Photo: Mikeiamunion21 · CC BY-SA 3.0Garner’s public schools outscore 75% of North Carolina districts
On the state reading tests, 62% of Garner’s students scored proficient, above the North Carolina average (50%). The grade covers the public school district serving Garner, 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.
Garner’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 284 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Garner’s, its schools beat 93%, higher than their 75% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
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 ↓
Eight elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Oak City Academy (private) is 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 Garner’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 Garner, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Garner · depends on your address
East Garner Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,109 students · 16:1 students per teacher
North Garner Middle
Grades 6–8 · 831 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Garner · depends on your address
East Garner Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,109 students · 16:1 students per teacher
North Garner Middle
Grades 6–8 · 831 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Garner · depends on your address
East Garner Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,109 students · 16:1 students per teacher
North Garner Middle
Grades 6–8 · 831 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Garner · depends on your address
South Garner High
Grades 9–12 · 1,835 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Garner High
Grades 9–12 · 1,670 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Garner · depends on your address
South Garner High
Grades 9–12 · 1,835 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Garner High
Grades 9–12 · 1,670 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Garner · depends on your address
South Garner High
Grades 9–12 · 1,835 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Garner High
Grades 9–12 · 1,670 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Garner · depends on your address
South Garner High
Grades 9–12 · 1,835 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Garner High
Grades 9–12 · 1,670 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Garner’s public schools are run by Wake County Schools, which also serves Angier, Apex, Cary and Fuquay-Varina and others. 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
Garner vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Garner’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Garner | A− | Wake County Schools |
| Raleigh | A− | Wake County Schools |
| Fuquay-Varina | A− | Wake County Schools |
All 2 neighbors share Wake County Schools with Garner, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Garner
13 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).
Questions about Garner’s schools
Are Garner’s schools good?
By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Garner 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 93%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Garner in?
Wake County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 163,176 students in 198 schools (2024–25).
Where do Garner kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: South Garner High and Garner High.
What is Garner’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 Garner 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 Garner?
Yes: Oak City Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 192 students).
Parents talk
What Garner families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Garner → 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.