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Excellent

#78 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 3% in state

Highcroft Elementary

Elementary School · Wake County Schools

5415 Highcroft Drive, Cary, NC 27519

Enrollment

699

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#78 of 2,648

In Cary

#4 of 32

public schools

In district

#16 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic performance

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Highcroft Elementary

9.0/10

Elementary School in Cary · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mills Park Elementary

9.1/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Mills Park Middle

8.6/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highcroft Elementary

Highcroft Elementary is a public elementary school in Cary, NC, part of Wake County Schools. Highcroft Elementary serves approximately 699 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Highcroft Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #78 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Highcroft Elementary show 88% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts above district
  • This school 9.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.1
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency91.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+27.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+36 pts
Overall Proficiency87% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)75% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691
Chronic Absenteeism11.6%

Highcroft Elementary — Students at Highcroft Elementary score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

7.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 88.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 83.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
93%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
97%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
97%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
86%
ELA
79%
2016
Math
86%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
78%
2018
Math
83%
ELA
78%
2019
Math
83%
ELA
78%
2020*
Math
83%
ELA
86%
2021*
Math
83%
ELA
86%
2022
Math
88.7%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
91.7%
ELA
82.6%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Highcroft Elementary Compares

See how Highcroft Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
97th percentile in NC
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
8%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5415 Highcroft Drive, Cary, NC 27519

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highcroft Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hortons Creek Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Mills Park Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Green Hope Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cary, see our Cary schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Mills Park Elementary Cary 1.0 mi 9.1
Mills Park Middle Cary 1.1 mi 8.6
Green Hope High Cary 1.0 mi 8.0
Carpenter Elementary Cary 1.4 mi 7.7
Green Hope Elementary Cary 1.4 mi 9.0
Turner Creek Elementary Cary 2.0 mi 6.9
Panther Creek High Cary 2.1 mi 7.8
Green Level High Cary 2.1 mi 6.8
KNOWLEDGE BEGINNINGS SCHOOL Cary 2.2 mi
Morrisville Elementary Morrisville 2.2 mi 8.0
Davis Drive Elementary Cary 2.4 mi 8.9
Davis Drive Middle Cary 2.5 mi 8.7
White Oak Elementary Apex 2.5 mi 9.0
DISCOVERY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER LLC Morrisville 2.6 mi
PRIMROSE SCHOOLS AT THE PARK Morrisville 2.9 mi
Hortons Creek Elementary Cary 3.1 mi 9.4
Parkside Elementary Morrisville 3.2 mi 8.8
CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY-PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY Cary 2.8 mi 7.9
Salem Middle Apex 3.6 mi 7.7
Peak Charter Academy Apex 3.8 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27519 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$159,414

Median Home Value

$614,100

Median Rent

$1,854/mo

Population

67,976

College Educated

78.2%

Homeownership

69.1%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

38.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Charlotte East Language Academy Charlotte, NC 9.0
Chatham Grove Elementary Pittsboro, NC 9.0
Grandy Primary Camden, NC 9.0
Green Hope Elementary Cary, NC 9.0
Holly Springs Elementary Holly Springs, NC 9.0
McDeeds Creek Elementary Southern Pines, NC 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highcroft Elementary

What grades does Highcroft Elementary serve?

Highcroft Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Highcroft Elementary?

Highcroft Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 699 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highcroft Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Highcroft Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highcroft Elementary rank in NC?

Highcroft Elementary ranks #78 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Highcroft Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highcroft Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 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 Highcroft Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highcroft Elementary has 88% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Highcroft Elementary a charter school?

No, Highcroft Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Highcroft Elementary a Title I school?

No, Highcroft Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highcroft Elementary?

7.9% of students at Highcroft Elementary 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
20 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
699
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
7.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Wake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.6%

District

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

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