Cary Elementary

Summary:

Cary Elementary is a public elementary school serving around 470 students in grades PK-5 in Cary, North Carolina, which is part of the Wake County Schools district.

Cary Elementary stands out for its diverse student population, with a majority of White students (57%) and significant percentages of Hispanic (23%) and African American (12%) students. The school consistently performs well on state assessments, with a majority of students scoring proficient or better in Mathematics, Reading, and Science across all grade levels. Cary Elementary has maintained a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger for several years and is ranked among the top 15-25% of North Carolina elementary schools. However, the school's performance for Hispanic and English Language Learner students is more variable, with rankings ranging from the top 25% to the bottom 30% of schools.

Compared to nearby schools like Laurel Park Elementary and Farmington Woods Elementary, which also demonstrate strong academic performance, Cary Elementary generally outperforms them in terms of academic achievement. The school has also seen a significant increase in the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, from around 20% to nearly 40%, suggesting that the school's population may be experiencing greater economic challenges, which could impact academic outcomes.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 400 Kildaire Farm Road
       Cary, NC  27511


(919) 460-3455

District: Wake County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
254th of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,015 Help


Students who attend Cary Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Reedy Creek Middle
High:    Cary High
    Wake Early College of Health and Science
    Wake STEM Early College High School
    Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  12.3 Help
Number of students:  470

Racial breakdown:

White:
57.4%
Hispanic:
23.4%
African American:
12.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  39.4% Help


 See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Cary Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Cary Elementary ranks better than 83.1% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 41st among 115 ranked elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 79.24. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Cary Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (57.4%), Hispanic (23.4%), African American (12.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 39.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cary Elementary is 12.3, which is the 28th best among 115 elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Cary Elementary employs 38 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cary Elementary is $10,015. 58 elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Cary Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Cary Elementary 254th of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Cary Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Wake County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Wake County Schools 59th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Cary Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Cary Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 73.17 289th 1276 77.4%
2007 66.03 423rd 1293 67.3%
2008 68.65 378th 1324 71.5%
2009 73.36 330th 1354 75.6%
2010 73.68 319th 1363 76.6%
2011 82.75 153rd 1381 88.9%
2012 81.42 178th 1388 87.2%
2013 86.57 142nd 1403 89.9%
2014 82.24 201st 1390 85.5%
2015 80.16 238th 1440 83.5%
2016 83.52 172nd 1425 87.9%
2017 79.61 233rd 1429 83.7%
2018 72.28 357th 1434 75.1%
2019 67.27 455th 1473 69.1%
2021 73.80 337th 1489 77.4%
2022 77.97 273rd 1514 82.0%
2023 83.07 197th 1502 86.9%
2024 79.24 254th 1505 83.1%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Cary Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.04 266th 421 36.8%
2019 19.57 472nd 497 5.0%
2021 41.39 191st 385 50.4%
2022 39.55 290th 485 40.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Cary Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 56.84 557th 1332 58.2%
2019 42.08 847th 1361 37.8%
2021 45.27 690th 1329 48.1%
2022 47.93 693rd 1366 49.3%
2023 67.28 370th 1437 74.3%
2024 67.48 359th 1450 75.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Cary Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 68.95 407th 1405 71.0%
2019 70.14 386th 1424 72.9%
2021 75.02 286th 1440 80.1%
2022 78.98 237th 1458 83.7%
2023 83.96 166th 1459 88.6%
2024 71.73 339th 1455 76.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Cary Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.22 266th 897 70.3%
2019 76.58 102nd 878 88.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Cary Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 54.60 393rd 612 35.8%
2021 69.07 120th 494 75.7%
2022 63.03 194th 500 61.2%
2023 65.65 177th 582 69.6%
2024 57.89 344th 669 48.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Cary Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 73.22 337th 1413 76.2%
2019 61.96 502nd 1430 64.9%
2021 67.04 435th 1444 69.9%
2022 74.73 312th 1464 78.7%
2023 79.30 240th 1461 83.6%
2024 80.92 215th 1464 85.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Cary Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.17 123rd 927 86.7%
2019 57.00 350th 949 63.1%
2022 53.12 365th 927 60.6%
2023 74.68 157th 933 83.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Cary Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.01 582nd 851 31.6%
2019 23.13 757th 865 12.5%
2021 31.40 622nd 843 26.2%
2022 38.07 575th 893 35.6%
2023 62.27 269th 915 70.6%
2024 33.75 684th 951 28.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Cary Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 82.60 147th 1178 87.5%
2019 79.78 185th 1183 84.4%
2021 84.51 130th 1172 88.9%
2022 83.82 137th 1194 88.5%
2023 86.76 98th 1183 91.7%
2024 80.94 183rd 1166 84.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Cary Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Cary Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 731 244 12 5 6 n/a n/a 0 998
1989 742 227 15 3 3 n/a n/a 0 990
1990 706 136 15 11 4 n/a n/a 0 872
1991 728 185 12 13 2 n/a n/a 0 940
1992 587 185 8 10 1 n/a n/a 0 791
1993 560 174 11 15 3 n/a n/a 0 763
1994 776 200 26 12 1 n/a n/a 0 1015
1995 670 193 28 12 4 n/a n/a 0 907
1996 670 193 28 12 4 n/a n/a 0 907
1997 654 210 28 19 1 n/a n/a 0 912
1998 605 257 29 46 0 n/a n/a 4 941
1999 537 238 30 58 0 n/a n/a 0 863
2000 441 248 29 72 0 n/a n/a 0 790
2001 437 228 25 68 0 n/a n/a 0 758
2002 388 182 20 66 0 n/a n/a 0 656
2003 388 182 20 66 0 n/a n/a 0 656
2004 398 200 26 85 1 n/a n/a 0 710
2005 336 174 20 79 1 n/a n/a 0 610
2006 353 159 23 90 2 n/a n/a 0 627
2007 360 123 23 93 3 n/a n/a 42 644
2008 317 122 23 116 1 n/a n/a 33 612
2009 297 109 18 85 1 n/a n/a 0 510
2010 297 107 17 90 1 n/a n/a 0 512
2011 274 76 9 111 2 0 22 0 494
2012 291 70 12 115 4 0 23 0 515
2013 275 89 19 139 3 0 29 0 554
2014 302 79 23 139 3 1 32 0 579
2015 296 80 19 155 1 1 30 0 582
2016 293 70 24 148 1 2 22 0 560
2017 285 69 31 167 1 2 16 0 571
2018 267 59 32 152 1 1 16 0 528
2019 281 58 28 134 1 2 18 0 522
2020 292 58 25 133 1 2 13 0 524
2021 252 41 26 111 1 2 14 0 447
2022 281 64 21 108 1 1 19 0 495
2023 270 57 16 110 0 1 16 0 470

