Cary High

638 Walnut Street

School District

Wake County
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Wake County School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 09, 2022

Cary High is a great school, My one daughter graduated from here and doing science and engineering associates together,other daughter is in 11 grade , i have a superb experince with their studies they never struggles for their homework , all teschers are well trained , experienced and supportive. I am well satisfied with this school progress.
Submitted by other on March 24, 2022

I have had 3 kids go through Cary High, and all of them liked being there and felt supported. My kids aren't crazy about school in general (not many kids are) but they all found clubs and activities to participate in and get involved. Cary High is probably the most diverse high school in town and I think that gives all kids an advantage in the "real world". I had 1 child in the class of 2020 and I was impressed by how well the school made the graduates feel special, even though they missed out on all the senior fun their final semester. Virtual classes were difficult on everyone and its not too fair to evaluate a school on the restrictions from the pandemic. However, it gave me the opportunity to listen in on some classes and I found myself very interested in some of the subjects. It was great to hear the teaching styles of some of the teachers -- they work hard to keep all the kids interested and current with their work. They made the best out of the circumstances. They have a strong special education department, and I found the teachers to be incredibly dedicated to helping these kids succeed.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2021

Horrible school. They test students on a daily basis without giving students enough time to have mastered it. They also don't teach and we parents have to do the teaching for them. And other students flunk. They go over on the allowed time for homework per class and each day. Many times they have homework due the same it was assigned. Administration does nothing. Area Superintendents, and Cathy Moore, and the school board members that have been there so long, refuse to do anything about it. There's no one to cross the kids in the front of the school. They never put speed bumps or cement barriers in front of the fence where kids walk and it was crashed into. They treat kids worse than animals. The language depts. gives so much work, worse than the language depts in college and no speaking component, only memorization of over 400 words. Each class is designed to fail students. Not to help them succeed. They are always timed. And they don't hear parents out. Not even if you meet with them as they are defensive. They show very inappropriate videos in class. Teachers are always swearing in class. The Art teacher doesn't allow parents to bring their kids for Open houseTeachers belittle kids all the time. Even if they have a disability or if they ask for help. They are always laughed at. The band teacher got fired and they refused to say why. Some teachers have charges and they're still working there. That's why many leave wcpss.
Submitted by other on July 04, 2020

I had the opportunity to transfer to another school after my sophomore year, but I did not take it. I wish I would have, as this school became the reason I no longer have a passion for music.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2018

Tragedy, my child is suffering from depression and the school has not even made an attempt to protect her
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2018

My son attends the school and he loves it. He has a 4.3 GPA and participates in very rigorous classes. He also enjoys the diverse community and accepting culture at the school.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2016

Great school! Great teachers and great kids! I would recommend this school to anyone! One of the oldest school in nc but one of he best!
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2014

The administrative staff not prepared and wcpss in general fights parents on enrollment. Cary high school has bring your own device meaning kids able to use cell phones while in class. School states it's for learning purposes but come on you know most kids texting friends all day. Sports another issue not fair and truthful especially assistant principal mr woods.
Submitted by student on September 14, 2014

THIS SCHOOL IS THE WORST SCHOOL I HAVE EVER BEEN TO. I've lived all over the world and have experienced countless schools, and this one is BY FAR the WORST SCHOOL ever. My first day at school, I got sick and went to the office hoping to find the nurse and was told that the nurse is only at school on Thursday. So I asked if I could lay down because I was nauseous and they told me there was NO PLACE TO LAY DOWN. And another thing, the grading scale is setting students up for FAILURE. I have been a straight A student my ENTIRE life. Before I came to this school, I had a 4.0 GPA, now I have two C's because an 82 is a C instead of a B. I spend 7 HOURS every day after school working on homework for the next day, and yet, I STILL CANNOT ATTAIN AN A. I don't even have time after school to keep up with my usual fitness regime, OR eating, MY MOTHER HAS TO FEED ME AS I DO HOMEWORK. My sister, who missed one assignment due to an illness, did not make it up because her teacher failed to give her the material and she now has an F. It is literally impossible to succeed in a rigorous course if MORE 80% OF THE GRADING SCALE IS FAILING. This school will hinder my college choices. I GIVE 0 STARS.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2014

