Wake County Public Schools make gains in state test scores

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Wake County Public Schools reported a nearly 4% increase in overall academic proficiency, as the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction released the results of the 2025-26 state tests.

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According to the district, the proficiency rate for WCPSS rose from 64.4% last year to 68.2% this year across all grades and subjects that are tested. That’s the district’s highest rate since 2012.

The district’s four-year graduation rate rose to 91.3%, and all of its early college high schools had a four-year graduation rate of 100%, according to WCPSS.

Sixty percent of schools earned a School Performance Grade of A or B, and no WCPSS school earned an F.

Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School saw the largest increase in proficiency rate. Over the past year, the school brought its rate up from 27.4% to 44.8% in 2025-26.

Students and teachers at Southeast Raleigh High School said they’re proud of the accomplishment and aiming for an even higher score next year.

End of course tests won’t take place for months, but preparation starts early.

“That’s what we study for the whole year,” said Brea Parks-Cook, a 10th grader at Southeast Raleigh High School.

As much as she enjoys her classes, Brea said the tests are tough, but teachers work hard to make sure everyone understands the material.

“Like for Ms. Morrisey, she’s always up at the front. She went through problems and had us go through problems, and if we needed help she would come to us,” Brea said.

Sherri Morrisey, who teaches ninth grade math, loves seeing her students get excited about mathematics.

“You just have to enjoy what you do,” Morrisey said. “You have to be willing to go above and beyond expectations.

Morrisey also works to make sure students enjoy the class. Sometims that means using games to teach.

“They’re actually learning while they’re doing it,” she said. “At the same time, we’re collecting common assesment data and we are able to hone in on those weaknesses and put things in place to get them to the next level of learning.”

Students who need extra help get it.

“Those skills that they’re weak in, we’re able to reteach and review before it’s too late,” Morrisey said.

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Parents appreciate the extra effort. Brea’s mom, Renee Parks-Cook says teachers often offer extra help.

“[Morrisey] would ask if the kids needed to  come in to tutor with her after school,” Parks-Cook said. “She would always send out messages to let us know that she would be here if they needed the help.”

According to principal, George Harden, it’s also important to hold students to a high standard.

“Excellence is the standard here,” he said. “Excellence, excellence. We try to continue to push those high expectations.”

The hard work is paying off. According to WCPSS, the overall profiency rate is up significantly at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School. Students who score a three or above on a scale of 1-5 on state tests are considered proficient.

Between 2022 and 2025, proficiency rates ranged between 25% and 29%. 2026 saw a big jump with a proficiency rate of nearly 45%.

“When I heard that we ranked up, I thought it was really cool,” Brea said.

But it’s about more than just a test, though.

“Just seeing her growth, her confidence, because she really knows the work,” Brea’s mother added.

Said Morrisey, “It showed me that our Southeast Raleigh students are capable of excellence.”

There’s a lot of pride in this accomplishment, but the principal knows there’s more work ahead.

“Everybody’s saying, ‘Mr. Harden, you need to celebrate,” Harden said. “‘Soak it in’. No. We’ve got to move on and focus on the next year.

“That’s the whole goal and focus,” he continued. “We buy in, we continue to do what we’re doing, and we continue to move in the right direction.”

According to WCPSS, other schools with notable improvements in proficiency include Fuquay-Varina High, which brought scores up 14.1 points to 73.5%, Pleasant Grove Elementary, which is up  13.9 points to 74.8%, River Bend Middle, which is up 13.4 points to 45.1%, and Knightdale Elementary, where the proficiency rate rose by 13.1 points to 55%.

Nearly 80% of WCPSS schools met or exceeded expected academic growth, according to the district, with the three highest overall growth indexes at West Cary Middle, Leesville Road Middle, and River Bend Middle School.

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For a look at schools across the state, click here.