Average
#1969 of 2,648 schools in NC
Penny Road Elementary
Elementary School · Wake County Schools
10900 Penny Rd, Cary, NC 27518
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cary
#31 of 32
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,269 of 1,474
In district
#170 of 194
Wake County Schools
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Penny Road Elementary
Penny Road Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Cary, North Carolina, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 488 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child succeed academically. Penny Road Elementary has 37 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.9 out of 10, placing it in the 54th percentile among North Carolina schools with a state ranking of #1215 out of 2661. The academic score at Penny Road Elementary is 7.2/10, reflecting solid performance across all grades. In ELA and reading, 60% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 65% meet proficiency standards.
Penny Road Elementary is situated in a mid-size city, providing easy access to local amenities and resources for both students and families. This setting allows the school to engage with its community and offer opportunities that enhance learning beyond the classroom.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Penny Road Elementary — Students at Penny Road Elementary score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.4%
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: 3.1/10.
How Penny Road Elementary Compares
See how Penny Road Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 69% (2019) to 67.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 58.9% (2025).
Location
10900 Penny Rd, Cary, NC 27518
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penny Road Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Farmington Woods Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Laurel Park Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Apex), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Middle Creek Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Apex), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cary, see our Cary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Grove Elementary Raleigh | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Triangle Math and Science Academy Cary | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| MARIPOSA SCHOOL Cary | 1.5 mi | — |
| RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cary | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Lufkin Road Middle Apex | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| ST ANDREWS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Apex | 2.2 mi | — |
| Farmington Woods Elementary Cary | 3.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Apex High Apex | 3.0 mi | 5.6 |
| TRUE ABALITIES LRNG. ACADEMY LLC Cary | 3.5 mi | — |
| Laurel Park Elementary Apex | 3.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Apex Middle Apex | 2.9 mi | 6.2 |
| GROVE SCHOOL OF CARY Cary | 3.5 mi | — |
| Briarcliff Elementary Cary | 3.7 mi | 6.0 |
| THALES ACADEMY APEX K-5 Apex | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| PEACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Apex | 3.5 mi | — |
| Pine Springs Preparatory Academy Holly Springs | 3.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Apex Elementary Apex | 3.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Middle Creek Elementary Apex | 3.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Baucom Elementary Apex | 3.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Middle Creek High Apex | 4.0 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27518 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$121,242
Median Home Value
$594,900
Median Rent
$1,537/mo
Population
18,995
College Educated
72.1%
Homeownership
65.5%
Avg Commute
23.9 min
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Median Age
47.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Penny Road Elementary has a median household income of $121,242. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $594,900, with a median rent of $1,537/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Cherryville Elementary Cherryville, NC | 5.4 |
| Coltrane-Webb Elementary Concord, NC | 5.4 |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton, NC | 5.4 |
| Gibsonville Elementary Gibsonville, NC | 5.4 |
| Hunter Elementary Greensboro, NC | 5.4 |
| Lindley Park Elementary Asheboro, NC | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penny Road Elementary
What grades does Penny Road Elementary serve?
Penny Road Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Penny Road Elementary?
Penny Road Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 488 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penny Road Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Penny Road Elementary is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penny Road Elementary rank in NC?
Penny Road Elementary is ranked #1969 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Penny Road Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Penny Road Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Penny Road Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penny Road Elementary has 65.1% math proficiency and 60.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Penny Road Elementary a charter school?
No, Penny Road Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penny Road Elementary a Title I school?
No, Penny Road Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penny Road Elementary?
34.4% of students at Penny Road 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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 488
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Wake County
- Phone
- (919) 387-2136
- 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
- #170 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.