Cary High

caryhs.wcpss.net/

2,145 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

Cary High School, located in the heart of downtown Cary, North Carolina, is a historic institution that serves as a cornerstone of the Wake County Public School System. As one of the oldest high schools in the region, it balances a deep sense of tradition with a modern commitment to academic excellence. The school offers a diverse and comprehensive curriculum, including a wide array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, and specialized electives designed to prepare students for both higher education and the competitive workforce.

Beyond the classroom, Cary High is widely recognized for its vibrant campus culture and robust extracurricular offerings. Students are encouraged to engage in a variety of athletic programs, arts initiatives, and student-led clubs, all of which contribute to the school’s “Imp” spirit—a nod to their long-standing mascot. With its central location and strong community ties, Cary High School fosters an inclusive environment that emphasizes leadership, civic responsibility, and academic growth for its diverse student body.

2,145

Total Students

122.1

Full-Time Teachers

17.6

Student/Teacher Ratio

36.7%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Cary High
Demographic	Student Count
White	912
Hispanic	626
Black	392
Asian	108
Two or More	99
American Indian	4
Pacific Islander	4

White
912 (42.5 %)
Hispanic
626 (29.2 %)
Black
392 (18.3 %)
Asian
108 (5.0 %)
Two or More
99 (4.6 %)
American Indian
4 (0.2 %)
Pacific Islander
4 (0.2 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Wake County Schools
Phone:	(919)460-3549
Website:	http://caryhs.wcpss.net/
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	2,145
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	122.1
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	17.6
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	742
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	46

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 9 615

Grade 10 567

Grade 11 520

Grade 12 443

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Cary High
Grade	Student Count
Grade 9	615
Grade 10	567
Grade 11	520
Grade 12	443

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Cary High
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	1,028	47.9%
Male	1,117	52.1%

Nearby High Schools (Within 10 Miles)