Mills Park Elementary

Public PK, KG-5

 509 Mills Park Dr
       Cary, NC  27519


(919) 466-1466

District: Wake County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
24th of 1,502 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,738 Help


Students who attend Mills Park Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Mills Park Middle
High:    Panther Creek High
    Wake Early College of Health and Science
    Wake STEM Early College High School
    Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  14.1 Help
Number of students:  702

Racial breakdown:

Asian:
51.7%
White:
31.2%
Hispanic:
11.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  13.5% Help


 See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Mills Park Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Mills Park Elementary ranks better than 98.4% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 5th among 115 ranked elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 96.12. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Asian (51.7%), White (31.2%), Hispanic (11.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 13.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Mills Park Elementary is 14.1. 92 elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Mills Park Elementary employs 49.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Mills Park Elementary is $8,738. 110 elementary schools in the Wake County Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Mills Park Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Mills Park Elementary 24th of 1502 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Mills Park Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Asian students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Wake County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Wake County Schools 65th of 243 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Mills Park Elementary.

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Rank History for Mills Park Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Mills Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2009 90.69 40th 1354 97.0%
2010 88.61 58th 1363 95.7%
2011 89.74 36th 1381 97.4%
2012 90.00 40th 1388 97.1%
2013 98.79 9th 1403 99.4%
2014 96.82 16th 1390 98.8%
2015 95.85 15th 1440 99.0%
2016 95.61 19th 1425 98.7%
2017 96.43 11th 1429 99.2%
2018 96.54 10th 1434 99.3%
2019 95.81 20th 1473 98.6%
2021 98.20 14th 1489 99.1%
2022 97.09 18th 1514 98.8%
2023 96.12 24th 1502 98.4%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Mills Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 40.43 287th 497 42.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Mills Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 47.39 737th 1361 45.8%
2023 69.97 317th 1437 77.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Mills Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.99 18th 1405 98.7%
2019 94.18 24th 1424 98.3%
2021 98.59 6th 1440 99.6%
2022 95.98 19th 1458 98.7%
2023 93.98 39th 1459 97.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Mills Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.11 32nd 897 96.4%
2019 92.65 27th 878 96.9%
2021 88.86 28th 646 95.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Mills Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 61.39 281st 612 54.1%
2023 66.07 169th 582 71.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Mills Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 96.50 7th 1413 99.5%
2019 95.56 18th 1430 98.7%
2021 95.98 31st 1444 97.9%
2022 97.08 12th 1464 99.2%
2023 96.42 17th 1461 98.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Mills Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 80.59 10th 106 90.6%
2021 82.76 5th 95 94.7%
2022 79.51 9th 107 91.6%
2023 78.00 18th 114 84.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Mills Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.60 455th 851 46.5%
2019 49.87 419th 865 51.6%
2021 74.07 137th 843 83.7%
2022 66.29 213th 893 76.1%
2023 73.61 161st 915 82.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Mills Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.30 33rd 1178 97.2%
2019 82.98 145th 1183 87.7%
2021 89.63 60th 1172 94.9%
2022 87.04 86th 1194 92.8%
2023 87.09 92nd 1183 92.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Mills Park Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.7)
67%

0%

0%

0%

33%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Open Quote This is an awesome school, great teachers, great classrooms, parents are very involved and helping out in classrooms.
BUT this is considered as an overcrowded school in the disctrict with over a 1,000 students for only 815 max capacity....
This means that my KG had lunch at 10:40 last year, yes ten forty, and there was one class that eating before.
This year my 4 th grader is eating at 1:10 Nd there is at least one more class behind if not two....
It also means that most of the "other teaching" like tutoring is done in the hallway as these classes have been given away tp accomodate a regular full time class.
The principal is loved, involved nice and you can talk to to him anytime. Overall an awesome school, that's why it's so popular and ... Overcrowded

You should also know that it is not because you live in the school district that you will get this school. Because it's overcrowded they redirct new students to other schools near by, and sibblings have priority over new comers.

