Summary
Alston Ridge Middle in Cary, NC, is a large Wake County public school serving 1,494 students in grades 6–8, and it stands out as a high-performing school in a very competitive area. The school ranks in the 92nd percentile statewide for 2025–2026, though its position has slipped from a top-40 ranking in recent years. Academically, Alston Ridge remains well above both district and state averages, with about 79.5% of students proficient in math, 74.0% in reading, and 87.2% in 8th-grade science. Compared to Wake County Schools, these scores are roughly 10–13 percentage points higher in most subjects, placing the school in a comfortable zone of strong overall achievement.
One of Alston Ridge’s most distinctive strengths is attendance. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 10.3% is less than half the Wake County average of 20.5% and far below the state’s 24.2%. Among nearby high-performing peers, only Mills Park Middle posts a materially lower rate at 8.1%, while Davis Drive Middle is nearly identical at 10.8%. This strong attendance likely supports steady academic results, even though Alston Ridge serves a larger student body with a higher student–teacher ratio (19.0) than schools like Reedy Creek Middle (14.9) or Salem Middle (17.7). While it trails the exceptionally high scores of Mills Park or Davis Drive, it still compares well to West Cary Middle and far outpaces several Durham-area schools.
Looking at student subgroups, Alston Ridge shows notable strengths for English learners (93rd percentile) and special education students (90th percentile), but recent data reveal concerning declines in relative outcomes for economically disadvantaged students, gifted and talented students, and several other groups. The gifted subgroup rating fell from the 99th to the 50th percentile over three years, a shift that families may want to explore with the school. The surrounding area includes multiple schools in the top 10% statewide, creating a competitive neighborhood cluster, while nearby Durham Public Schools face far greater challenges with absenteeism and poverty. Overall, Alston Ridge remains a very solid choice with excellent attendance and strong academics, though parents should be aware of its sliding rankings and the mixed trends among specific student populations.
Thank you for your feedback!