- Enrollment
- 2,748
- Students per teacher
- 20.8:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Cary, NC
Alston Ridge Elementary
Federal NCES profile for Alston Ridge Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 45/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 370472003214
👥 S:T ratio 48
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 8
📋 Attendance 56
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Alston Ridge Elementary earns 45/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 77% of North Carolina schools.
- #8 of 15
- schools in Cary · Resource Index
- 45
- Resource Index · Typical
- 13.1:1
- small classes for North Carolina
- 11.3%
- free-lunch eligible
Alston Ridge Elementary has class sizes smaller than 77% of North Carolina schools. Computed live against every North Carolina school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Alston Ridge Elementary ranks #8 of 15 schools in Cary, NC.
School address
District: Wake County Schools · North Carolina
NCES ID 370472003214 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+64 students YoY
Alston Ridge Elementary grew from 1,047 students in 2022-23 to 1,111 in 2023-24 (+6.1%).
Teacher FTE added 70.2 → 72.7 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+64 students YoY 370472003214 · Cary, NC Other · MID · TRAD
917 enr · 13.1:1 · 11.3% lunch · RII 45
Nearest enrollment peer: Apex Friendship High (2,748 students)
Alston Ridge Elementary grew from 1,047 students in 2022-23 to 1,111 in 2023-24 (+6.1%). Teacher FTE added 70.2 → 72.7 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · North Carolina schools → · Find another →
Alston Ridge Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Apex Friendshi
Apex Friendship High
2,748 students
- Enloe High
Enloe High
2,643 students
- Panther Creek
Panther Creek High
2,609 students
- Millbrook High
Millbrook High
2,498 students
- Apex High
Apex High
2,449 students
- This school 917
Alston Ridge Elementary
917 students
What this shows Alston Ridge Elementary reports 917 students on the CCD universe file.
How Alston Ridge Elementary compares
Alston Ridge Elementary is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs North Carolina and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs North Carolina | North Carolina avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.1:1 | ▼ 17% | 15.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 11.3% | ▼ 83% | 66.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 917 | top 12% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.1:1
Leaner classes than 66% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
917
Bigger than 89% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
11.3%
free-lunch eligible
- 83% below the North Carolina average of 66.0%
Below the 40% Title I threshold, among the lower-need profiles in the state; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
13.1:1
students per teacher
- 17% below state mean
Top 23% in North Carolina - lower ratio than 77% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
17.6%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$11,691
per pupil, district-wide
- below North Carolina avg of $12,294
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors2.0 FTE
Per 459 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
5
in-school suspensions + 0 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.5 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Asian 54.6%
White 18.6%
African American 13.1%
Hispanic or Latino 8.8%
Two or More 4.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%
Largest group: Asian at 54.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 64.1/100
Simpson diversity index - at 64.1, Alston Ridge Elementary is more mixed than the North Carolina school average of 56.1.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Wake County Schools reports $11,691 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Alston Ridge Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex Friendship High | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Enloe High | Larger | Higher economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Panther Creek High | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Millbrook High | Larger | Higher economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Apex High | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Alston Ridge Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,643
- Students per teacher
- 18.5:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 2,609
- Students per teacher
- 22.1:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
- Enrollment
- 2,498
- Students per teacher
- 19.7:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 2,449
- Students per teacher
- 19.3:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
Similar other schools in Cary
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Triangle Math and Science Academy
Standard public school
1,904 students 45.3:1 students per teacher
Hortons Creek Elementary
Standard public school
739 students 15.7:1 students per teacher
Weatherstone Elementary
Standard public school
730 students 14.3:1 students per teacher
Highcroft Elementary
Standard public school
698 students 14:1 students per teacher
Adams Elementary
Standard public school
655 students 16.8:1 students per teacher
Farmington Woods Elementary
Standard public school
648 students 14.1:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~917 students)
Frequently asked questions about Alston Ridge Elementary
How many students attend Alston Ridge Elementary?
Alston Ridge Elementary has 917 students enrolled. It is a public school in Cary, NC. CCD year-over-year: 1,047 (2022-23) → 1,111 (2023-24), up 64.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Alston Ridge Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Alston Ridge Elementary is 13.1:1, which is 17% lower than the North Carolina average of 15.8:1 and 17% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Alston Ridge Elementary?
11.3% of students at Alston Ridge Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the North Carolina average of 66.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Alston Ridge Elementary?
The largest demographic group at Alston Ridge Elementary is Asian at 54.6% of enrollment, in Cary, NC. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 64.1/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Alston Ridge Elementary?
Alston Ridge Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 45/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Alston Ridge Elementary rank among schools in Cary?
By Resource Investment Index, Alston Ridge Elementary ranks #8 of 15 schools in Cary, NC. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Cary on the city page.
What other schools are in Wake County Schools?
Besides Alston Ridge Elementary, Wake County Schools also operates Apex Friendship High (2,748 students), Enloe High (2,643 students), and Panther Creek High (2,609 students). See the Wake County Schools district page for the complete list.