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Apex Friendship Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

21^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 99% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Apex Friendship Elementary serves 896 students in grades PK–5 as part of Wake County Schools, in an affluent area of Apex, NC. This is a large elementary school with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5, and it stands as an elite academic performer. It is ranked 21st out of 1,492 North Carolina elementary schools for 2025-2026, landing in the 99th percentile with a 5-star rating. This follows a steady three-year rise from #35 to #21. The school also boasts an exceptionally low free/reduced lunch rate of 4.58% and chronic absenteeism of just 8.2% in 2024-2025—less than half the district figure and about a third of the state’s rate, signaling strong family engagement and a positive school culture.

Academically, proficiency rates at Apex Friendship tower over both Wake County and state averages, often by 20–30 percentage points. For instance, 4th-grade math proficiency hits 96.6% (compared to 70.4% for the district), and 4th-grade reading reaches 90.5% (vs. 68.0% districtwide). The school has improved year over year in nearly every subject and grade. When compared to nearby traditional public schools, it ranks among the best: Scotts Ridge Elementary is close in overall quality, while Apex Elementary—just 3.5 miles away—shows far lower proficiency alongside a much higher free/reduced lunch rate of 34.18%. Even local charter schools generally trail Apex Friendship, except for The Math and Science Academy of Apex, which edges ahead in some subjects but not all.

What truly differentiates Apex Friendship is its exceptional support for historically underserved groups. For 2025-2026, its Hispanic students rank #2 statewide, English Language Learners #2, low-income students #3, and special education students #4—all in the 100th percentile. This suggests highly effective interventions, and it proves the school closes internal achievement gaps even within a low-poverty population. However, one area needs urgent attention: performance for Gifted and Talented students has plummeted from the 90th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 19th percentile in 2025-2026. This striking decline is a cautionary note in an otherwise outstanding record, reminding parents that even top-ranked schools must continually review how they serve the full spectrum of learners.

896

Students ?

14.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

4.6%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

7901 Humie Olive Road
Apex, NC 27502

(919) 694-8454

District: Wake County Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

43.6%

Asian:

42.2%

Hispanic:

6.8%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 98th percentile in 2024 → 99th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the North Carolina average (91% vs 61% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of North Carolina elementary schools

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school91%

District avg70%

North Carolina avg61%

21^st of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 1%▲ up 1 pts since 2024

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

60^th of 246Wake County Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	96.7	21 of 1492	98.6%	★★★★★
2025	96.5	31 of 1490	97.9%	★★★★★
2024	96.0	35 of 1505	97.7%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	71.3	34 of 134	74.6%	★★★★☆
2025	71.3	36 of 131	72.5%	★★★★☆
2024	70.8	40 of 130	69.2%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	98.8	2 of 519	99.6%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	96.9	10 of 1447	99.3%	★★★★★
2025	95.9	22 of 1451	98.5%	★★★★★
2024	95.8	27 of 1455	98.1%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	45.2	603 of 743	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	62.7	263 of 710	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	70.0	66 of 669	90.1%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	99.6	2 of 981	99.8%	★★★★★
2025	99.4	1 of 961	99.9%	★★★★★
2024	96.0	18 of 951	98.1%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	99.0	3 of 1434	99.8%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	94.8	30 of 1451	97.9%	★★★★★
2025	95.1	42 of 1450	97.1%	★★★★★
2024	94.6	42 of 1464	97.1%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	97.7	4 of 815	99.5%	★★★★★
2025	90.1	30 of 821	96.3%	★★★★★
2024	70.6	130 of 801	83.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	85.7	104 of 1146	90.9%	★★★★★
2025	83.7	145 of 1172	87.6%	★★★★☆
2024	86.3	104 of 1166	91.1%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Hispanic (2026)100th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)100th percentile~ school

English Language Learner (2026)100th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)100th percentile~ school

Female (2026)99th percentile~ school

Male (2026)98th percentile~ school

White (2026)91st percentile-8 vs school

Asian (2026)75th percentile-24 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)19th percentile-80 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics94%+30 vs state

Science91%+24 vs state

Reading88%+32 vs state

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Our experience with the IEP process at Apex Friendship Elementary School was deeply disappointing. My child has documented developmental and academic challenges, yet the school denied all special education services after the evaluation process.

Throughout the process, I felt my concerns as a parent were minimized rather than genuinely heard. Communication was inconsistent, meetings felt procedural, and the system often seemed more focused on denying support than understanding my child’s actual needs. Instead of feeling like a collaborative process, it became emotionally exhausting and adversarial.

