Average
#1064 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 40% in state
Cary High
High School · Wake County Schools
638 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511
Enrollment
2,136
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,136
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,064 of 2,648
In Cary
#26 of 32
public schools
In district
#115 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Cary High?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Cary High
High School in Cary · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Adams Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
East Cary Middle
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cary High
Cary High is a public high school in Cary, NC, part of Wake County Schools. Cary High serves approximately 2,136 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Cary High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,064 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Cary High show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.9 · Average
- District avg 7.0
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Cary High is a large school: 2,136 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Cary High — Students at Cary High score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 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: 6.1/10.
How Cary High Compares
See how Cary High 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
638 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cary High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Crossroads FLEX (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Wake STEM Early College High School (rated 7.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SCORE Academy (rated 4.3/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cary, see our Cary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Cary | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| East Cary Middle Cary | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Farmington Woods Elementary Cary | 1.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Cary Elementary Cary | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| TRUE ABALITIES LRNG. ACADEMY LLC Cary | 1.0 mi | — |
| TRIANGLE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Cary | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Briarcliff Elementary Cary | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| RENAISSANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CARY Cary | 1.3 mi | — |
| Kingswood Elementary Cary | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Connections Academy Cary | 1.4 mi | — |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Raleigh | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Wake STEM Early College High School Cary | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Cardinal Charter Academy Cary | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Northwoods Elementary Cary | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Crossroads FLEX Cary | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| SCORE Academy Cary | 2.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Reedy Creek Elementary Cary | 2.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Reedy Creek Middle Cary | 2.8 mi | 7.1 |
| West Cary Middle Cary | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Swift Creek Elementary Raleigh | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Pinecrest High Southern Pines, NC | 6.9 |
| Sun Valley High Monroe, NC | 6.9 |
| Piedmont High Monroe, NC | 7.0 |
| Topsail High Hampstead, NC | 7.0 |
| Green Level High Cary, NC | 6.8 |
| Jack Britt High Fayetteville, NC | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cary High
What grades does Cary High serve?
Cary High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Cary High?
Cary High has an enrollment of approximately 2,136 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cary High?
The student-teacher ratio at Cary High is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cary High rank in NC?
Cary High ranks #1,064 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cary High's MySchoolScout rating?
Cary High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Cary High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cary High has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Cary High a charter school?
No, Cary High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cary High a Title I school?
No, Cary High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cary High?
41.7% of students at Cary High 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,136
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 122
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Wake County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.7%
- Phone
- (919) 460-3549
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90.0%
Resources & Links
District
Wake County Schools- District Enrollment
- 161,481
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,691
- District Rank
- #115 of 194
Other Schools in This District
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