Carpenter Historic District · Photo: KimWrenn · CC BY-SA 3.0Cary’s public schools outscore 75% of North Carolina districts
62% of students in Cary’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the North Carolina average (50%). The grade covers the public school district serving Cary, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Cary’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 73 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Cary’s, its schools beat 81%, higher than their 75% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 62% and math 60% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,279 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
23 elementary schools, then seven middle and six high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Triangle Math and Science Academy, Cardinal Charter Academy, Cary Christian School (private), Cary Academy (private), St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School (private), Thales Academy of Cary (private), Chesterbrook Academy-Preschool and Elementary (private), Resurrection Lutheran School (private), Triangle Montessori Academy (private), Renaissance Montessori School of Cary (private), True Abalities LRNG. Academy LLC (private), Lucy Daniels School (private), Mariposa School (private), The Grove School of Cary (private) and Knowledge Beginnings School (private) are in town. Crossroads FLEX, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Cary’s grade
A−: better than 75% of North Carolina school districts, #21 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Cary, with each school’s own grade.
Cary’s public schools are run by Wake County Schools, which also serves Angier, Apex, Fuquay-Varina and Garner and others. Parts of Cary (3% of its land) are served by Chatham County Schools instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Cary vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Cary’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Cary | A− | Wake County Schools |
| Morrisville | A− | Wake County Schools |
| Raleigh | A− | Wake County Schools |
| Apex | A− | Wake County Schools |
| Durham | C+ | Durham |
| Holly Springs | A− | Wake County Schools |
4 of the 5 neighbors share Wake County Schools with Cary, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Cary
53 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Connections Academy).
Questions about Cary’s schools
Are Cary’s schools good?
By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Cary children attend outscore 75% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #21 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 81%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Cary in?
Wake County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 163,176 students in 198 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Cary are served by Chatham County Schools.
Where do Cary kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: Panther Creek High, Green Hope High, Green Level High, Cary High, Middle Creek High and Wake STEM Early College High School.
What is Cary’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Wake County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Cary spend per student?
$12,279 in Wake County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Cary?
Yes: Cary Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 844 students), Cary Academy (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 789 students), St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 498 students), Thales Academy of Cary (nonsectarian, grades K–10, 436 students), Chesterbrook Academy-Preschool and Elementary (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 214 students), Resurrection Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 176 students), Triangle Montessori Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 136 students), Renaissance Montessori School of Cary (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 69 students), True Abalities LRNG. Academy LLC (special education, grades , 19 students), Lucy Daniels School (special education, grades PK–5, 18 students), Mariposa School (special education, grades 4–12, 14 students), The Grove School of Cary (nonsectarian, grades K, 11 students) and Knowledge Beginnings School (nonsectarian, grades K, 10 students). Cary also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Cary families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cary → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.