Very Good
#961 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 36% in state
Cardinal Charter Academy
Elementary School · Cardinal Charter
1020 St. Charles Place, Cary, NC 27513
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#961 of 2,648
In Cary
#23 of 32
public schools
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Cardinal Charter Academy
Elementary School in Cary · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Kingswood Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Northwoods Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cardinal Charter Academy
Cardinal Charter Academy is a public elementary school in Cary, NC, part of Cardinal Charter. Cardinal Charter Academy serves approximately 720 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 25.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Cardinal Charter Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #961 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Cardinal Charter Academy show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Cardinal Charter Academy runs 25.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Cardinal Charter Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cardinal Charter Academy — Students at Cardinal Charter Academy score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 32 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: 8.7/10.
How Cardinal Charter Academy Compares
See how Cardinal Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Farmington Woods Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Weatherstone Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Northwoods Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 7.0 |
| Northwoods Elementary Cary | 0.6 mi | 7.8 |
| West Cary Middle Cary | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| TRIANGLE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Cary | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Reedy Creek Middle Cary | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Reedy Creek Elementary Cary | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Cary Elementary Cary | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| CARY ACADEMY Cary | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| East Cary Middle Cary | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Adams Elementary Cary | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| LUCY DANIELS SCHOOL Cary | 2.1 mi | — |
| Weatherstone Elementary Cary | 1.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Cary High Cary | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Briarcliff Elementary Cary | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 6.2 |
| Farmington Woods Elementary Cary | 3.0 mi | 8.4 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allen Jay Elementary High Point, NC | 7.0 |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford, NC | 7.0 |
| Belmont Central Elementary Belmont, NC | 7.0 |
| Fuquay-Varina Elementary Fuquay-Varina, NC | 7.0 |
| Jefferson Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 7.0 |
| Jefferson Elementary Greensboro, NC | 7.0 |
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 ranks #961 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cardinal Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal Charter Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Cardinal Charter Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cardinal Charter Academy has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.2%
- Phone
- (919) 653-5000
Resources & Links
District
Cardinal Charter- District Enrollment
- 720
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $8,801
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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