Families navigating special education deserve transparency, empathy, and meaningful support. Unfortunately, our experience did not reflect those values. I hope the school and district improve how they support students with disabilities and work with parents in the future. Close Quote

Schools Near Apex Friendship Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)						EOG Reading (2026)						EOG Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Apex Friendship Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	7901 Humie Olive Road	Apex	27502	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(919) 694-8454	896	62	14.5	4.6%	391 (43.6%)	34 (3.8%)	61 (6.8%)	378 (42.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (3.6%)	96.7	21^st of 1492 public elementary schools	98.6%		96.5	31^st of 1490 public elementary schools	97.9%	10	90.7	96.6	93.2				83.6	90.5	89.2				91.2
Woods Creek Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	7451 Woods Creek Rd	Holly Springs	27539	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(919) 694-8422	406	33	12.3	24.6%	160 (39.4%)	48 (11.8%)	68 (16.7%)	110 (27.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (4.7%)	88.6	138^th of 1492 public elementary schools	90.8%					(n/a)	85.9	79.6	85.5				78.8	75.5	73.9				78.3
Pleasant Plains Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1511 Woodall Crest Drive	Apex	27502	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(919) 694-8900	0			—															(n/a)	84.4	86.4	85.3				77.8	71.2	61.8				76.5
Scotts Ridge Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6601 Apex Barbecue Rd	Apex	27502	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 694-0300	869	57	15.2	8.2%	553 (63.6%)	19 (2.2%)	54 (6.2%)	187 (21.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (6.3%)	96.9	17^th of 1492 public elementary schools	98.9%		95.8	43^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	97.1%	26	94.9	93.7	90.1				85.9	88.8	86.8				94.0		$8,607	$341	$8,266
Olive Chapel Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1751 Olive Chapel Road	Apex	27502	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 387-4440	1,066	72	14.8	11.6%	551 (51.7%)	61 (5.7%)	95 (8.9%)	323 (30.3%)	4 (0.4%)	6 (0.6%)	26 (2.4%)	95.8	31^st of 1492 public elementary schools	97.9%		96.1	37^th of 1490 public elementary schools	97.5%	6	92.2	86.5	90.7				87.0	83.2	88.7				92.1		$9,289	$359	$8,930
The Math and Science Academy of Apex	Public, Charter	K-7	3501 Dropseed Dr.	Apex	27502	Wake County	The Math and Science Academy of Apex	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(919) 335-0262	1,080	59	18.3	—	223 (20.6%)	65 (6.0%)	41 (3.8%)	671 (62.1%)	13 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	67 (6.2%)	98.1	4^th of 1492 public elementary schools	99.7%		97.8	8^th of 1490 public elementary schools	99.5%	4	96.4	94.0	98.1	98.6	564.4		84.2	91.3	93.7	94.2	92.1		96.2
Apex Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	700 Tingen Road	Apex	27502	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 387-2150	550	39	14.0	34.2%	303 (55.1%)	49 (8.9%)	127 (23.1%)	43 (7.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	27 (4.9%)	76.4	297^th of 1492 public elementary schools	80.1%		76.2	304^th of 1490 public elementary schools	79.6%	7	72.5	77.5	75.6				61.5	67.6	70.7				74.0		$9,307	$377	$8,931
Oakview Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	11500 Holly Springs New Hill R	Apex	27539	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 694-8885	873	60	14.5	11.9%	605 (69.3%)	37 (4.2%)	68 (7.8%)	112 (12.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (5.7%)	95	38^th of 1492 public elementary schools	97.5%		93.4	68^th of 1490 public elementary schools	95.4%	30	93.8	84.7	89.5				83.6	77.4	86.8				93.4		$8,808	$362	$8,446
Baucom Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	400 Hunter St	Apex	27502	Wake County	Wake County Schools	No	No	No	No	(919) 387-2168	675	49	13.8	21.2%	297 (44.0%)	61 (9.0%)	94 (13.9%)	192 (28.4%)	3 (0.4%)	4 (0.6%)	24 (3.6%)	89.4	124^th of 1492 public elementary schools	91.7%		89.2	119^th of 1490 public elementary schools	92.0%	5	82.8	83.2	80.4				75.9	81.2	78.3				82.6		$9,174	$659	$8,515
Peak Charter Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	1601 Orchard Villas Ave	Apex	27502	Wake County	Peak Charter Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(919) 377-1552	651	35	18.4	14.9%	209 (32.1%)	55 (8.4%)	55 (8.4%)	281 (43.2%)	4 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (7.2%)	95.2	36^th of 1492 public elementary schools	97.6%		92	82^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	94.5%	46	90.4	84.1	88.1	86.9	76.5	71.2	81.9	84.1	83.3	89.3	79.0	84.6	92.9	92.3

Frequently Asked Questions about Apex Friendship Elementary

Is Apex Friendship Elementary a good school?

Yes! Apex Friendship Elementary is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 21^st of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools.

What district is Apex Friendship Elementary in?

Wake County Schools

How many students attend Apex Friendship Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 896 students attended Apex Friendship Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Apex Friendship Elementary?

Students at Apex Friendship Elementary are 44% White, 42% Asian, 7% Hispanic, 4% African American, 4% Two or more races.

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.