Very Good
#1054 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 40% in state
Mills Park Elementary
Elementary School · Wake County Schools
509 Mills Park Dr, Cary, NC 27519
Enrollment
645
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
645
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cary
#11 of 32
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#835 of 1,474
In district
#95 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Mills Park Elementary
Mills Park Elementary serves 645 students in grades PK through 5 in Cary, North Carolina, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10, the school ranks 30th out of 2,661 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile for academic achievement. The school's academic performance is particularly impressive, with 91% of students achieving proficiency or above in math and 85% meeting or exceeding standards in English language arts and reading.
These strong outcomes reflect the dedicated work of 46 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a manageable 14:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. Mills Park Elementary draws families from the 27519 zip code area, where 78% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $154,632. This well-educated community, with a low poverty rate of 4.6%, creates a supportive environment for student learning and family engagement.
Located on Mills Park Drive in this thriving mid-size city of Wake County, the school serves a neighborhood known for its commitment to education and family-friendly atmosphere, making it an attractive option for families seeking academic excellence in a stable community setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Mills Park Elementary — Students at Mills Park Elementary score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.5%
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
→ 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: 5.2/10.
How Mills Park Elementary Compares
See how Mills Park Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 81% (2019) to 91.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 83% (2019) to 84.7% (2025).
Location
509 Mills Park Dr, Cary, NC 27519
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mills Park Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hortons Creek Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.2 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, Carpenter Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cary, see our Cary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mills Park Middle Cary | 0.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Highcroft Elementary Cary | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Panther Creek High Cary | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Green Hope High Cary | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Carpenter Elementary Cary | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Hortons Creek Elementary Cary | 2.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Green Hope Elementary Cary | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Green Level High Cary | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| White Oak Elementary Apex | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Turner Creek Elementary Cary | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Alston Ridge Middle Cary | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOLS AT THE PARK Morrisville | 2.8 mi | — |
| Parkside Elementary Morrisville | 3.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Alston Ridge Elementary Cary | 3.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Morrisville Elementary Morrisville | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| DISCOVERY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER LLC Morrisville | 2.9 mi | — |
| KNOWLEDGE BEGINNINGS SCHOOL Cary | 3.1 mi | — |
| Davis Drive Elementary Cary | 3.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Davis Drive Middle Cary | 3.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Cedar Fork Elementary Morrisville | 3.7 mi | 6.0 |
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 Mills Park 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 |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen Elementary Aberdeen, NC | 7.0 |
| Altamahaw-Ossipee Elementary Elon, NC | 7.0 |
| Anderson Creek Primary Bunnlevel, NC | 7.0 |
| Apex Elementary Apex, NC | 7.0 |
| Bain Elementary Mint Hill, NC | 7.0 |
| Benjamin J Martin Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mills Park Elementary
What grades does Mills Park Elementary serve?
Mills Park Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Mills Park Elementary?
Mills Park Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 645 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mills Park Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Mills Park Elementary is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mills Park Elementary rank in NC?
Mills Park Elementary is ranked #1054 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mills Park Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mills Park Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Mills Park Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mills Park Elementary has 88.4% math proficiency and 84.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mills Park Elementary a charter school?
No, Mills Park Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mills Park Elementary a Title I school?
No, Mills Park Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mills Park Elementary?
13.5% of students at Mills Park 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
- 645
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 466-1466
- 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
- #95 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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