Parkside Elementary

Parkside Elementary is a public PK-5 school in Morrisville, NC, serving roughly 730 students as part of Wake County Schools, a district rated 4 stars and ranked 60th out of 246 in North Carolina. Parkside has earned 5 stars in every recent reporting year and currently ranks 110th of 1,492 elementary schools statewide — in the top 7 percent — though it has drifted slightly from its peak rank of 42nd in 2020–21.

Academically, Parkside is strong across every subject and grade tested. Reading proficiency is near or above 80 percent in every grade, averaging roughly 24 points above the state; 3rd grade reading, for example, is 80.4 percent versus 55.6 percent statewide. The school is especially effective with English Learner students, ranking in the 97th–98th percentile statewide, and its African American and Hispanic students perform at the 90th and 84th percentiles, respectively. Chronic absenteeism is another strength at 11.3 percent — less than half the state's 24.2 percent — reflecting a healthy, engaged climate. About 22 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, higher than many nearby elementary schools in the district, yet outcomes remain well above district and state averages. The school's economically disadvantaged students still rank at the 83rd percentile statewide, though that figure has slipped from the 92nd percentile a few years ago.

Parkside's biggest challenge is the remarkable competition nearby. Mills Park, Highcroft, and Hortons Creek all rank in the top 45 schools statewide and post 5th grade math proficiency above 90 percent versus Parkside's 81.1 percent, with similar gaps in 5th grade science. Reading is more competitive, but math and science are where those neighbors have pulled ahead. The school's Gifted and Talented subgroup ranks at just the 29th percentile statewide — a notable outlier given the school's overall strength — suggesting advanced learners may not be challenged to the same degree. For most families, Parkside is an excellent choice; families of highly gifted children may want to compare advanced-learning options at these nearby schools.