Wake County Public School System operates 196 schools (grades KG–08). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Wake County Public School System | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 168,000 | 3,700 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 196 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $9,500/yr | $13,700/yr | ↓ 31% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
About Wake County Public School System
Zip code 27513 in Cary, North Carolina is served by Wake County Public School System for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Kindergarten – 8th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Wake County Public School System’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
Wake County Public School System reports per-pupil expenditure of approximately $9,500 per year, placing it 10% below the North Carolina state average of approximately $10,500 and significantly below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Districts with constrained budgets face challenges with class sizes, program breadth, and facility upkeep. Ask specifically about available services when enrolling. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 196 schools, Wake County Public School System operates as a major metropolitan district serving students from Kindergarten – 8th. The district enrolls approximately 168,000 students in total. Major metropolitan districts operate dozens to hundreds of schools across wide geographic areas. They often include magnet schools, gifted programs, dual-language academies, and career and technical education pathways not available in smaller systems. Within-district quality variation is significant: a school two miles from your address might be rated very differently from your assigned school.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
Wake County Public School System has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 10/10, placing it in the top-tier tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 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 Public School System 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 27513 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 27513
Children in zip code 27513 are assigned to Wake County Public School System for public school enrollment, covering grades Kindergarten – 8th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 27513, 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 Public School System at (919)653-5000 or visit www.cardinalcharter.org. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. 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
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Wake County Public School System serves zip code 27513, homes in and around zip code 27513 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 Public School System 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 27513.
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, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Wake County Public School System before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 27513 data.