Average
#1628 of 2,648 schools in NC
Briarcliff Elementary
Elementary School · Wake County Schools
1220 Pond St, Cary, NC 27511
Enrollment
456
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
456
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cary
#26 of 32
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,120 of 1,474
In district
#143 of 194
Wake County Schools
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Briarcliff Elementary
Briarcliff Elementary in Cary, North Carolina is a regular public elementary school that serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 456 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 32 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' education. Located in the heart of Cary, a vibrant mid-size city, Briarcliff Elementary is situated at 1220 Pond Street.
The academic performance at Briarcliff Elementary shows room for growth. According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school ranks 5.4 out of 10 and holds a state ranking of #1455 among 2661 schools in North Carolina (placing it around the 45th percentile). On average, 60% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 53% meet proficiency standards in Math.
The school is committed to fostering a strong educational foundation for its diverse student body. Briarcliff Elementary is nestled within a community that values education and offers many resources beyond the classroom. With its strategic location in Cary, students benefit from being part of a thriving city with ample opportunities for enrichment and growth both inside and outside of school hours.
Score Breakdown
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Briarcliff Elementary — Students at Briarcliff Elementary score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.1/10.
How Briarcliff Elementary Compares
See how Briarcliff Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 56.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 59.7% (2025).
Location
1220 Pond St, Cary, NC 27511
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Briarcliff Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kingswood Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Farmington Woods Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cary Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cary, see our Cary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TRUE ABALITIES LRNG. ACADEMY LLC Cary | 0.4 mi | — |
| Cary Elementary Cary | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Farmington Woods Elementary Cary | 1.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Cary High Cary | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| East Cary Middle Cary | 1.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Kingswood Elementary Cary | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Adams Elementary Cary | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Northwoods Elementary Cary | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| TRIANGLE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Cary | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Cardinal Charter Academy Cary | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Weatherstone Elementary Cary | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| West Cary Middle Cary | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| MARIPOSA SCHOOL Cary | 2.4 mi | — |
| GROVE SCHOOL OF CARY Cary | 2.1 mi | — |
| ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cary | 2.3 mi | 6.1 |
| SCHOLARS ACADEMY GIFTED AND ARTISTICALLY ELITE Cary | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cary | 2.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Triangle Math and Science Academy Cary | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Laurel Park Elementary Apex | 2.3 mi | 8.1 |
| RENAISSANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CARY Cary | 2.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27511 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$104,072
Median Home Value
$416,600
Median Rent
$1,436/mo
Population
33,279
College Educated
57.8%
Homeownership
67.4%
Avg Commute
22.9 min
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Median Age
41.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Briarcliff Elementary has a median household income of $104,072. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $416,600, with a median rent of $1,436/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bolivia Elementary Bolivia, NC | 6.0 |
| Bruns Avenue Elementary Charlotte, NC | 6.0 |
| Brunson Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 6.0 |
| Charles H. Parker Academic Center Charlotte, NC | 6.0 |
| Churchland Elementary Lexington, NC | 6.0 |
| East Elementary Monroe, NC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Briarcliff Elementary
What grades does Briarcliff Elementary serve?
Briarcliff Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Briarcliff Elementary?
Briarcliff Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 456 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Briarcliff Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Briarcliff Elementary is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Briarcliff Elementary rank in NC?
Briarcliff Elementary is ranked #1628 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Briarcliff Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Briarcliff Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Briarcliff Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Briarcliff Elementary has 52.8% math proficiency and 59.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Briarcliff Elementary a charter school?
No, Briarcliff Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Briarcliff Elementary a Title I school?
No, Briarcliff Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Briarcliff Elementary?
31.6% of students at Briarcliff Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,393/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cary). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 456
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 460-3443
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wake County Schools- District Enrollment
- 161,481
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,691
- District Rank
- #143 of 194
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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