For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 4,371 students in the neighborhood of Downtown, Raleigh, NC.
The top ranked public schools in Downtown are Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy, Moore Square Middle School and Washington Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
The neighborhood of Downtown, Raleigh, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 71% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in the neighborhood of Downtown, Raleigh, NC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
567 East Hargett St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 664-5644
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 664-5644
Grades: 6-13
| 274 students
Rank: #22.
Moore Square Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 South Person Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 664-5737
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 664-5737
Grades: 6-8
| 590 students
Rank: #33.
Washington Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1000 Fayetteville St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7960
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7960
Grades: K-5
| 478 students
Rank: #44.
Hunter Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1018 E Davie St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7676
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7676
Grades: PK-5
| 630 students
Rank: #55.
Ligon Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
706 E Lenoir St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7929
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-7929
Grades: 6-8
| 904 students
Rank: #66.
Carnage Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1425 Carnage Dr
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7600
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7600
Grades: 6-8
| 878 students
Rank: #77.
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
Grades: K-8
| 450 students
Rank: #88.
Phillips High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1923 Milburnie Rd
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7710
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 856-7710
Grades: 9-12
| 125 students
Rank: n/an/a
North Raleigh Charter Academy
Charter School
301 N. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 807-3300
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 807-3300
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
301 N. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
(984) 245-0050
Raleigh, NC 27604
(984) 245-0050
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in the neighborhood of Downtown, Raleigh, NC?
The top ranked public schools in the neighborhood of Downtown, Raleigh, NC include Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy, Moore Square Middle School and Washington Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in the neighborhood of Downtown, Raleigh?
13 public schools are located in the neighborhood of Downtown, Raleigh.
What is the racial composition of students in the neighborhood of Downtown, Raleigh?
the neighborhood of Downtown, Raleigh public schools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
