East Cary Middle

Summary:

East Cary Middle is a public middle school located in Cary, North Carolina, serving grades 6-8 with a student population of 627. The school is part of the Wake County Schools district, which is ranked 59 out of 242 districts in North Carolina and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

East Cary Middle consistently outperforms the Wake County Schools and North Carolina state averages in standardized test scores across all grade levels and subject areas. The school also has a more diverse student population compared to some nearby schools, with a racial makeup of 52.79% White, 14.35% African American, 21.85% Hispanic, 5.26% Asian, and 5.42% two or more races. Additionally, East Cary Middle has a lower percentage of free and reduced-price lunch recipients (35.25%) compared to schools like Centennial Campus Middle (66.21%) and Dillard Drive Middle (50.41%), and a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 13.2.

East Cary Middle's consistent academic performance, racial diversity, and efficient resource allocation are notable strengths. However, the school should continue to monitor and address any achievement gaps among its student subgroups to ensure equitable outcomes for all students. The school's strong performance suggests it is providing a high-quality education to its diverse student population, but there is still room for improvement in addressing the needs of economically disadvantaged students and ensuring all students, regardless of their background, have the support they need to succeed.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 1111 SE Maynard Road
       Cary, NC  27511


(919) 466-4377

District: Wake County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
123rd of 793 North Carolina Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,391 Help


Feeder schools for East Cary Middle:

Elementary:    Adams Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  12.3 Help
Number of students:  623

Racial breakdown:

White:
51.8%
Hispanic:
23.9%
African American:
13.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  37.7% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details East Cary Middle ranks better than 84.5% of middle schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 17th among 38 ranked middle schools in the Wake County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 80.91. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at East Cary Middle is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (51.8%), Hispanic (23.9%), African American (13%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 37.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at East Cary Middle is 12.3, which is the 5th best among 38 middle schools in the Wake County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare East Cary Middle employs 50.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at East Cary Middle is $10,391, which is the 8th highest among 38 middle schools in the Wake County Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

East Cary Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks East Cary Middle 123rd of 793 North Carolina public middle schools. (See East Cary Middle in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status 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.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for East Cary Middle

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Compare

Rank History for all students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2009 82.93 64th 630 89.8%
2010 77.91 114th 640 82.2%
2011 78.70 102nd 648 84.3%
2012 78.25 107th 662 83.8%
2013 81.88 95th 673 85.9%
2014 79.08 121st 627 80.7%
2015 77.22 140th 705 80.1%
2016 83.81 81st 692 88.3%
2017 85.01 72nd 694 89.6%
2018 74.17 155th 691 77.6%
2019 64.81 246th 737 66.6%
2021 59.28 268th 741 63.8%
2022 67.01 226th 786 71.2%
2023 80.76 134th 784 82.9%
2024 80.91 123rd 793 84.5%
See the entire list of North Carolina Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.76 35th 221 84.2%
2019 85.37 19th 237 92.0%
2022 48.75 136th 283 51.9%
2023 84.39 30th 302 90.1%
2024 78.91 44th 306 85.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.48 51st 151 66.2%
2019 54.88 56th 211 73.5%
2021 41.30 119th 236 49.6%
2022 44.67 135th 312 56.7%
2023 45.97 132nd 318 58.5%
2024 47.92 145th 356 59.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 64.30 86th 473 81.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.64 414th 604 31.5%
2019 28.99 494th 639 22.7%
2021 38.36 384th 633 39.3%
2022 51.43 296th 689 57.0%
2023 68.77 163rd 735 77.8%
2024 70.86 147th 743 80.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.31 136th 656 79.3%
2019 65.93 221st 684 67.7%
2021 57.20 274th 706 61.2%
2022 59.93 263rd 733 64.1%
2023 75.81 149th 731 79.6%
2024 80.16 125th 738 83.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.98 79th 475 83.4%
2019 55.62 160th 504 68.3%
2021 40.16 276th 478 42.3%
2022 59.10 102nd 449 77.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 61.02 180th 416 56.7%
2021 72.13 91st 448 79.7%
2022 60.14 200th 450 55.6%
2023 70.34 92nd 452 79.6%
2024 68.63 103rd 461 77.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 71.16 173rd 665 74.0%
2019 60.76 266th 697 61.8%
2021 59.67 252nd 711 64.6%
2022 71.00 183rd 748 75.5%
2023 82.91 110th 747 85.3%
2024 79.56 128th 751 83.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.60 50th 95 47.4%
2019 51.49 57th 102 44.1%
2022 52.63 59th 109 45.9%
2024 64.40 54th 110 50.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 71.06 87th 494 82.4%
2019 56.96 168th 519 67.6%
2021 45.95 244th 533 54.2%
2022 56.52 181st 550 67.1%
2023 73.01 95th 559 83.0%
2024 79.97 74th 560 86.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.85 315th 472 33.3%
2019 21.24 438th 493 11.2%
2021 27.95 409th 522 21.6%
2022 25.95 431st 541 20.3%
2023 46.60 282nd 553 49.0%
2024 47.27 289th 564 48.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at East Cary Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 82.96 78th 596 86.9%
2019 75.16 136th 624 78.2%
2021 77.94 115th 632 81.8%
2022 78.27 131st 658 80.1%
2023 86.07 73rd 656 88.9%
2024 85.20 81st 652 87.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Middle 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.