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Cary Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 998 47.0 21.2 14.8
1989 990 47.0 21.0 13
1990 872 42.0 20.7 19.3
1991 940 58.0 16.2 17.9
1992 791 58.0 13.6 15.9
1993 763 49.0 15.6 22.3
1994 1015 57.0 17.8 16.1
1995 907 56.0 16.2 24.8
1996 907 56.0 16.2 24.8
1997 912 56.0 16.3 21.2
1998 941 66.0 14.3 20.9
1999 863 60.0 14.4 34.9
2000 790 60.0 13.2 34.9
2001 758 57.0 13.3 43.9
2002 656 57.0 11.5 30.9
2003 656 57.0 11.5 30.9
2004 710 57.0 12.5 35.6
2005 610 54.0 11.3 39.8
2006 627 63.0 10.0 40.7
2007 644 n/a n/a 40.4
2008 612 45.7 13.4 n/a
2009 510 38.0 13.4 n/a
2010 512 34.6 14.7 36.7
2011 494 38.6 12.7 34.4
2012 515 37.8 13.6 40.2
2013 554 39.3 14.0 41.9
2014 579 40.8 14.1 42.5
2015 582 42.0 13.8 44.3
2016 560 41.0 13.6 44.1
2017 571 37.0 15.4 43.8
2018 528 35.5 14.8 40.7
2019 522 35.0 14.9 39.1
2020 524 33.4 15.6 34
2021 447 33.5 13.3 27.5
2022 495 39.0 12.6 19.4
2023 470 38.0 12.3 39.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Cary Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 998 47.0 21.2 14.8
1989 990 47.0 21.0 13
1990 872 42.0 20.7 19.3
1991 940 58.0 16.2 17.9
1992 791 58.0 13.6 15.9
1993 763 49.0 15.6 22.3
1994 1015 57.0 17.8 16.1
1995 907 56.0 16.2 24.8
1996 907 56.0 16.2 24.8
1997 912 56.0 16.3 21.2
1998 941 66.0 14.3 20.9
1999 863 60.0 14.4 34.9
2000 790 60.0 13.2 34.9
2001 758 57.0 13.3 43.9
2002 656 57.0 11.5 30.9
2003 656 57.0 11.5 30.9
2004 710 57.0 12.5 35.6
2005 610 54.0 11.3 39.8
2006 627 63.0 10.0 40.7
2007 644 n/a n/a 40.4
2008 612 45.7 13.4 n/a
2009 510 38.0 13.4 n/a
2010 512 34.6 14.7 36.7
2011 494 38.6 12.7 34.4
2012 515 37.8 13.6 40.2
2013 554 39.3 14.0 41.9
2014 579 40.8 14.1 42.5
2015 582 42.0 13.8 44.3
2016 560 41.0 13.6 44.1
2017 571 37.0 15.4 43.8
2018 528 35.5 14.8 40.7
2019 522 35.0 14.9 39.1
2020 524 33.4 15.6 34
2021 447 33.5 13.3 27.5
2022 495 39.0 12.6 19.4
2023 470 38.0 12.3 39.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Cary Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $629 (6.3%) $9,386 (93.7%) $10,015

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Cary Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 455th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 197th of 1502 Elementary schools
 17.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Cary Elementary)62.569.2
 6.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)69.467.4
 2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Cary Elementary)64.864.1
 0.7%
   3rd Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)6658.7
 7.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Cary Elementary)65.370.1
 4.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)6565
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Cary Elementary)58.474.6
 16.2%
   4th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)63.265.7
 2.5%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Cary Elementary)73.375.6
 2.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)6665.6
 0.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Cary Elementary)67.869.5
 1.7%
   5th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)60.659.1
 1.5%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Cary Elementary)78.979.3
 0.4%
   5th Grade Science (Wake County Schools)71.370.6
 0.7%
   5th Grade Science (North Carolina)72.665.3
 7.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students522470
 10%
African American5857
 1.7%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian2816
 42.9%
Hispanic134110
 17.9%
Pacific Islander21
 50%
White281270
 3.9%
Two or More Races1816
 11.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients39.1%39.4%
 0.3%


Schools Near Cary Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Cary Elementary

In the 2022-23 school year, 470 students attended Cary Elementary.

Cary Elementary ranks 254th of 1505 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students at Cary Elementary are 57% White, 23% Hispanic, 12% African American, 3% Asian, 3% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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