Help with public schools? (Raleigh, Cary: school districts, relocating to, rankings)

[californiagroovygal]

My family is relocating to NC and the research I have been doing on Middle Schools is overwhelming. It appears as tthough APEX scored 10 out of 10 at all their middle schools but I have not heard much about the area. I keep hearing about Heritage which their 2 middle schools scored 9's. Cary middle schools scored 9's also.
How long is the wait for a MAGNET school and are they comprable to a private school?
I would love advice from anyone with middle school children attending in Apex, Cary or Heritage.

Thaks In Advance,
california groovy gal

[MAtoNC!]

Magnet Program Application Process and Schedule: Wake County Public School System Magnet Programs

[gunni]

There are many good Middle schools in Cary/Apex area and in Wake County.
If I were relocating to the area, I would not base my decision solely on the scores and rankings from the websites. Some of the schools are fairly new and do not have the history, others may have had issues in the past but since been resolved etc. The Wake County schools (Cary/Apex/Morrisville/Raleigh etc) are quite good and not too different from each other, unlike in CA where there are significant differences in school districts right next to each other (top notch next to worst performing etc)