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Average

#1910 of 2,648 schools in NC

Cary High

High School · Wake County Schools

638 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511

Enrollment

2,136

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cary

#30 of 32

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#269 of 579

In district

#163 of 194

Wake County Schools

About Cary High

Cary High serves 2,136 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Cary, North Carolina, earning a solid 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. This large public high school ranks #680 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 74th percentile with an impressive 8.5 academic score. With 122 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 17.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful classroom interaction.

Academically, Cary High demonstrates strong performance in English Language Arts, with 70% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance shows 53% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating solid foundations with opportunities for continued growth. The school benefits from its location in an affluent, education-focused community where 57% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

Students at Cary High come from families with a median household income of $98,474, and the surrounding ZIP code maintains a low 7% poverty rate. The neighborhood's median home value of $373,200 reflects the area's desirability and stability. Located on Walnut Street in this thriving mid-size city, Cary High sits at the center of one of Wake County's most sought-after communities, known for its commitment to education and family-friendly atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

Cary High is a large school with 2,136 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.9%
Math vs. State Avg-24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.3 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected-11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness9.2Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation23%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,859

Cary High — Students at Cary High score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.8%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 64.0%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
61%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
64%
2025
Math
31.5%
ELA
69.9%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Cary High Compares

See how Cary High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
28th percentile in NC
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
122 teachers

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 8.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wake STEM Early College High School (rated 5.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SCORE Academy (rated 4.0/10, 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 6.7
East Cary Middle Cary 0.4 mi 8.5
Farmington Woods Elementary Cary 1.1 mi 8.5
Cary Elementary Cary 1.1 mi 8.3
TRUE ABALITIES LRNG. ACADEMY LLC Cary 1.0 mi
TRIANGLE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Cary 1.2 mi 7.6
Briarcliff Elementary Cary 1.2 mi 6.0
RENAISSANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CARY Cary 1.3 mi
Kingswood Elementary Cary 1.6 mi 8.6
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 5.9
Cardinal Charter Academy Cary 2.2 mi 5.8
Northwoods Elementary Cary 2.1 mi 7.8
Crossroads FLEX Cary 2.0 mi 8.0
SCORE Academy Cary 2.0 mi 4.0
Reedy Creek Elementary Cary 2.8 mi 7.9
Reedy Creek Middle Cary 2.8 mi 6.8
West Cary Middle Cary 2.6 mi 6.9
Swift Creek Elementary Raleigh 2.6 mi 8.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cary High has a median household income of $104,072. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $416,600, with a median rent of $1,436/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% 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
Butler High School Matthews, NC 5.5
Millbrook High Raleigh, NC 5.5
Parkland High Winston-Salem, NC 5.5
Pinecrest High Southern Pines, NC 5.5
West Forsyth High Clemmons, NC 5.5
Apex High Apex, NC 5.6

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 is ranked #1910 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Cary High's MySchoolScout rating?

Cary High has a composite rating of 5.5 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.

What are the test scores at Cary High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cary High has 49.8% math proficiency and 64.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
59 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,393/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wake County Schools
District Enrollment
161,481
Schools in District
197
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,691
District Rank
#163 of 194

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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