The middle school shares some of the athletics equipment like the outdoor track for PE. It's really next door. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, September 26, 2011

Open Quote I have 3 children currently enrolled at Mills Park and have been very impressed with the education they are receiving. There is a high degree of parental involvement. The PTA is top notch, and all the staff we have encountered have been caring, passionate, and intelligent. The curriculum is challenging. My second grader is doing pre algebra.. I considered both home schooling and private school, but have been so impressed with this school I plan on keeping my kids here. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Mills Park Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2009 375 99 149 30 1 n/a n/a 0 654
2010 433 114 202 44 1 n/a n/a 0 794
2011 473 89 252 83 2 0 48 0 947
2012 509 76 282 83 3 0 48 0 1001
2013 489 61 303 75 3 0 35 0 966
2014 473 56 311 77 3 3 33 0 956
2015 463 62 385 66 6 3 28 0 1013
2016 430 68 418 60 8 4 30 0 1018
2017 417 58 466 72 5 2 31 0 1051
2018 343 34 486 63 4 1 37 0 968
2019 315 30 457 64 5 1 37 0 909
2020 274 26 435 73 3 0 36 0 847
2021 237 28 417 82 2 0 25 0 791
2022 226 25 391 74 2 0 17 0 735
2023 219 24 363 81 2 0 13 0 702

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Mills Park Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2009 654 44.8 14.6 n/a
2010 794 48.2 16.5 11.2
2011 947 54.9 17.2 13.2
2012 1001 60.8 16.4 11.4
2013 966 59.5 16.2 8.6
2014 956 59.6 16.0 8.2
2015 1013 60.0 16.8 7.9
2016 1018 62.0 16.4 7.3
2017 1051 61.7 17.0 6.3
2018 968 55.6 17.3 5.5
2019 909 55.5 16.3 6.2
2020 847 52.6 16.0 7.7
2021 791 52.0 15.2 5.6
2022 735 55.0 13.3 3.8
2023 702 49.7 14.1 13.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Mills Park Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2009 654 44.8 14.6 n/a
2010 794 48.2 16.5 11.2
2011 947 54.9 17.2 13.2
2012 1001 60.8 16.4 11.4
2013 966 59.5 16.2 8.6
2014 956 59.6 16.0 8.2
2015 1013 60.0 16.8 7.9
2016 1018 62.0 16.4 7.3
2017 1051 61.7 17.0 6.3
2018 968 55.6 17.3 5.5
2019 909 55.5 16.3 6.2
2020 847 52.6 16.0 7.7
2021 791 52.0 15.2 5.6
2022 735 55.0 13.3 3.8
2023 702 49.7 14.1 13.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Mills Park Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $372 (4.3%) $8,366 (95.7%) $8,738

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Mills Park Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 20th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 24th of 1502 Elementary schools
 0.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Mills Park Elementary)90.884.1
 6.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)69.467.4
 2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Mills Park Elementary)88.884.1
 4.7%
   3rd Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)6658.7
 7.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Mills Park Elementary)88.388.5
 0.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)6565
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Mills Park Elementary)8991.4
 2.4%
   4th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)63.265.7
 2.5%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Mills Park Elementary)92.387.8
 4.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Wake County Schools)6665.6
 0.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Mills Park Elementary)88.283.2
 5%
   5th Grade Reading (Wake County Schools)60.659.1
 1.5%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Mills Park Elementary)91.791.6
 0.1%
   5th Grade Science (Wake County Schools)71.370.6
 0.7%
   5th Grade Science (North Carolina)72.665.3
 7.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students909702
 22.8%
African American3024
 20%
American Indian52
 60%
Asian457363
 20.6%
Hispanic6481
 26.6%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White315219
 30.5%
Two or More Races3713
 64.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients6.2%13.5%
 7.4%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Mills Park Elementary

Students at Mills Park Elementary are 52% Asian, 31% White, 12% Hispanic, 3% African American, 2% Two or more races.

Yes! Mills Park Elementary is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 24th of 1502 North Carolina elementary schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 702 students attended Mills Park Elementary.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction. School Attendance Areas provided by ATTOM.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that school and district boundary data are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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