East Cary Middle 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: 2.4)
20%

0%

20%

20%

40%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, November 18, 2021

Open Quote November 17, 2021
There is a strong concern related to students' safety within East Cary Middle School. There has been an increasing in bullying and physical fighting on school property. Instead of being completely transparent with the parents, each case is hidden from the parents. We are not asking for details of who the kids are but noticed it a tread within a certain groups of kids. very concerning about how they response of ISS or suspense and no mediation or parents involvement. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, January 14, 2019

Open Quote Lots of room for improvement. Seems to be going downhill fast. Enrollment is low and there seems to be a huge gap in achievement between white students and students of color. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, August 10, 2018

Open Quote Disappointed that ECMS has such ineffective leadership, it's almost invisible. No sign of principal during morning carpool and if it's an after school event, you may find her standing at the entry way texting on her phone. Her new hires are hit or miss (a very clear "miss" in the music program, sadly). Frustrated at lack of response from email queries (I get a response half of the time). Equally frustrated when having to deal with some teachers that manipulate their authority around students - creating an environment of "fear". Is it safe to ask a question, approach a teacher for help? Depends on how the teacher feels that day. Good day or bad...there should always be consistency in what a student can expect FROM the teacher. Close Quote



Enrollment information for East Cary Middle

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2008 92 17 23 37 0 n/a n/a 16 185
2009 240 87 55 60 0 n/a n/a 0 442
2010 465 177 100 98 2 n/a n/a 0 842
2011 431 112 103 111 2 0 51 0 810
2012 390 109 67 119 1 0 39 0 725
2013 349 126 61 158 3 0 30 0 727
2014 409 141 71 179 4 1 26 0 831
2015 491 129 88 187 6 1 31 0 933
2016 546 155 103 181 7 2 42 0 1036
2017 485 149 98 171 3 0 49 0 955
2018 418 134 101 196 3 0 49 0 901
2019 343 125 119 181 2 0 47 0 817
2020 249 107 26 180 0 1 20 0 583
2021 286 104 31 171 0 1 31 0 624
2022 324 98 33 144 1 0 31 0 631
2023 331 90 33 137 2 0 34 0 627
2024 323 81 38 149 2 0 30 0 623

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 East Cary Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2008 185 19.0 9.7 n/a
2009 442 32.5 13.6 n/a
2010 842 51.0 16.4 23.6
2011 810 49.7 16.2 23.7
2012 725 50.0 14.5 29.2
2013 727 50.9 14.2 38.9
2014 831 55.0 15.0 32
2015 933 62.0 15.0 27.8
2016 1036 64.0 16.1 25
2017 955 61.5 15.5 27.5
2018 901 59.5 15.1 27.9
2019 817 55.7 14.6 33.9
2020 583 40.3 14.4 44.3
2021 624 43.5 14.3 36.1
2022 631 47.0 13.4 20
2023 627 47.3 13.2 35.2
2024 623 50.5 12.3 37.7

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 East Cary Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2008 185 19.0 9.7 n/a
2009 442 32.5 13.6 n/a
2010 842 51.0 16.4 23.6
2011 810 49.7 16.2 23.7
2012 725 50.0 14.5 29.2
2013 727 50.9 14.2 38.9
2014 831 55.0 15.0 32
2015 933 62.0 15.0 27.8
2016 1036 64.0 16.1 25
2017 955 61.5 15.5 27.5
2018 901 59.5 15.1 27.9
2019 817 55.7 14.6 33.9
2020 583 40.3 14.4 44.3
2021 624 43.5 14.3 36.1
2022 631 47.0 13.4 20
2023 627 47.3 13.2 35.2
2024 623 50.5 12.3 37.7

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 East Cary Middle

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $516 (5.0%) $9,875 (95.0%) $10,391

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

Impact of COVID-19 on East Cary Middle

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 246th of 737 Middle schoolsRanks 134th of 784 Middle schools
 16.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade Mathematics (East Cary Middle)60.871.6
 10.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)66.163.8
 2.3%
   6th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)58.852.3
 6.5%
6th Grade Reading (East Cary Middle)62.667.4
 4.8%
   6th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)67.861.6
 6.2%
   6th Grade Reading (North Carolina)6049.3
 10.7%
7th Grade Mathematics (East Cary Middle)59.360.1
 0.8%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)6662.3
 3.7%
   7th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)58.450.1
 8.3%
7th Grade Reading (East Cary Middle)64.268.2
 4%
   7th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)67.361.6
 5.7%
   7th Grade Reading (North Carolina)58.850.2
 8.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (East Cary Middle)6254.3
 7.7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)59.657
 2.6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)52.644.8
 7.8%
8th Grade Reading (East Cary Middle)64.368
 3.7%
   8th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)64.860.9
 3.9%
   8th Grade Reading (North Carolina)55.651
 4.6%
8th Grade Science (East Cary Middle)82.581.7
 0.8%
   8th Grade Science (Wake County Schools)82.476.3
 6.1%
   8th Grade Science (North Carolina)78.670.3
 8.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students817627
 23.3%
African American12590
 28%
American Indian22
Asian11933
 72.3%
Hispanic181137
 24.3%
Pacific Islander00
White343331
 3.5%
Two or More Races4734
 27.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients33.9%35.2%
 1.3%


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Frequently Asked Questions about East Cary Middle

In the 2023-24 school year, 623 students attended East Cary Middle.

East Cary Middle ranks 123rd of 793 North Carolina middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students at East Cary Middle are 52% White, 24% Hispanic, 13% African American, 6% Asian, 5% 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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