Average
#1166 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 44% in state
Mills Park Middle
Middle School · Wake County Schools
441 Mills Park Drive, Cary, NC 27519
Enrollment
1,628
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,628
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cary
#15 of 32
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#151 of 475
In district
#109 of 194
Wake County Schools
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Mills Park Middle
Mills Park Middle serves 1,628 students in grades 6-8 in Cary, North Carolina, and stands as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1 and 88 full-time teachers, the school ranks #258 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide. The school's academic excellence is evident in its impressive test scores, with 91% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and an outstanding 94% reaching proficiency in Math.
This strong performance has earned Mills Park Middle a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10, with an academic score of 9.7 out of 10. Located on Mills Park Drive in the heart of Cary, the school serves a highly educated community where 78% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects the area's prosperity, with a median household income of $154,632 and median home values of $564,600.
The low poverty rate of 4.6% in the 27519 ZIP code area contributes to a stable learning environment. Mills Park Middle operates within Wake County's school system, benefiting from the resources and educational focus of this well-regarded mid-size city known for its excellent schools and family-friendly atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mills Park Middle — Students at Mills Park Middle score 93% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
6.9%
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: 6.3/10.
How Mills Park Middle Compares
See how Mills Park Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 83% (2019) to 95.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 84% (2019) to 91% (2025).
Location
441 Mills Park Drive, Cary, NC 27519
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mills Park Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Davis Drive Middle (rated 6.6/10, 3.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Alston Ridge Middle (rated 6.5/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cary, see our Cary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mills Park Elementary Cary | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Highcroft Elementary Cary | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Panther Creek High Cary | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Carpenter Elementary Cary | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Green Hope High Cary | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Hortons Creek Elementary Cary | 2.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Green Hope Elementary Cary | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Green Level High Cary | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| White Oak Elementary Apex | 2.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Alston Ridge Middle Cary | 3.0 mi | 6.5 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOLS AT THE PARK Morrisville | 2.7 mi | — |
| Turner Creek Elementary Cary | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Parkside Elementary Morrisville | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Alston Ridge Elementary Cary | 3.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Morrisville Elementary Morrisville | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| DISCOVERY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER LLC Morrisville | 2.9 mi | — |
| KNOWLEDGE BEGINNINGS SCHOOL Cary | 3.2 mi | — |
| Davis Drive Elementary Cary | 3.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Davis Drive Middle Cary | 3.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Cedar Fork Elementary Morrisville | 3.6 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Carmel Middle Charlotte, NC | 6.8 |
| Community House Middle Charlotte, NC | 6.8 |
| Fuquay-Varina Middle Fuquay-Varina, NC | 6.8 |
| Hickory Ridge Middle Harrisburg, NC | 6.7 |
| Davis Drive Middle Cary, NC | 6.6 |
| Holly Ridge Middle Holly Springs, NC | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mills Park Middle
What grades does Mills Park Middle serve?
Mills Park Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Mills Park Middle?
Mills Park Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,628 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mills Park Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Mills Park Middle is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mills Park Middle rank in NC?
Mills Park Middle is ranked #1166 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mills Park Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Mills Park Middle has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mills Park Middle has 90.5% math proficiency and 89.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mills Park Middle a charter school?
No, Mills Park Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mills Park Middle a Title I school?
No, Mills Park Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mills Park Middle?
6.9% of students at Mills Park Middle 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
- Walk Score
- 19 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 13 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,393/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cary). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,628
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 88
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 6.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 466-1500
- 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
- #109 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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