Best Wake Forest Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 8,411 students in Wake Forest, NC. The top-ranked public high schools in Wake Forest, NC are Franklin Academy, North Wake College And Career Academy and Wake Forest High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wake Forest, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 79% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 76% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Wake Forest have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of North Carolina public high schools.
Wake Forest, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 91%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Franklin Academy, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public High Schools in Wake Forest, NC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Franklin Academy
Charter School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1127 Chalk Rd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 570-8262
Gr: K-12 | 1,660 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
North Wake College And Career Academy
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
931 Durham Rd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 694-8650
Gr: 9-13 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #33.
Wake Forest High School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
420 West Stadium Drive
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 554-8611
Gr: 9-12 | 2,043 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #44.
Heritage High School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1150 Forestville Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 570-5600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,778 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: n/an/a
Wake Preparatory Academy
Charter School
14111 Capital Blvd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(984) 245-0050
Gr: K-12 | 2,617 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 46%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Wake Forest, NC?
The top-ranked public high schools in Wake Forest, NC include Franklin Academy, North Wake College And Career Academy and Wake Forest High School. Wake Forest has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public high schools are located in Wake Forest?
5 public high schools are located in Wake Forest.
What is the racial composition of students in Wake Forest?
Wake Forest public high schools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Wake Forest are often viewed compared to one another?

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