Schools in Raleigh, NC

A: Rankings and report cards can help you compare, but no single list tells the whole story.

The NC School Report Cards show state-reported data for public schools. U.S. News also publishes annual high school rankings (EdNC summarizes the 2026-27 list), and other sites publish their own, each using different measures. Look at more than one source, and confirm details with the school or district directly.

A: There are five main types: base, magnet, early college, charter, and private.

Your base school is assigned by your home address. Magnet schools add a specialty theme to the standard curriculum, such as International Baccalaureate, medical sciences, or STEM. Early colleges let students earn college credit while they finish high school. Charter schools are public, and private schools set their own admissions. See the complete lists of public, private, and charter high schools above.

A: Use the WCPSS base school assignment lookup.

Type in a Wake County address on the WCPSS lookup tool and you'll see the assigned school, the calendar, and transportation options. Assignments can change, and enrollment depends on space at the school, so always confirm directly with WCPSS before you make decisions.

A: You apply, and placement is not guaranteed.

You can apply to a magnet school even if it isn't your base school, and you can apply to more than one. Space is limited. The application window usually opens in the fall and closes in January, with results in February. New families can apply within 10 days of enrolling. Magnet results can't be appealed. Dates change each year, so check the WCPSS magnet application page for the current schedule.

A: It lets students earn a high school diploma and college credit at the same time.

Early colleges usually partner with Wake Tech. Wake Early College of Health and Sciences and Wake STEM Early College are two Raleigh-area examples, both five-year programs. Early colleges have their own application window, which usually closes in December, earlier than the magnet deadline.

A: Yes, and you apply to each one separately.

Charter schools are public and free, and popular ones often use a lottery. Private schools set their own tuition and admissions. Browse the school lists above to compare options by grade level, then contact each school directly for current openings.

A: Use them as one source among several.

Rankings use different data and methods, and some of the numbers are a couple of years old. Visit the campus, ask the school about the programs your student cares about, and review the official data linked above. When you're ready to start your home search, contact our team.