Average
#184 of 404 private schools in NC
Top 45% of private schools
Cary Academy
High School
1500 N HARRISON AVE, Cary, NC 27513
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 32 schools in Cary. Learn more
Enrollment
784
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
784
Student-Teacher
8.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Cary
#4 of 6
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#17 of 33
Academic performance
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Cary Academy
Cary Academy serves 784 students in grades 6-12 in Cary, North Carolina, offering a comprehensive educational experience with an impressive 8.8:1 student-teacher ratio. This regular public school benefits from 89 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with significant individual attention and support throughout their middle and high school years. The school receives a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10, though it ranks #278 out of 404 schools statewide, placing it in the 31st percentile among North Carolina schools.
This suggests the school is focusing on student development and has opportunities for continued academic growth. Located at 1500 N Harrison Ave, Cary Academy sits in the heart of an affluent and highly educated community. The surrounding 27513 ZIP code reflects a prosperous area with a median household income of $116,669 and median home values of $432,500.
The neighborhood's commitment to education is evident, with 68% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 4.9%. The school operates in Cary's mid-size city environment, where nearly 50,000 residents enjoy the benefits of a well-established suburban community that values educational excellence and family-oriented living.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, Cary Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Cary Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $36,284
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $36,937
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.02x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 85%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $90.9M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 784 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Cary Academy compares to 16 public schools serving similar grades in Cary, NC
Student Demographics
Nearby High Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cary Academy (this school) | 6.5 |
| Reedy Creek Middle | 6.8 |
| Cardinal Charter Academy | 5.8 |
| West Cary Middle | 6.9 |
| East Cary Middle | 8.5 |
| Cary High | 5.5 |
| Connections Academy | — |
| Wake STEM Early College High School | 5.9 |
| Crossroads FLEX | 8.0 |
| SCORE Academy | 4.0 |
| Davis Drive Middle | 6.6 |
| Green Hope High | 6.2 |
| Triangle Math and Science Academy | 6.3 |
| Panther Creek High | 5.7 |
| Mills Park Middle | 6.8 |
| Alston Ridge Middle | 6.5 |
| Green Level High | 6.3 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NC.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in NC
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1500 N HARRISON AVE, Cary, NC 27513
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cary Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ACCELERATOR SCHOOL LLC (rated 6.7/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Morrisville), with a very similar rating. Another option is CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Raleigh), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cary High (rated 5.5/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cary, see our Cary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Reedy Creek Middle Cary | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Reedy Creek Elementary Cary | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Cardinal Charter Academy Cary | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| LUCY DANIELS SCHOOL Cary | 1.6 mi | — |
| Kingswood Elementary Cary | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
| TRIANGLE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Cary | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| West Cary Middle Cary | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Northwoods Elementary Cary | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Cary Elementary Cary | 2.7 mi | 8.3 |
| East Cary Middle Cary | 2.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Adams Elementary Cary | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL Raleigh | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Cary High Cary | 3.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Weatherstone Elementary Cary | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
| THE RALEIGH SCHOOL Raleigh | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| ACCELERATOR SCHOOL LLC Morrisville | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Briarcliff Elementary Cary | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| SCHOLARS ACADEMY GIFTED AND ARTISTICALLY ELITE Cary | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| TRUE ABALITIES LRNG. ACADEMY LLC Cary | 3.8 mi | — |
| RENAISSANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CARY Cary | 3.9 mi | — |
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 Cary 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 |
|---|---|
| Carrboro High Carrboro, NC | 6.4 |
| East Carteret High Beaufort, NC | 6.6 |
| East Lincoln High Denver, NC | 6.6 |
| Manteo High School Manteo, NC | 6.4 |
| Robert L. Patton High School Morganton, NC | 6.4 |
| Brevard High Brevard, NC | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cary Academy
What grades does Cary Academy serve?
Cary Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Cary Academy?
Cary Academy has an enrollment of approximately 784 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cary Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Cary Academy is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Cary Academy rank in NC?
Cary Academy is ranked #184 out of 404 private schools in NC.
What is Cary Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Cary Academy has a composite rating of 6.5 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.
Is Cary Academy a private school?
Yes, Cary Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Cary Academy a religious school?
No, Cary Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,393/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cary). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 784
- Gender Split
- 53% M / 47% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 89
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 178 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- WAKE
- Phone
- (919) 677-3873
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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