• Comprehensive high school, grades 9-12
• Opened in 1978
• Community school- public library in the high school
• Traditional Calendar
• Block Schedule- 4 period day
• Hours: 7:25 am - 2:18 pm
• Current number of students: 2070
• Became a magnet school in 2016
• Magnet Theme: Medical Sciences and Global Health Initiatives
• 184 Faculty and Staff
• 28 National Board Certified Teachers
• 32% of faculty have advanced degrees
• 55% of faculty have been at Athens Drive for 10 or more years

We are located inside the beltline and minutes from Research Triangle Park and major universities. Our preferred location sets the stage for unique, extensive professional, and academic collaborations. Our students engage in presentations, job shadowing, internships, and research with prestigious corporations and universities. We are fortunate to have strong community support for our school.

 

	Ahmad Odeh- Cardiothoracic surgery at WakeMed- Read more here
	NIEHS Environmental Factor: Local High School turns to NIEHS to develop magnet curriculum NIEHS Environmental Factor: Environmental Health a Hot Topic for Students
	The Best Medicine: Athens Drive Magnet High School has a new magnet theme that builds on a rich legacy

 

• 2024 Donald P. Simpson Award Recipient by Magnet Schools of America (#1 Magnet School in America)
• 2024 Magnet Schools of America School of Excellence
• 2023 Magnet Schools of America School of Excellence
• 2022 Magnet Schools of America School of Distinction
• 2020 Magnet Schools of America School of Distinction
• 2019 Magnet Schools of America School of Excellence: New and Emerging
• 2018 Magnet Schools of America School of Distinction: New and Emerging

• 2016-2019 Wake Ed Partnership- Shane Barry- PBL coach, Summer STEM lead, Star of Education

• 2017 Poe Center for Health Education-  Educator of the Year- Tonya Hinton

• 2019 - 2020 Yearbook: Received the National Scholastic Press Association’s top rating of All-America

• 2018 Wake Ed Partnership Summer STEM Externships awarded to Alicia Hatmaker (social studies) and Joseph Flory (math) for cross-curricular PBL support in epidemiology and emerging diseases in history

•  2017 Wake Ed Partnership Externships awarded to Sherry Wantz (Biogen), Madison Shope (Biogen), Ross Kennel (NCSU ASSIST RET), Logan Caldwell (NCSU ASSIST RET), Liz Luna (SAS/Cisco), Ryan Sickles (SAS/Cisco), April Jones (NCSU Biomedical Engineering Lab)

• 2017 Triangle Global Health Consortium Global Bootcamp Graduate- Tonya Hinton

• 2017- Appointed One Health Commission Bat and Rabies Education Team- Jennifer Hulsey

• Multiple band awards, including Grand Champion at several competitions, 2016 Honor Band of North Carolina

• Multiple art awards, including the International focus, Artsplosure, and SparkCon highest honors

• 2016-17 Eileen Williams Service in Mathematics Education Award, NCSU- Ginger Harrell

• 2017 Regional Science Olympiad, multiple awards in ten categories

• 33 National Board Certified Teachers 

 

 

Education Quality
Wake County Magnet Schools offer an exceptional education. In 2016, 27 Wake County Magnet Schools won national awards, and the North Carolina Board of Education honored a Wake County elementary school as one of the state’s top STEM schools. Parents also choose magnet schools for their smaller class sizes and excellent teachers and principals.

School Assignment Stability
Those who apply and enter magnet schools in Wake County will never face reassignment as some traditional public school students might. This means magnet schools provide stability in a child’s school path from elementary to high school.

Curriculum
Magnet schools use themes, or innovative focuses, to provide electives and interesting curricula that goes well beyond what is offered at traditional schools. In order to push students to become leaders for change, Wake County Magnet Schools implement hands-on learning and foster creative environments that allow students to become independent and curious. Wake County offers a variety of themes across elementary, middle, and high school levels, allowing students to apply to programs that fit their interests. Language immersion, Gifted and Talented, and International Baccalaureate programs can span a child’s education. Other themes include Engineering, Global Studies, Digital Sciences, and Leadership and Technology.

Partnerships
Students at Wake County Magnet Schools reap the benefits of partnerships with outside programs. Partnerships with early colleges, Wake Tech, state government, and North Carolina hospitals spark students’ interest in higher education and provide college-level experience before graduating high school. Wake County Magnet Schools have also been selected by the Lenovo Scholar Network to create mobile apps for a national competition and awarded grants like the Burroughs Wellcome Fund for STEM Learning.

Diversity
Wake County Magnet Schools give students from all over the county the opportunity to come together for a new experience. By enrolling students from neighborhoods of different racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds, magnet schools create a diverse student body. This allows students to explore beyond their own neighborhood and socialize with others who bring new experiences and perspectives.

WCPSS Magnet Information

WCPSS Magnet Application Process

Magnet Application Dates for this school year will be announced soon.

Explanation of WCPSS Magnet Priorities

Current WCPSS Magnet Priorities

Athens Drive Magnet High School Transportation Information