Cary High had a long and distinguished history when I went there in the early '80s, but NC politics, poor local management and the Wake County Board of Education have contributed to making my alum mater a mess now. My kids' high school experience is nothing like mine, and the school seems unable or unwilling to help its neediest students. For example our dyslexic child had a Cary High teacher that simply didn't respond to calls, emails or even personal visits, he hid! The staff let our son pass in exchange for our silence. We've also been misled about educational options for our child and we had to hire a representative to our last IEP meeting to explain our rights TO THE SCHOOL. Our offspring has been forced to take hard classes that were unnecessary that have destroyed a promising GPA. Of course as a graduate of Reedy Creek Middle School it's no wonder, they did not prepare any kids I know there in any way for high school. Go the Apex High instead if you can. How the mighty have fallen.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2013

Teachers are very good but administrative staff very unorganized and apathetic. Children who are disruptive and should be suspended after multiple incidents are not disciplined. Staff too lazy to bother.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2013

My son began this year and we have been impressed by the whole community spirit and multitude of option my son can explore .
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2013

My son graduated from Cary HS in 2013, fourth in his class. He scored a 2230 on the SAT (770, 770, 690) with no tutoring. He also earned 30 hours of credit for college (through Cary's fantastic AP classes) at UNC - Chapel Hill, again, with no tutoring. If you want your child to be the best academically, Cary High School can make that happen. Teachers are excellent with very high standards. He was in band and tennis also. His two sisters are currently attending Cary too. Moved here six years ago, did research, and only looked at houses zoned for Cary High School. Very glad I chose this outstanding school.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2013

We loved Cary High School, the tradition, the teachers, and the students. At freshman orientation, Principle Tillman really inspired the kids to take pride in their school.
Submitted by student on July 12, 2013

Cary High School has a lot of subjects and alot of languges that any body can choose from to learn and even sports to join like football, basektball and more.... I love the way that everybody gets to get along and communicate with everybody there. GO IMPS! BLEED GREEN ALL THE WAY! CARY HIGH SCHOOL IMPS!
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2013

Cary High School is a terrible school for special education students. Throughout my son's school years we have had him in many different settings and different states, but Cary High School is without a doubt the worse school. My son's teacher had no control of the classroom and did not encourage parent involvement because then she would have to actually teach the students instead of letting them sleep - which is what we saw many times when we stopped in for other reasons. Parents do whatever you can to get your son or daughter with Special Needs out of Cary High School. Cary might be a good school for students going to college or talented in sports but for students who have significant cognitve limitations it is not much more than a warehouse - SAD !!!!!!
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2013

my daughter and son-in-law both attended chs and thrived!! my son-in-law graduated in 2005 and my daughter in 2007! thanks to chs, my daughter is now a teacher herself!!! you probably know who they are!! because my son-in-law played football for cary high! THANKS CHS!!
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2013

I have a junior and a sophomore right now and we love the school. The teachers seem to care about the kids and they talk to them on their level. Both kids are in honors classes and one in marching band. Seems like everyone gets along well and the principal is amazing at relating to the students. Band program is bar-none! Imps really do bleed green :)
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2012

"One word...Tradition!" We have many good things to say about Cary High. It is a multicultural, socially diverse environment and the kids seem to get along very well with one another. The teachers are responsive and willing to help and the AP classes are challenging. The community/student support for the extracurricular activities is very good, the band program is amazing. Each year CHS just gets better and better. Two things that need work are: 1) the buildings are old and need some TLC (the school is in process of working on that) and 2) more parents need to join and support THE PTA! Over all, a very good place to send your children to high school.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2012

We have two daughters who are thriving at The Cary High School. Cary High is different from other Wake County schools in many key areas. Teaching staff is stable (low turn-over) and willing to assist students during lunch and after school. Principal Thilman is highly visible through the school day and at after-school activities - he "participated" in band camp. The students generally come from households that do not entitle them (ie: they are not driving fancy cars or dressing in designer duds). The music, sports, and ROTC programs are distinguished in big ways, every year. We cannot imagine our family at any other school. Yes, we bleed green, too!