2023 Best Schools in Holly Springs

• Cary, NC•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  101 reviews

Alum: I loved my time at Cary Academy (as much as you can for a high school)! For a quiet, yet hardworking and ambitious kid, the faculty at Cary Academy helped me find my voice and my passions. High school is transformative for most students, but Cary Academy helped me in ways beyond standard test preparation. Cary Academy taught me how to work, think and study. I went to college more than prepared and excited to take advantage of every opportunity. I would, however, like the school to focus more on the students and less on the business of the institution. Listen to the kids as your guide and hire faculty that are right for them.... Read 101 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 787

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  51 reviews

Alum: STEM is an amazing opportunity for any student that wants to go beyond the typical high school experience. The teachers care so much about their students, and the small class size ensures lots of individual attention. Project based learning does a great job at preparing students for college and beyond, as does the dual-enrollment program in partnership with NC State.... Read 51 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 256

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  34 reviews

Parent: As my daughters prepare to graduate this May, I can't say enough about Saint Mary's School. SMS has been an exceptional experience for my two girls (twins). The level of engagement, community, academics, and spirit that SMS offers is unparalleled. Educationally, my girls and their peers are challenged to love learning and to learn to think critically. SMS helps them amplify their voices, find confidence, learn to lead, and fostered their individual growth. Both of my daughters love the Saint Mary's community and have enjoyed extracurriculars including participating in sports, the arts, and several student clubs and organizations, including student government. Saint Mary's girls truly do find and develop lifelong friendships, and I am simply in awe of the amazing network of alumnae they have available to them. I was also impressed that they were provided internship experiences prior to college! And, their four-year seminar program and college counseling is phenomenal. GoSaints!... Read 34 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 309

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  151 reviews

Sophomore: I am a sophomore at Wake Early College of Health and Sciences, and I got to say that it has been a great school so far. The teachers here are great as they are very knowledgeable of their subjects and capable of explaining concepts to students. In addition, this school provides us with many opportunities to learn more about different careers. As a part of our early college program, we become full-time college students at Wake Tech. This is great considering that we get to graduate with an associate's degree at no extra cost. This not only helps families financially but also saves two years of time and prepares students for college. Overall, my experience at Wake Early College of Health and Sciences has been great!... Read 151 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 337

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Durham, NC•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  62 reviews

Parent: We love the atmosphere of this school, the teachers are fun but also serious about teaching and learning. Expectations are high and students work hard but they don't have tons of homework, and many classes have lots of hands-on activities. We love the personalized learning method, students can move ahead quickly if they have already mastered the material - so much better than spending hours bored in class while the teacher goes over something you already know! It's a little confusing to understand how the grading works at first, but it's worth the hassle. We're so glad we took a chance and tried something different.... Read 62 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 586

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  37 reviews

Senior: Green Level is an amazing school with fantastic leadership. I was in the freshman class the year the school opened and will be a part of the first senior class who attended all four years. I have been in the band as a member of the percussion section. I have served as the battery captain for both marching band and indoor percussion. The school culture supports the arts as well as athletics. The academic courses offered are diverse and competitive. I feel that I have been well prepared for starting college in the fall. Green Level also supports students' social and emotional well being with Gator Ballance Days offered each quarter. These days allow students to connect with others in a more relaxed environment. I have also had the same faculty advisor all four years. They know me personally and support me in my growth. Even though the school is large, the administration makes every student feel known and valued. It is an exceptional place. I would not change a thing!... Read 37 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,383

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Cary, NC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  77 reviews

Parent: We have fallen in love with CCS! We never predicted we would send our kids to private school, and it is the best decision we have made for them. The quality of teaching is night and day from public school. The teachers all have a true gift, and all lessons are well thought out. The teachers actually teach rather than using a computer program to do their job and babysit the class. All subjects are taught from a biblical world view and all students are held to a high standard. CCS is everything we wished for our kids' education and more!... Read 77 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 785

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Cary, NC•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  33 reviews

Senior: Overall, fairly good school. Good academics (offers all non-obscure APs in HS) with strong teachers in all your core classes. More flexibility than most schools, very accommodating of students charting their own course through taking advanced classes. Never felt unsafe. Prepares you well for college. It's a smaller STEM school, so sports are middling. You'd think the clubs would be strong, and they can be, but only when students or parents take initiative/leadership and take over the club. When this happens, strong resources are provided. When it doesn't, clubs fall into disrepair until another leader comes along. The schools weakest point is admin, which seems to be quite bad. Teacher management is bad: I've seen teachers dealing with unreasonable/confusing demands, and more than one leave because of it. Perhaps the biggest manifestation of this is that the school is currently too small for how many students it has. A second school has been promised for years and is needed.... Read 33 reviews

• grade A

• Students 946

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  451 reviews

Senior: It's a very nice school! I moved here a year ago from my country and didn't know anybody. But the diversity in Apex High made it easier to fit in and make friends. The academics was also fairly easy, the teachers made it easier. All the teachers I have had an encounter with were extremely helpful and friendly. The Conselors are also amazing, they are helpful and nice. Good: -Easy academics -Easy to make friends -Awesome Library Bad: - Lack of Competition -Could be more diverse -Unnecessarily long Carpool Lane... Read 451 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,229

