New Hill Historic District · Photo: KimWrenn · CC BY-SA 3.0Apex’s public schools outscore 75% of North Carolina districts
62% of students in Apex’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the North Carolina average (50%). The grade covers the public school district serving Apex, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Apex’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 62% and math 60% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,279 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then four middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Peak Charter Academy, The Math and Science Academy of Apex, Thales Academy Apex JH/HS (private), St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School (private), Thales Academy Apex K-5 (private), St. Andrews Early Childhood Center (private), Peace Montessori School (private) and Montessori Creative Learning School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Apex’s grade
A−: better than 75% of North Carolina school districts, #21 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Apex, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Apex · depends on your address
Apex Friendship High
Grades 9–12 · 2,748 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Apex High
Grades 9–12 · 2,449 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Apex · depends on your address
Apex Friendship High
Grades 9–12 · 2,748 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Apex High
Grades 9–12 · 2,449 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Apex · depends on your address
Apex Friendship High
Grades 9–12 · 2,748 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Apex High
Grades 9–12 · 2,449 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Apex · depends on your address
Apex Friendship High
Grades 9–12 · 2,748 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Apex High
Grades 9–12 · 2,449 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Apex’s public schools are run by Wake County Schools, which also serves Angier, Cary, Fuquay-Varina and Garner and others. Parts of Apex (2% of its land) are served by Chatham County Schools instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Apex vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Apex’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Apex | A− | Wake County Schools |
| Cary | A− | Wake County Schools |
| Holly Springs | A− | Wake County Schools |
All 2 neighbors share Wake County Schools with Apex, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Apex
20 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Felton Grove High).
Questions about Apex’s schools
Are Apex’s schools good?
By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Apex children attend outscore 75% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #21 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 78%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Apex in?
Wake County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 163,176 students in 198 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Apex are served by Chatham County Schools.
Where do Apex kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Apex Friendship High and Apex High.
What is Apex’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Wake County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Apex spend per student?
$12,279 in Wake County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Apex?
Yes: Thales Academy Apex JH/HS (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 653 students), St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 634 students), Thales Academy Apex K-5 (nonsectarian, grades K–5, 550 students), St. Andrews Early Childhood Center (Catholic, grades PK–K, 157 students), Peace Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–2, 56 students) and Montessori Creative Learning School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 45 students). Apex also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Apex families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Apex → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.