- Oak Grove Elementary — 1.3 mi · Grades PK–5 · 553 students
- Penny Road Elementary — 1.7 mi · Grades K–5 · 509 students
- Farmington Woods Elementary — 1.9 mi · Grades PK–5 · 648 students
- Yates Mill Elementary — 2.5 mi · Grades PK–5 · 538 students
- Wake STEM Early College High School — 2.5 mi · Grades 9–13 · 294 students
- Crossroads FLEX — 2.5 mi · Grades 9–12 · 139 students
- SCORE Academy — 2.5 mi · Grades 9–12 · 584 students
- Briarcliff Elementary — 2.7 mi · Grades PK–5 · 486 students
with district
| Metric | Wake County Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 159,778 | 3,544 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 197 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $12,279/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 30% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 115 rated districts in NC → 96th percentile → 10/10.
Source: North Carolina Dept. of Public Instruction EOG, grades 3–8 Reading & Math Grade Level Proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Wake County Schools
Families in zip code 27518 (Cary, North Carolina) are assigned to Wake County Schools for public education through 13th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
With a rating of 10/10 (top-tier), Wake County Schools ranks among North Carolina’s top-tier-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in North Carolina’s EOG grades 3–8 Reading & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because North Carolina is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Wake County Schools ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in North Carolina on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 27518 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 27518
Children in zip code 27518 are assigned to Wake County Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 13th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 27518, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Wake County Schools at (919)431-7400 or visit www.wcpss.net/. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — North Carolina districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Cary
For families considering a purchase in the Cary area, district assignment matters financially. Because Wake County Schools serves zip code 27518, homes in and around zip code 27518 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In North Carolina, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Wake County Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 27518.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Wake County Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 27518 data.