For the 2026 school year, there are 31 public charter schools serving 21,666 students in Wake County, NC. The top-ranked public charter schools in Wake County, NC are Quest Academy, Raleigh Charter High School and Magellan Charter. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wake County, NC public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 65% (versus the North Carolina public charter school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 59% statewide average). Charter schools in Wake County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public charter school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Charter Schools in Wake County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Quest Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
10908 Strickland Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 841-0441
Gr: K-8 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1307 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 715-1155
Gr: 9-12 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #33.
Magellan Charter
Charter School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9324 Baileywick Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 844-0277
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 844-0277
Gr: 3-8 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Triangle Math And Science Academy
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
312 Gregson Dr.
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 388-0077
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 388-0077
Gr: K-12 | 1,904 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #55.
Peak Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1601 Orchard Villas Ave
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 377-1552
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 377-1552
Gr: K-8 | 651 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #66.
Franklin Academy
Charter School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1127 Chalk Rd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 570-8262
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 570-8262
Gr: K-12 | 1,660 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #77.
Endeavor Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4879 One World Way
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 848-0333
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 848-0333
Gr: K-8 | 799 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #88.
Longleaf School Of The Arts
Charter School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
322 Chapanoke Road
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 896-8164
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 896-8164
Gr: 9-12 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #99.
Envision Science Academy
Charter School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
590 Traditions Grande Blvd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 435-4002
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 435-4002
Gr: K-8 | 759 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1010.
Sterling Montessori Academy
Charter School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
202 Treybrooke Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 462-8889
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 462-8889
Gr: PK-8 | 702 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1111.
Wake Forest Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1851 Friendship Chapel Rd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 263-8673
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 263-8673
Gr: K-8 | 650 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1212.
Pine Springs Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
220 Rosewood Centre Dr
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 439-9448
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 439-9448
Gr: K-8 | 1,258 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1313.
The Exploris School
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
401 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 715-3690
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 715-3690
Gr: K-8 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1414.
East Wake Academy
Charter School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
821 Charter School Way
Zebulon, NC 27597
(919) 404-0444
Zebulon, NC 27597
(919) 404-0444
Gr: K-12 | 1,265 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1515.
Doral Academy Of North Carolina
Charter School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7001 Destiny Drive
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 874-1001
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 874-1001
Gr: K-6 | 592 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1616.
Casa Esperanza Montessori Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10510 Star Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 855-9811
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 855-9811
Gr: PK-8 | 752 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1717.
Cardinal Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1020 St. Charles Place
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 653-5000
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 653-5000
Gr: K-8 | 584 students Student-teacher ratio: 45:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1818.
Rolesville Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
908 Eagle Scholars Drive
Rolesville, NC 27571
(919) 263-1422
Rolesville, NC 27571
(919) 263-1422
Gr: K-8 | 716 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1919.
Cardinal Charter Academy At Wendell Falls
Charter School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
6041 Taylor Rd.
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 752-8870
Wendell, NC 27591
(919) 752-8870
Gr: K-8 | 567 students Student-teacher ratio: 57:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2020.
Southern Wake Academy
Charter School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5108 Old Powell Rd
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 567-9955
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 567-9955
Gr: 6-12 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2121.
Raleigh Oak Charter
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Sumer Drive
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 424-7626
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 424-7626
Gr: K-8 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2222.
Preeminent Charter
Charter School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3815 Rock Quarry Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 235-0511
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 235-0511
Gr: K-8 | 667 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2323.
Achievement Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
25 Buttonwood Ct.
Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
(919) 552-5446
Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
(919) 552-5446
Gr: K-8 | 211 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2424.
Rise Southeast Raleigh Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3420 Idlewood Village Dr
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 446-4777
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 446-4777
Gr: K-8 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2525.
Central Wake High School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1425 Rock Quarry Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 521-5067
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 521-5067
Gr: 9-12 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 37:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
American Leadership Academy - Johnston
Charter School
3770 Us-70 Bus
Raleigh, NC 27614
(984) 302-3630
Raleigh, NC 27614
(984) 302-3630
Gr: K-12 | 2,082 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: n/an/a
Longleaf School Of Arts Remote Academy
Charter School
322 Chapanoke Road
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 896-8164
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 896-8164
Rank: n/an/a
The Math And Science Academy Of Apex
Charter School
3501 Dropseed Dr.
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 335-0262
Apex, NC 27502
(919) 335-0262
Gr: K-7 | 1,080 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: n/an/a
Pine Springs Preparatory Remote Academy
Charter School
220 Rosewood Centre Dr
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(855) 632-2034
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(855) 632-2034
Gr: K-11 | 2,552 students Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: n/an/a
Wake Preparatory Academy
Charter School
14111 Capital Blvd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(984) 245-0050
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 charter schools in Wake County, NC?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Wake County, NC include Quest Academy, Raleigh Charter High School and Magellan Charter. Wake County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public charter schools are located in Wake County?
33 public charter schools are located in Wake County.
What is the racial composition of students in Wake County?
Wake County public charter schools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public charter schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public charter schools in Wake County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public charter schools in Wake County include: Rise Southeast Raleigh Charter School vs. Preeminent Charter, Magellan Charter vs. Quest Academy, Raleigh Oak Charter vs. The Exploris School
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