Average
#1108 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 42% in state
Highcroft Elementary
Elementary School · Wake County Schools
5415 Highcroft Drive, Cary, NC 27519
Enrollment
699
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
699
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cary
#13 of 32
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#863 of 1,474
In district
#103 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic performance
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Highcroft Elementary
Highcroft Elementary serves 699 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Cary, North Carolina, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10, the school ranks 62nd among North Carolina's 2,661 elementary schools, placing it in the 98th percentile statewide. Academic achievement at Highcroft is exceptional, with 92% of students performing at proficient or above levels in mathematics and 83% reaching proficiency in English Language Arts and reading.
The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6 to 1, supported by 48 full-time equivalent teachers who work with students across all grade levels. Located at 5415 Highcroft Drive in Wake County, the school serves a well-educated community where 78% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 27519 ZIP code reflects an affluent area with a median household income of $154,632 and median home values of $564,600.
The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 4.6%, contributing to a stable learning environment. Highcroft Elementary operates as a regular public school within the thriving mid-size city of Cary, benefiting from both suburban amenities and strong community support that helps foster academic excellence.
Score Breakdown
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Highcroft Elementary — Students at Highcroft Elementary score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
7.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 5.4/10.
How Highcroft Elementary Compares
See how Highcroft Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 83% (2019) to 91.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 78% (2019) to 82.6% (2025).
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 8.8/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is White Oak Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Apex), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY-PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.0 |
| Mills Park Middle Cary | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Green Hope High Cary | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Carpenter Elementary Cary | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Green Hope Elementary Cary | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Turner Creek Elementary Cary | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Panther Creek High Cary | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Green Level High Cary | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| KNOWLEDGE BEGINNINGS SCHOOL Cary | 2.2 mi | — |
| Morrisville Elementary Morrisville | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Davis Drive Elementary Cary | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Davis Drive Middle Cary | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| White Oak Elementary Apex | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| 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 | 8.8 |
| Parkside Elementary Morrisville | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY-PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY Cary | 2.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Salem Middle Apex | 3.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Peak Charter Academy Apex | 3.8 mi | 6.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highcroft Elementary has a median household income of $159,414. It is a well-educated community where 78% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $614,100, with a median rent of $1,854/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Avery's Creek Elementary Arden, NC | 6.9 |
| Brentwood Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 6.9 |
| Fairview School Sylva, NC | 6.9 |
| Harris Creek Elementary Raleigh, NC | 6.9 |
| Heritage Elementary Wake Forest, NC | 6.9 |
| Idlewild Elementary Charlotte, NC | 6.9 |
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 is ranked #1108 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Highcroft Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Highcroft Elementary has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Highcroft Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highcroft Elementary has 88.8% math proficiency and 82.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (919) 460-3527
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wake County Schools- District Enrollment
- 161,481
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,691
- District Rank
- #103 of 194
Other Schools in This District
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
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