Average
#1706 of 2,648 schools in NC
Cardinal Charter Academy
Elementary School · Cardinal Charter
1020 St. Charles Place, Cary, NC 27513
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Cardinal Charter Academy — Students at Cardinal Charter Academy score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
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 18 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.1/10.
How Cardinal Charter Academy Compares
See how Cardinal Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 67.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 65.5% (2025).
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.
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
- Phone
- (919) 653-5000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.