At a glance
Reported students
1,494
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
78.55
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
19:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
North Carolina middle enrollment
99th percentile
Compared with 476 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
653
Alston Ridge Middle: 1,494 reported students.
State peer staffing position
93rd percentile
19:1 reported; state peer median 16.2:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 1,370
- Teachers (FTE)
- 71
- Student–teacher ratio
- 19.3:1
What the reported data says about Alston Ridge Middle
Alston Ridge Middle is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Cary. It is one of 202 current school records connected to Wake County Schools. NCES reports 1,494 students for 2024–25.
Among 476 middle schools in North Carolina with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 591 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 99th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 19:1, above the North Carolina median of 16.2:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Asian (49.3%) and White (22.4%). English learners represent 8% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 6.5%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Alston Ridge Middle
- 1How do the reported 19:1 student–teacher ratio and 78.55 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 3 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 8%
- Students with disabilities
- 6.5%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 21.3%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 3
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0.5
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White22.4%
- Hispanic11.7%
- Black11.4%
- Asian49.3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial4.9%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Wake County Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Apex Friendship Middle
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,412 reported students
Mills Park Middle
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,632 reported students
Herbert Akins Road Middle
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,253 reported students
West Millbrook Middle
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,164 reported students
East Garner Middle
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,109 reported students
Salem Middle
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,057 reported students
Public schools near Alston Ridge Middle
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mills Park Middle Middle · Wake County Schools | 06–08 | 1,632 | 3 mi |
| Lowe's Grove Middle Middle · Durham Public Schools | 06–08 | 564 | 3.5 mi |
| Davis Drive Middle Middle · Wake County Schools | 06–08 | 992 | 6.1 mi |
| West Cary Middle Middle · Wake County Schools | 06–08 | 824 | 7.2 mi |
| Salem Middle Middle · Wake County Schools | 06–08 | 1,057 | 7.4 mi |
| Sherwood Githens Middle Middle · Durham Public Schools | 06–08 | 878 | 7.5 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Alston Ridge Middle
What grades does Alston Ridge Middle serve?
Alston Ridge Middle reports grades 06–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Wake County Schools.
How many students attend Alston Ridge Middle?
Alston Ridge Middle reported 1,494 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 99th percentile among 476 North Carolina middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 1,370 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Alston Ridge Middle?
The calculated ratio is 19:1, based on 1,494 students and 78.55 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The North Carolina median for the same school level is 16.2:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Alston Ridge Middle a public, charter, or magnet school?
Alston Ridge Middle is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Wake County Schools attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Alston Ridge Middle students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
21.3% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Alston Ridge Middle in?
Alston Ridge Middle is part of Wake County Schools, based in Cary, NC, which operates 202 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Alston Ridge Middle?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Mills Park Middle (3 mi), Lowe's Grove Middle (3.5 mi), Davis Drive Middle (6.1 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.