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Excellent

#342 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 13% in state

Alston Ridge Middle

Middle School · Wake County Schools

7833 Fussell Avenue, Cary, NC 27519

Enrollment

1,532

Student-Teacher

18.9:1

Score

8.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#342 of 2,648

In Cary

#9 of 32

public schools

In district

#48 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Alston Ridge Middle

8.2/10

Middle School in Cary · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Alston Ridge Elementary

7.7/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hortons Creek Elementary

9.4/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Alston Ridge Middle

Alston Ridge Middle is a public middle school in Cary, NC, part of Wake County Schools. Alston Ridge Middle serves approximately 1,532 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Alston Ridge Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #342 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Alston Ridge Middle show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts above district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.6
  • NC avg 5.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.2 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.8Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+23.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+24 pts
Overall Proficiency79% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)71% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691
Chronic Absenteeism12%

Alston Ridge Middle — Students at Alston Ridge Middle score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.8% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 76.7% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 14 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2020*
Math
68%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
78%
2025
Math
81.1%
ELA
76.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.

How Alston Ridge Middle Compares

See how Alston Ridge Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
87th percentile in NC
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
9.5/10
Excellent
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
81 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

7833 Fussell Avenue, Cary, NC 27519

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alston Ridge Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mills Park Middle (rated 8.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lowe's Grove Middle (rated 4.1/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Durham), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cary, see our Cary schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Alston Ridge Elementary Cary 0.4 mi 7.7
Hortons Creek Elementary Cary 0.9 mi 9.4
Lyons Farm Elementary Durham 1.7 mi 8.6
Panther Creek High Cary 1.9 mi 7.8
Parkwood Elementary Durham 2.5 mi 4.5
Mills Park Middle Cary 3.0 mi 8.6
Parkside Elementary Morrisville 2.6 mi 8.8
Mills Park Elementary Cary 3.1 mi 9.1
Kestrel Heights School Durham 3.1 mi 3.7
PRIMROSE SCHOOLS AT THE PARK Morrisville 2.7 mi
Research Triangle High School Research Triangle Pk 3.2 mi 8.6
Lowe's Grove Middle Durham 3.5 mi 4.1
SOUTHPOINT ACADEMY Durham 3.3 mi 4.9
Carpenter Elementary Cary 3.5 mi 7.7
Highcroft Elementary Cary 3.9 mi 9.0
North Carolina Cyber Academy Durham 4.0 mi 4.6
NC Virtual Academy Durham 4.1 mi 4.7
Green Hope High Cary 4.0 mi 8.0
Wake EC of Information & Biotechnologies Morrisville 3.6 mi
DISCOVERY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER LLC Morrisville 3.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27519 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$159,414

Median Home Value

$614,100

Median Rent

$1,854/mo

Population

67,976

College Educated

78.2%

Homeownership

69.1%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

38.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Harris Road Middle Concord, NC 8.1
Heritage Middle Wake Forest, NC 8.3
Holly Grove Middle Holly Springs, NC 8.0
Jay M. Robinson Middle Charlotte, NC 8.0
Community House Middle Charlotte, NC 7.9
Marvin Ridge Middle Waxhaw, NC 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alston Ridge Middle

What grades does Alston Ridge Middle serve?

Alston Ridge Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Alston Ridge Middle?

Alston Ridge Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,532 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alston Ridge Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Alston Ridge Middle is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alston Ridge Middle rank in NC?

Alston Ridge Middle ranks #342 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Alston Ridge Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Alston Ridge Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alston Ridge Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Alston Ridge Middle has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

Is Alston Ridge Middle a charter school?

No, Alston Ridge Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alston Ridge Middle a Title I school?

No, Alston Ridge Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alston Ridge Middle?

20.2% of students at Alston Ridge Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,532
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
81
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Wake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.0%

District

Wake County Schools
District Enrollment
161,481
Schools in District
197
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,691
District Rank
#48 of 194

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