For the 2025-26 school year, there are 14 public preschools serving 9,105 students in Cary, NC. The top ranked public preschools in Cary, NC are Green Hope Elementary School, Highcroft Elementary School and Mills Park Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cary, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 76% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 73% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Cary have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Asian), which is more than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Cary, NC (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Green Hope Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2700 Louis Stephens Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 388-5270
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 388-5270
Gr: PK-5 | 603 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Highcroft Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5415 Highcroft Drive
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 460-3527
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 460-3527
Gr: PK-5 | 699 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Mills Park Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
509 Mills Park Dr
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 466-1466
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 466-1466
Gr: PK-5 | 645 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #44.
Hortons Creek Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7615 O'kelly Chapel Rd
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 694-8660
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 694-8660
Gr: PK-5 | 694 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #55.
Alston Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
11555 Green Level Church Rd.
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 544-2474
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 544-2474
Gr: PK-5 | 1,111 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #66.
Briarcliff Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1220 Pond St
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3443
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3443
Gr: PK-5 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #77.
Weatherstone Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1000 Olde Weatherstone Way
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 380-6988
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 380-6988
Gr: PK-5 | 718 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #88.
Carpenter Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2100 Morrisville Parkway
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 462-6780
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 462-6780
Gr: PK-5 | 680 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #99.
Farmington Woods Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1413 Hampton Valley Rd
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3469
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3469
Gr: PK-5 | 652 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1010.
Northwoods Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8850 Chapel Hill Road
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 460-3491
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 460-3491
Gr: PK-5 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1111.
Cary Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
400 Kildaire Farm Road
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3455
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3455
Gr: PK-5 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1212.
Turner Creek Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6801 Turner Creek Road
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 363-1391
Cary, NC 27519
(919) 363-1391
Gr: PK-5 | 739 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1313.
Adams Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
805 Cary Towne Blvd
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3431
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-3431
Gr: PK-5 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1414.
Kingswood Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
200 E. Johnson Street
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 460-3481
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 460-3481
Gr: PK-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Cary, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Cardinal Charter Academy West Campus (Closed 2023)
Charter School
1020 St. Charles Place
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 653-5000
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 653-5000
Kaleidoscope Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
100 Airlie Court
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 694-7030
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 694-7030
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Cary, NC?
The top ranked public preschools in Cary, NC include Green Hope Elementary School, Highcroft Elementary School and Mills Park Elementary School. Cary has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in North Carolina.
How many public preschools are located in Cary?
14 public preschools are located in Cary.
What is the racial composition of students in Cary?
Cary public preschools minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Asian), which is more than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Cary are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Cary include: Hortons Creek Elementary School vs. Alston Ridge Elementary School, Highcroft Elementary School vs. Mills Park Elementary School, Briarcliff Elementary School vs. Farmington Woods Elementary School
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