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Holly Springs, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Pine Springs offers one of the most rich curriculum experiences I have seen in any elementary school. My children come home teaching me something new every day. The board truly listens to parent input. The PTO is top notch. We have been thoroughly pleased with the rich education our children are receiving at PSPA.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 825

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  226 reviews

Junior: Gibbons Students live at Gibbons. That doesn't mean that we eat and sleep on campus, although some have tried; it means that this school is where we feel at home. I never get to school after 7:30 am and usually don't leave until 4:30 or 5. That is how welcoming and engaging Cardinal Gibbons is. Between the educators, students, families, athletics, clubs, campus/facilities, and the community at CGHS I would rather be nowhere else. Even though we are a Diocesan Catholic School, the Catholic Faith is not forced upon student. Plenty of student come from other faiths and no one is forced to conform to a certain culture; however, there are still innumerable ways to live out your faith on campus via Mass, service, or the wonderful school Chaplain affectionately known as "Father." Academics are outstanding, Educators truly value and love their students, Athletics are top notch (go Crusaders!) and the community is one of a kind. I love it here!... Read 226 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,611

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: My child is in the Single Subject Acceleration Math program. This school differs from other Wake County schools that offer this program in that all the math classes, regardless of grade, occur at the same time. That means my second grade son can skip his second grade math and go next door to attend third grade math without sacrificing a non-math class. Other Wake County schools do not make such effort to align all the math classes. For example, at our previous school, my son would have to skip language arts in order to attend the next grade level math (3rd grade), all while still stuck taking 2nd grade level math - that is, he would take both 2nd and 3rd grade level math and miss his language arts.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 873

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Cary, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 915

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Love our fifth grade teacher - experienced, invested, and effective! Amazing parent involvement and caring administration!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 741

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  458 reviews

Senior: I transferred to Middle Creek the summer after my freshman year. I was nervous about the school because it seemed stuck up and way too big for someone who used to attend a single-floor school. While I had my doubts, this school is nothing short of amazing. I don't consider my past schools my family or any help to where I got today but I most definitely consider Middle Creek my high school and family as they have taken me in with open arms and helped me succeed greatly to the point where I got accepted to my dream college. They celebrate everyone's victories and, most, of the teachers, are nothing short of amazing. Paired with a wide variety of classes, this school is great and rich in academic, sports, and social opportunities. Roll Stangs!... Read 458 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,886

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• 6-8

• grade A

• Students 1,288

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 858

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: I love this school! My kids have always had great teachers and a good group of friends. There are always off-campus field trips planned every year, plus at school field trips. Their fall fundraiser is something we look forward to every year with raffled baskets and fun activities including bounce houses. There are many opportunities for the kids including reading competitions, talent shows, and 5th graders can do safety patrol. It feels very safe, and carpool and school transportation flows smoothly.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 752

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  6 reviews

High School Sophomore: I love this school. Some of my fondest memories come from here. I don't regret a second of it... Read 6 reviews

• grade A

• Students 940

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Apex, NC•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  34 reviews

Parent: For those ready to be rid of Covid, this school has been wonderful for having in-person while offering on-line for 2020-2021. I had a senior and they were able to have a somewhat normal year. Furthermore, the 2021-2022 year has been even better with no mask requirements. Except for the few that chose to wear masks, it almost looks and feels pre-covid. New in 2021-2022 is a separate on-line academy. The curriculum is a classical education with an emphasis on critical thinking. A big plus, is high achievers can easily advance in course/grade-level work. If high achievers begin at Thales in the elementary level, they can be moved up whole grades if it's warranted. There are honors levels in all courses. There is not much AP offerings, but they are adding more every year. In 2022-2023 students will be able to take dual enrollment. Foreign language is required, but the only options are Latin and Spanish. I'd like to see stronger relationships with parents and the faculty/staff.... Read 34 reviews

• grade A

• Students 727

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 835

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  50 reviews

Senior: I've been at GRACE since kindergarten, and the community that this school provides is unlike anything I have ever seen. The class sizes are relatively small (never over 25), giving students the chance to develop relationships with each other as well as with their teachers. GRACE also gives students and teachers laptops to give access to more education and the ability to see and submit assignments online. Each student and teacher is also given an email address, which is extremely useful when communicating with teachers about needing help. The teachers do everything they can to help the students in their lives, not just academically. Every week, the students attend chapel and listen to a speaker talk about God. There is also an annual retreat at the beginning of the school year when the entire high school goes on a retreat for a few days for the students to learn more about God and build relationships with each other and the teachers while having lots of fun!... Read 50 reviews

• grade A

• Students 779

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  32 reviews

Alum: My experience at WYWLA was amazing. I was welcomed into the OWL family in the 7th grade and although I came a year late, my peers and the faculty made me feel right at home. Without WYWLA, I wouldn't be the woman I am today. Due to attending WYWLA, my transition into college happened smoothly and I already had the college "feel" due to the early college program that the school offers. I would definitely recommend this school for girls to attend because its a great recourse and experience.... Read 32 reviews

• grade A

• Students 369

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 934

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Wake County Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  531 reviews

Alum: Overall my experience at Holly Springs High School was great! However, I did attend when the pandemic was happening and was not attending in person so I didn't get the full experience. But when I was attending in person the teachers and staff were all very friendly and helpful and helped me succeed in high school and further my education in college.... Read 531 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 2,359

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1