Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy is a public secondary school for girls in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is a part of Wake County Public School System. The school's current principal since 2022 is Dr. Mariah Walker. It has grades 6–12, with the Governor Morehead School's campus housing grades 6–10.
Serving 358 students in grades 6-13, Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy ranks in the top 5% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 75-79% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 87% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 6-13
- Enrollment: 358 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 66%
- Graduation Rate: ≥90% (Top 30% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5%
- Math Proficiency: 75-79% (Top 10%)
- Reading Proficiency: 87% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 90-94% (Top 5%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy's student population of 358 students has grown by 9% over five school years.
The teacher population of 22 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 6-13
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
358 students
Total Classroom Teachers
22 teachers
School Rankings
Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy ranks within the top 5% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy is 0.72, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#128 out of 2617 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)75-79%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
87%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
90-94%
63%
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
6%
4%
Hispanic
18%
21%
Black
36%
25%
White
34%
43%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥90%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
28%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
1%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy's ranking?
Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy is ranked #128 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in North Carolina.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
75-79% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 87% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy?
The graduation rate of Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy is 90%, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 86%.
How many students attend Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy?
358 students attend Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
36% of Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy students are Black, 34% of students are White, 18% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Asian, and 6% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy?
Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy offer ?
Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy offers enrollment in grades 6-13 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy part of?
Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy is part of Wake County Schools School District.
School Reviews
Review Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.

Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State’s Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We’ll look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.

Can Your Child’s School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.