Very Good
#1003 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 38% in state
Penny Road Elementary
Elementary School · Wake County Schools
10900 Penny Rd, Cary, NC 27518
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,003 of 2,648
In Cary
#25 of 32
public schools
In district
#113 of 194
Wake County Schools
School environment
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Penny Road Elementary
Elementary School in Cary · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Oak Grove Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Triangle Math and Science Academy
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Penny Road Elementary
Penny Road Elementary is a public elementary school in Cary, NC, part of Wake County Schools. Penny Road Elementary serves approximately 488 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Penny Road Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,003 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Penny Road Elementary show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- District avg 7.1
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Penny Road Elementary — Students at Penny Road Elementary score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.4/10.
How Penny Road Elementary Compares
See how Penny Road Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Baucom Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Apex), which scores notably higher. Another option is Farmington Woods Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pine Springs Preparatory Academy (rated 8.0/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Holly Springs), which scores slightly 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 | 5.8 |
| Triangle Math and Science Academy Cary | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| MARIPOSA SCHOOL Cary | 1.5 mi | — |
| RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cary | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Lufkin Road Middle Apex | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| ST ANDREWS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Apex | 2.2 mi | — |
| Farmington Woods Elementary Cary | 3.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Apex High Apex | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| TRUE ABALITIES LRNG. ACADEMY LLC Cary | 3.5 mi | — |
| Laurel Park Elementary Apex | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Apex Middle Apex | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
| GROVE SCHOOL OF CARY Cary | 3.5 mi | — |
| Briarcliff Elementary Cary | 3.7 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 8.0 |
| Apex Elementary Apex | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Middle Creek Elementary Apex | 3.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Baucom Elementary Apex | 3.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Middle Creek High Apex | 4.0 mi | 7.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allen Jay Elementary High Point, NC | 7.0 |
| Archdale Elementary School Archdale, NC | 7.0 |
| BT Bullock Elementary Sanford, NC | 7.0 |
| D F Walker Elementary Edenton, NC | 7.0 |
| Etowah Elementary Etowah, NC | 7.0 |
| GE Massey Elementary Lincolnton, NC | 7.0 |
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 ranks #1,003 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Penny Road Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Penny Road Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Penny Road Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Penny Road Elementary has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.6%
- Phone
- (919) 387-2136
Resources & Links
District
Wake County Schools- District Enrollment
- 161,481
- Schools in District
- 197
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,691
- District Rank
- #113 of 194
Other Schools in This District
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