Serving 2,434 students in grades 9-12, Apex High School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 72% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 78% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,434 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 42%
- Graduation Rate: 93% (Top 20% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 10%
- Math Proficiency: 72% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 78% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 51% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Apex High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Apex High School's student population of 2,434 students has grown by 15% over five school years.
The teacher population of 127 teachers has grown by 18% over five school years.
School Mascot
Cougar
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
2,434 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
127 teachers
Year Founded
1920
School Colors
Black, Green, Gold, Black/Green
School Rankings
Apex High School ranks within the top 10% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Apex High School is 0.62, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#243 out of 2617 schools
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
72%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
78%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
63%
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
12%
4%
Hispanic
16%
21%
Black
10%
25%
White
58%
43%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
93%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
20%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
1%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Apex High School's ranking?
Apex High School is ranked #243 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are Apex High School often compared to?
Apex High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Apex Friendship High School, Holly Springs High School, Middle Creek High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
72% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 78% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Apex High School?
The graduation rate of Apex High School is 93%, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 86%.
How many students attend Apex High School?
2,434 students attend Apex High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
58% of Apex High School students are White, 16% of students are Hispanic, 12% of students are Asian, 10% of students are Black, and 4% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Apex High School?
Apex High School has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does Apex High School offer ?
Apex High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Apex High School part of?
Apex High School is part of Wake County Schools School District.
School Reviews
1 8/12/2019
This is a very mediocre school. They say the class size is small, but it is not. My kids attended this school and we were not satisfied with their education. It is too big like all of the high schools in the area, but the main problem is the lack of education provided. They could be so much more. Very disappointing.
2 8/18/2015
Went to apex for 4 years. The school itself is disgusting. It has a serious cockroach infestation- you always had to keep your backpack on a chair because you never knew when a cockroach would scurry across the floor, wall, or even ceiling. It's especially bad in the girls locker rooms, we had to stand on benches when we got changed because they would scurry across the floor every time someone opened the door and light came in. All buildings, especially the pods have a serious mold problem. I couldn't even use one of the restrooms because it stank so bad of mold, which I'm allergic to, that I could barely breathe when I went in. The air conditioner broke many times, and sometimes the heat got so bad we would have to have class outside. The older buildings were supposed to be demolished and rebuilt this year but knowing Wake County this will never happen. The teachers are underpaid, unmotivated and ofter unqualified. Not to name names but a certain elderly teacher should have been forced to retire years ago due to incompetence. She never taught us, most students watched movies on their laptops while she rambled on about God knows what. Teachers are not properly evaluated in the classroom. The ones that are qualified are not motivated to teach and don't care about the students. They have rightfully given up due to the state refusing to pay them enough to live without taking two or three side jobs. If you are considering sending your child to Apex, consider another school.
2 2/14/2015
Apex High school is a pathetic excuse for a learning facility. Aside from the over crowding and extreme lack of resources, there is a major mold problem throughout the school mainly in the air vents. It's is truely disgusting. If you have any choice, do not let your child attend this school.
5 2/13/2014
To the previous poster of 1/14/14: This is a wake county policy, not set by the school. I believe there are dedicated open houses for incoming freshman. You can probably call Apex Middle or Lufkin Road Middle for the date given to their 8th graders for open house. Other than a private or magnet school Apex High, Panther Creek and Green Hope are very good area high schools. The problem may be that these schools do not feel the need to "sell" their school as they are so popular with the local neighborhoods that they are already overcrowded. FYI, Friendship High is scheduled to be built in 2015 which may ease some of the crowding in Apex and Panther Creek.
2 1/14/2014
My family is moving to the Raleigh area and I WAS very interested in Apex high school mainly b/c I thought it "looked" good on paper. I called to ask if I could tour the school while I was in Raleigh. I was told by Student Services they do not give tours. I asked how do prospective students and parents get to see the school. I was told once you register your child at the school, then they come to a type of orientation if they are freshman and upper classman can come during the summer to walk around the building. She then informed me otherwise they would have people school shopping all the time. What a load of crap. No thanks. A school that doesn't give tours has something to HIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Most schools love to brag about the facility, the students and their achievements as well as the faculty. Not this one, apparently.
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