Highcroft Elementary

Summary:

Highcroft Elementary is a highly-ranked public elementary school located in Cary, North Carolina, serving 721 students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Wake County Schools district, which is ranked 59th out of 242 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

Highcroft Elementary consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in North Carolina, with students performing exceptionally well on state assessments, often exceeding 90% proficiency in mathematics and reading. The school's diverse student population includes a significant Asian student population (over 50%) and a relatively even distribution of other racial groups. Highcroft maintains a low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 13.7 to 15.3 over the past three years, lower than nearby schools like White Oak Elementary and Hortons Creek Elementary. Additionally, Highcroft has a very low percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a relatively high socioeconomic status of the student population.

The exceptional performance of Highcroft Elementary's students, including those from diverse subgroups, is truly remarkable. The school's consistent top rankings and impressive test scores make it a shining example of educational excellence in the Wake County Schools district and the state of North Carolina. While Highcroft's performance is exceptional, several nearby schools in the Cary area also demonstrate strong academic results and high rankings, suggesting a concentration of high-performing schools in the region.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 5415 Highcroft Drive
       Cary, NC  27519


(919) 460-3527

District: Wake County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
10th of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,277 Help


Students who attend Highcroft Elementary usually attend:

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

Student/teacher ratio:  14.5 Help
Number of students:  699

Racial breakdown:

Asian:
51.1%
White:
28.9%
African American:
7.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  7.9% Help


 See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Highcroft Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Highcroft Elementary ranks better than 99.3% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 2nd 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 97.66. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Asian (51.1%), White (28.9%), African American (7.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 7.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highcroft Elementary is 14.5. 104 elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Highcroft Elementary employs 48 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highcroft Elementary is $8,277. 114 elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Highcroft Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Highcroft Elementary 10th of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Highcroft Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Wake County Schools:

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


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Rank History for Highcroft Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Highcroft Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 92.48 20th 1276 98.4%
2007 92.13 12th 1293 99.1%
2008 95.57 10th 1324 99.2%
2009 89.34 58th 1354 95.7%
2010 87.06 86th 1363 93.7%
2011 89.06 51st 1381 96.3%
2012 91.39 8th 1388 99.4%
2013 98.77 10th 1403 99.3%
2014 97.90 6th 1390 99.6%
2015 96.92 9th 1440 99.4%
2016 95.48 21st 1425 98.5%
2017 94.76 24th 1429 98.3%
2018 94.78 29th 1434 98.0%
2019 94.76 27th 1473 98.2%
2021 98.03 15th 1489 99.0%
2022 97.43 11th 1514 99.3%
2023 98.10 3rd 1502 99.8%
2024 97.66 10th 1505 99.3%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Highcroft Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 97.43 10th 421 97.6%
2019 98.07 3rd 497 99.4%
2023 99.51 2nd 514 99.6%
2024 97.51 11th 533 97.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Highcroft Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.04 855th 1332 35.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Highcroft Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 93.12 36th 1405 97.4%
2019 93.37 31st 1424 97.8%
2021 97.08 19th 1440 98.7%
2022 96.34 16th 1458 98.9%
2023 97.51 4th 1459 99.7%
2024 96.95 9th 1455 99.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Highcroft Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 71.25 142nd 897 84.2%
2019 70.78 144th 878 83.6%
2022 88.11 26th 634 95.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Highcroft Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 64.11 240th 612 60.8%
2021 74.67 58th 494 88.3%
2024 68.19 148th 669 77.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Highcroft Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 95.02 18th 1413 98.7%
2019 94.66 29th 1430 98.0%
2021 98.01 11th 1444 99.2%
2022 97.24 8th 1464 99.5%
2023 98.22 3rd 1461 99.8%
2024 97.34 8th 1464 99.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Highcroft Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.85 17th 99 82.8%
2019 75.12 27th 106 74.5%
2021 69.82 40th 95 57.9%
2022 74.26 27th 107 74.8%
2023 80.64 12th 114 89.5%
2024 72.42 33rd 130 74.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Highcroft Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.49 103rd 927 88.9%
2024 96.05 15th 924 98.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Highcroft Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 97.39 4th 865 99.5%
2022 93.61 30th 893 96.6%
2024 97.57 13th 951 98.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Highcroft Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.68 96th 1178 91.9%
2019 80.98 173rd 1183 85.4%
2021 93.98 23rd 1172 98.0%
2022 92.03 35th 1194 97.1%
2023 92.67 22nd 1183 98.1%
2024 94.14 13th 1166 98.9%
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.

