Look at a map of Northeast Georgia and you’ll find Winder, a spot that’s seen some serious growth lately. Right in the thick of it is Apalachee High School. If you’re a parent moving to Barrow County or a local just trying to keep tabs on the school board, you’ve probably spent some time Googling the apalachee high school ranking.
It’s a rabbit hole. Honestly, depending on which site you click, Apalachee looks like a world-beater or just another mid-tier suburban school. The data is messy. You have Niche giving it one grade, U.S. News giving it another, and the Georgia Department of Education dropping massive spreadsheets that require a PhD to decode.
So, let's just get into what's actually happening on the ground in 2026.
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The Raw Data Behind the Apalachee High School Ranking
Numbers don't lie, but they sure do hide things. If you look at the most recent 2026 data, Apalachee High School holds a solid B+ grade from Niche. That’s not just a participation trophy. It puts them at #131 out of 442 public high schools in Georgia.
In the local context? They are currently ranked the #2 best public high school in Barrow County. They are often neck-and-neck with Winder-Barrow High, though the newer Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy (BASA) has been shaking up the local hierarchy with some sky-high metrics.
Graduation Rates are the Real Story
Forget the "prestige" rankings for a second. The most impressive part of the apalachee high school ranking is the graduation rate. For the Class of 2025, Apalachee hit a record-high 92.5% graduation rate.
Think about that.
That’s significantly higher than the Georgia state average, which sits around 87.2%. Principal Jessica Rehberg recently pointed out that this wasn't an accident. It’s the result of a multi-year push to support kids who were struggling after the 2020-2021 disruptions.
Beyond the Standard Test Scores
Most people look at the SAT scores and call it a day. At Apalachee, the average SAT score is hovering around 1110, and the average ACT is about a 23.
Sure, those aren't North Gwinnett numbers. But they are respectable.
The nuance here—the thing most ranking sites miss—is the CTAE (Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education) participation. Apalachee is heavy on "pathways." We’re talking about kids finishing school with actual certifications in things like healthcare, welding, or information technology.
If you just look at a "college prep" ranking, you’re only seeing half the school.
Diversity and Culture
Interestingly, Apalachee ranks very high in diversity. It is the #1 most diverse public high school in Barrow County and sits in the top 20 for the entire state of Georgia.
You’ve got a mix of everything here. That diversity often gets overlooked in "best of" lists that focus purely on zip code wealth, but it's a huge part of the daily experience for the 1,900+ students on campus.
What the "Expert" Sites Get Wrong
U.S. News & World Report likes to weigh "College Readiness" above almost everything else. Because of that, schools like Apalachee sometimes get dinged because their AP (Advanced Placement) enrollment isn't at 80%.
But check the stats: in 2025, over 1,500 AP classes were taken across the Barrow County system. Apalachee students are doing the work; they just also happen to be heavily invested in Dual Enrollment.
In 2026, many students are opting to take classes at the University of North Georgia or Lanier Technical College instead of taking the AP exam. Rankings that don't account for that "missing" data give a skewed version of the apalachee high school ranking.
The Athlete Factor
If you’re moving here for sports, the ranking looks a bit different. MaxPreps has had the Wildcats' football program in a bit of a rebuilding phase, recently ranking them #382 in the state.
But rankings in sports change as fast as the weather in Georgia. While the football team is grinding through a tough 5A region, other programs like cheer and baseball often punch way above their weight class in state standings.
Is the Ranking High Enough for You?
Choosing a school based on a number is sorta like choosing a spouse based on their credit score. It tells you something, but it doesn't tell you if you'll be happy.
Apalachee has a student-teacher ratio of about 15:1. That’s actually better than many of the "top-ranked" schools in Gwinnett or Forsyth where classes are bursting at the seams.
The Nitty-Gritty
- Math Proficiency: Around 33% (This is an area where the school is actively trying to improve).
- Reading Proficiency: Around 31%.
- College Interest: Most graduates head to UGA, Georgia State, or Kennesaw State.
Navigating Your Next Steps
If you are trying to make a decision based on the apalachee high school ranking, don't just look at the 2026 "Grade."
Check the School Improvement Plan (SIP). Barrow County publishes these annually. Look at the specific goals for math and literacy. If those numbers are trending up, the school is on the right track regardless of what a third-party website says.
Schedule a tour. Seriously. No ranking can tell you how the "vibe" is in the hallways during a class change.
Look at the CTAE pathways. If your kid isn't the "standard" four-year university type, Apalachee’s vocational rankings might matter way more to you than their SAT average.
Compare against BASA. If you live in-district, you might have the option for the Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy. Their rankings are often higher, but they are a "choice" school with a different environment.
Apalachee High School is a large, diverse, traditional high school that is currently outperforming the state in graduation and growth. It’s a "B+" school that, for the right student, provides an "A+" trajectory.