Skip to main content

Below Average

#2477 of 2,648 schools in NC

Score Academy

High School · Wake County Schools

5651 Dillard Dr, Cary, NC 27518

Enrollment

581

Student-Teacher

20.8:1

Score

4.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cary

#32 of 32

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#495 of 579

In district

#193 of 194

Wake County Schools

About Score Academy

SCORE Academy in Cary, North Carolina is an alternative high school serving students in grades 9 through 12. With a total enrollment of 581 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 20.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to its diverse student body. The campus, located at 5651 Dillard Drive, is situated within a mid-size city setting, providing easy access to various community resources.

While SCORE Academy currently ranks lower in academic performance metrics—holding a MySchoolScout rating of 1.4 out of 10 and placing near the bottom in state rankings—it focuses on student development through alternative educational methods tailored to non-traditional learners. The school aims to provide support for students who may need additional assistance or different approaches to succeed academically, with only 22% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 19% in Math. Despite the current academic challenges, SCORE Academy continues to serve its community by offering a unique educational experience that caters to the needs of atypical high school students.

The setting in Cary offers a blend of urban amenities and suburban charm, making it an ideal location for such specialized education.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Score Academy is 20.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.1%
Math vs. State Avg-37.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-36.5 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-31.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,859

Score Academy — Students at Score Academy score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 19.3%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 22.2%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
25%
2025
Math
18.8%
ELA
17.1%

* 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 Score Academy Compares

See how Score Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
7th percentile in NC
Academic
1.7/10
1.7/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

5651 Dillard Dr, Cary, NC 27518

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Score Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Crossroads FLEX (rated 8.0/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wake STEM Early College High School (rated 5.9/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cary High (rated 5.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cary, see our Cary schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Crossroads FLEX Cary 0.0 mi 8.0
Wake STEM Early College High School Cary 0.1 mi 5.9
Swift Creek Elementary Raleigh 0.7 mi 8.7
Connections Academy Cary 0.8 mi
Dillard Drive Middle Raleigh 0.8 mi 6.4
RENAISSANCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CARY Cary 1.0 mi
Dillard Drive Elementary Raleigh 0.9 mi 5.8
ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF RALEIGH Raleigh 0.9 mi 6.0
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Raleigh 1.2 mi 5.8
Yates Mill Elementary Raleigh 1.3 mi 5.8
CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTER Raleigh 1.3 mi
LEARN WITH THE BEST SCHOOL, INC. Raleigh 1.7 mi 6.1
Athens Drive High Raleigh 1.8 mi 5.4
Adams Elementary Cary 2.0 mi 6.7
Cary High Cary 2.0 mi 5.5
East Cary Middle Cary 2.3 mi 8.5
Farmington Woods Elementary Cary 2.1 mi 8.5
Mount Vernon Raleigh 2.7 mi 5.1
Combs Elementary Raleigh 2.5 mi 7.5
THE RALEIGH SCHOOL Raleigh 2.9 mi 6.8

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 Score Academy 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
East Wilkes High School Ronda, NC 4.0
Hibriten High Lenoir, NC 4.0
Hobbton High Newton Grove, NC 4.0
Walkertown High Walkertown, NC 4.0
West Davidson High Lexington, NC 4.0
North Stanly High New London, NC 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Score Academy

What grades does Score Academy serve?

Score Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Score Academy?

Score Academy has an enrollment of approximately 581 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Score Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Score Academy is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Score Academy rank in NC?

Score Academy is ranked #2477 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Score Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Score Academy has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Score Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Score Academy has 19.3% math proficiency and 22.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Score Academy a charter school?

No, Score Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Score Academy a Title I school?

No, Score Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Score Academy?

83.5% of students at Score Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Midsize City
County
Wake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wake County Schools
District Enrollment
161,481
Schools in District
197
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,691
District Rank
#193 of 194

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 methodology

Related 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.