Apex Friendship Elementary
Apex, NC 27502
Phone: (919) 694-8454
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades PK,KG,1,2,3,4,5 • 859 students
Apex Friendship Elementary, a public school located in Apex, NC, serves grades PK-5 in the Wake County School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 8 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
Apex Friendship Elementary is a public school located in Apex, NC. 859 students attend Apex Friendship Elementary.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 10/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Course Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. |
| Student Growth | 6/10 | The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2024 Student growth data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. |
Posted: July 15, 2026
My experience with Principal Tara Yunker, school psychologist Arielle Pickel, and speech-language pathologist Emily Elliott was deeply disappointing. I found their communication dismissive, cold, and lacking genuine concern for the needs of a child with disabilities.
My child had consistently been identified by previous schools and her medical team as having a speech delay and needing speech therapy. However, this school (only this school) determined that she did not need speech services. She continues to work on her speech today, and her peers still sometimes have difficulty understanding her.
Rather than focusing only on my childs individual history and needs, staff also referenced other childrens cases when explaining why support would not be provided. Every child with a disability deserves an individualized and respectful evaluation. Unfortunately, that was not our experience.
Posted: July 15, 2026
Posted: July 15, 2026
Posted: July 15, 2026
Posted: July 15, 2026
Posted: July 15, 2026
Posted: July 15, 2026
Posted: July 15, 2026
Posted: May 13, 2026
Our familys experience with the IEP process at Apex Friendship Elementary School was extremely disappointing and heartbreaking. My child has documented developmental and academic challenges, yet after going through the evaluation and IEP process, the school ultimately denied all special education services and support.
As a parent, it was incredibly painful to watch my child struggle while feeling repeatedly dismissed throughout the process. Instead of feeling supported, I often felt like I had to constantly fight to have my concerns taken seriously. Communication was inconsistent, meetings felt procedural rather than compassionate, and the process seemed more focused on finding reasons to deny services than understanding my childs actual needs.
Despite clear concerns involving academics, development, and classroom functioning, the school concluded that my child did not qualify for support. This decision left our family shocked, discouraged, and emotionally exhausted. For parents going through the IEP process for the first time, it can feel overwhelming and isolating, especially when the school system appears resistant to providing help.
I understand schools must follow eligibility guidelines, but families also deserve transparency, empathy, and a genuine commitment to supporting children who are struggling. Unfortunately, our experience at Apex Friendship Elementary did not feel collaborative or child-centered.
I hope the school and district improve how they work with families of children with disabilities and place greater emphasis on listening to parents and supporting students before they fall further behind.
Posted: May 13, 2026
Posted: May 13, 2026
Posted: May 13, 2026
Posted: May 13, 2026
Posted: May 13, 2026
Posted: May 13, 2026
Posted: May 13, 2026
Posted: November 1, 2024
My son loves his school! The teachers and staff are incredibly passionate, creating a wonderful learning environment. Ive seen great growth in him, and we enjoy open communication with his teachers. The school bus is consistently on time, with almost no delays. We truly appreciate it all.
Posted: November 1, 2024
Posted: November 1, 2024
Posted: November 1, 2024
Posted: November 1, 2024
Posted: November 1, 2024
Posted: November 1, 2024
Posted: November 1, 2024
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eagle Ridge | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Raleigh | NC | 13.6 mi | |
| 2 | Hedingham | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Raleigh | NC | 21.9 mi | |
| 3 | Winston Pointe | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Clayton | NC | 22.6 mi | |
| 4 | Forest Oaks | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Bunnlevel | NC | 27.2 mi | |
| 5 | The Summit | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Sanford | NC | 27.5 mi | |
| 6 | Sunset Ridge | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Sanford | NC | 28 mi | |
| 7 | Anderson Creek Club | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Spring Lake | NC | 28.5 mi | |
| 8 | Carolina Seasons | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Cameron | NC | 29.2 mi | |
| 9 | Overhills Creek | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Spring Lake | NC | 30.9 mi | |
| 10 | Forest Ridge | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Cameron | NC | 31.8 mi | |
| 11 | Ellerslie Subdivision | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Fayetteville | NC | 32.8 mi | |
| 12 | Castlebrooke | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Linden | NC | 33.6 mi | |
| 13 | Deerfield | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Spring Lake | NC | 34.7 mi | |
| 14 | Woodlake | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Vass | NC | 35.6 mi | |
| 15 | Kings Grant | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Fayetteville | NC | 36.4 mi | |
| 16 | Stonegate Apartments | Apartment Complex | Spring Lake | NC | 36.7 mi | |
| 17 | Inverness | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Fayetteville | NC | 37.5 mi | |
| 18 | Patriot Park Village | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Fayetteville | NC | 37.6 mi | |
| 19 | Vass Southern Pines | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Vass | NC | 38.8 mi | |
| 20 | Kinwood | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Fayetteville | NC | 38.8 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Ramsey Road | Fayetteville | NC | 34.7 mi | |
| 2 | Spring Lake | Spring Lake | NC | 36.6 mi | |
| 3 | Vass | Vass | NC | 36.9 mi | |
| 4 | Spring Lake by Ft Bragg Base | Spring Lake | NC | 37.1 mi | |
| 5 | Carthage | Carthage | NC | 37.3 mi |
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Raleigh National Guard | 13.9 mi. |
| Pope Field | 36.9 mi. |
| Fort Bragg | 41.6 mi. |
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