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Average

#1706 of 2,648 schools in NC

Cardinal Charter Academy

Elementary School · Cardinal Charter

1020 St. Charles Place, Cary, NC 27513

Charter

Enrollment

720

Student-Teacher

25.7:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cary

#28 of 32

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#1,158 of 1,474

Academic performance

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Cardinal Charter Academy

Cardinal Charter Academy is a charter school located in Cary, North Carolina, within Wake County. The school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade and currently enrolls 720 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 25.7:1. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers, the campus at 1020 St.

Charles Place is well-equipped to support its diverse community of learners. Cardinal Charter Academy offers regular public education and focuses on providing a solid academic foundation for its students. According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school scores a 6.2 out of 10 overall, placing it at the 61st percentile among North Carolina schools.

In terms of specific subject performance, 65% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 64% meet proficiency standards in math. These statistics suggest that there is room for growth in academic achievement but also indicate a strong base to build upon. While detailed neighborhood information is not available, Cardinal Charter Academy is situated in the heart of Cary, a vibrant mid-size city known for its family-friendly environment and excellent community resources.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Charter Academy is 25.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Cardinal Charter Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.5%
Math vs. State Avg+4.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.9 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$7,990

Cardinal Charter Academy — Students at Cardinal Charter Academy score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.1%
School
State
56.8%
ELA Proficiency 65.4%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 18 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
65%
2025
Math
67.7%
ELA
65.5%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Cardinal Charter Academy Compares

See how Cardinal Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
36th percentile in NC
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

1020 St. Charles Place, Cary, NC 27513

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cardinal Charter Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kingswood Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Farmington Woods Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cary Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cary, see our Cary schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Kingswood Elementary Cary 0.6 mi 8.6
Northwoods Elementary Cary 0.6 mi 7.8
West Cary Middle Cary 0.7 mi 6.9
TRIANGLE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Cary 1.0 mi 7.6
Reedy Creek Middle Cary 1.1 mi 6.8
Reedy Creek Elementary Cary 1.2 mi 7.9
Cary Elementary Cary 1.4 mi 8.3
CARY ACADEMY Cary 1.4 mi 6.5
East Cary Middle Cary 1.8 mi 8.5
Adams Elementary Cary 2.0 mi 6.7
LUCY DANIELS SCHOOL Cary 2.1 mi
Weatherstone Elementary Cary 1.8 mi 6.1
Cary High Cary 2.2 mi 5.5
Briarcliff Elementary Cary 2.3 mi 6.0
TRUE ABALITIES LRNG. ACADEMY LLC Cary 2.5 mi
SCHOLARS ACADEMY GIFTED AND ARTISTICALLY ELITE Cary 2.2 mi 6.8
ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cary 2.4 mi 6.1
Farmington Woods Elementary Cary 3.0 mi 8.5
RENAISSANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CARY Cary 3.1 mi
CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL Raleigh 2.9 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27513 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$119,458

Median Home Value

$468,300

Median Rent

$1,491/mo

Population

47,444

College Educated

67.9%

Homeownership

63.2%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

40.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cardinal Charter Academy has a median household income of $119,458. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $468,300, with a median rent of $1,491/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% 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
Arthur W Edwards Elementary Havelock, NC 5.8
Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee, NC 5.8
Dillard Drive Elementary Raleigh, NC 5.8
Dunn Elementary Dunn, NC 5.8
Elizabeth M Cashwell Elementary Fayetteville, NC 5.8
Evergreen Community Charter Asheville, NC 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cardinal Charter Academy

What grades does Cardinal Charter Academy serve?

Cardinal Charter Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Cardinal Charter Academy?

Cardinal Charter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 720 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Charter Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Charter Academy is 25.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cardinal Charter Academy rank in NC?

Cardinal Charter Academy is ranked #1706 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Cardinal Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Cardinal Charter Academy has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Cardinal Charter Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cardinal Charter Academy has 64.1% math proficiency and 65.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cardinal Charter Academy a charter school?

Yes, Cardinal Charter Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Cardinal Charter Academy a Title I school?

No, Cardinal Charter Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cardinal Charter Academy?

41.1% of students at Cardinal Charter Academy 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,393/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cary). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Wake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cardinal Charter
District Enrollment
720
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,801
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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