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





Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Highcroft Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2005 412 44 50 5 0 n/a n/a 0 511
2006 530 69 64 16 2 n/a n/a 0 681
2007 663 37 103 17 1 n/a n/a 40 861
2008 721 36 163 34 n/a n/a n/a 57 1011
2009 519 66 87 20 0 n/a n/a 0 692
2010 540 96 95 22 0 n/a n/a 0 753
2011 577 28 98 38 1 0 43 0 785
2012 585 26 112 42 0 0 47 0 812
2013 570 33 143 44 0 0 46 0 836
2014 594 36 220 48 2 0 37 0 937
2015 575 32 278 46 3 0 30 0 964
2016 570 29 334 61 2 0 30 0 1026
2017 456 35 378 57 2 0 19 0 947
2018 435 44 417 49 1 0 18 0 964
2019 399 31 473 62 1 2 22 0 990
2020 350 24 450 63 0 2 36 0 925
2021 282 28 423 55 1 2 32 0 823
2022 241 38 389 51 2 2 35 0 758
2023 217 40 383 42 0 1 38 0 721
2024 202 52 357 45 1 0 42 0 699

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 Highcroft Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2005 511 n/a n/a 7.6
2006 681 39.0 17.5 5
2007 861 n/a n/a 4.4
2008 1011 64.0 15.8 n/a
2009 692 46.4 14.9 n/a
2010 753 45.7 16.5 9.8
2011 785 46.6 16.8 5.2
2012 812 45.9 17.6 5.8
2013 836 50.6 16.4 5.4
2014 937 57.6 16.2 4.5
2015 964 59.0 16.3 3.7
2016 1026 63.0 16.2 5.2
2017 947 56.1 16.8 5.5
2018 964 57.6 16.7 4.4
2019 990 58.1 17.0 4.8
2020 925 60.2 15.3 4.2
2021 823 53.5 15.3 4.5
2022 758 55.0 13.7 4.2
2023 721 50.0 14.4 6.9
2024 699 48.0 14.5 7.9

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 Highcroft Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2005 511 n/a n/a 7.6
2006 681 39.0 17.5 5
2007 861 n/a n/a 4.4
2008 1011 64.0 15.8 n/a
2009 692 46.4 14.9 n/a
2010 753 45.7 16.5 9.8
2011 785 46.6 16.8 5.2
2012 812 45.9 17.6 5.8
2013 836 50.6 16.4 5.4
2014 937 57.6 16.2 4.5
2015 964 59.0 16.3 3.7
2016 1026 63.0 16.2 5.2
2017 947 56.1 16.8 5.5
2018 964 57.6 16.7 4.4
2019 990 58.1 17.0 4.8
2020 925 60.2 15.3 4.2
2021 823 53.5 15.3 4.5
2022 758 55.0 13.7 4.2
2023 721 50.0 14.4 6.9
2024 699 48.0 14.5 7.9

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 Highcroft Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $370 (4.5%) $7,907 (95.5%) $8,277

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Highcroft 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 27th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 3rd of 1502 Elementary schools
 1.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Highcroft Elementary)95.497.1
 1.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)69.467.4
 2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Highcroft Elementary)89.789.9
 0.2%
   3rd Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)6658.7
 7.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Highcroft Elementary)94.696.8
 2.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)6565
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Highcroft Elementary)83.291.8
 8.6%
   4th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)63.265.7
 2.5%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Highcroft Elementary)8893.5
 5.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)6665.6
 0.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Highcroft Elementary)85.288.9
 3.7%
   5th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)60.659.1
 1.5%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Highcroft Elementary)87.494.1
 6.7%
   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 Students990721
 27.2%
African American3140
 29%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian473383
 19%
Hispanic6242
 32.3%
Pacific Islander21
 50%
White399217
 45.6%
Two or More Races2238
 72.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients4.8%6.9%
 2.1%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Highcroft Elementary

Students at Highcroft Elementary are 51% Asian, 29% White, 7% African American, 6% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races.

Yes! Highcroft Elementary is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 10th of 1505 North Carolina elementary schools.

In the 2023-24 school year, 699 students attended Highcroft Elementary.


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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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