Absenteeism29.9%

West Lake Middle — Students at West Lake Middle score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 62.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (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
90%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
53%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
55%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
55%
ELA
61%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
61%
2016
Math
58%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
45%
ELA
60%
2019
Math
45%
ELA
60%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
56%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
53.3%
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: 4.2/10.

How West Lake Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
27th percentile in NC
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.9%

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

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 7.4/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Holly Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Herbert Akins Road Middle (rated 6.9/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Fuquay-Varina), which scores notably 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 7.4
Middle Creek High Apex 0.5 mi 7.4
Middle Creek Elementary Apex 0.7 mi 7.3
NEW SCHOOL MONTESSORI CENTER Holly Springs 1.6 mi 8.4
Ballentine Elementary Fuquay-Varina 3.3 mi 8.4
HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fuquay-Varina 3.1 mi 5.7
Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs 3.1 mi 7.4
Holly Ridge Elementary Holly Springs 3.2 mi 8.9
Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina 4.0 mi 7.0
Oak Grove Elementary Raleigh 3.9 mi 5.8
Herbert Akins Road Middle Fuquay-Varina 3.6 mi 6.9
Banks Road Elementary Raleigh 3.5 mi 5.5
Herbert Akins Rd Elementary Fuquay-Varina 3.7 mi 7.9
KING'S TOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh 3.4 mi
Penny Road Elementary Cary 4.4 mi 7.0
Holly Springs Elementary Holly Springs 3.8 mi 9.0
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cary 4.9 mi 6.0
Fuquay-Varina High Fuquay-Varina 4.8 mi 7.2
Willow Springs Elementary Willow Spring 4.9 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
Dillard Drive Middle Raleigh, NC 5.2
Farmville Middle Farmville, NC 5.2
Greene County Middle Snow Hill, NC 5.2
Hudson Middle Hudson, NC 5.2
Leland Middle Leland, NC 5.2
North Iredell Middle Olin, NC 5.2

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 ranks #1,928 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Lake Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

West Lake Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Lake Middle has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.9%

District

Wake County Schools
District Enrollment
161,481
Schools in District
197
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,691
District Rank
#158 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.