Adams Elementary

Cary, NC 27511

Phone: (919) 460-3431
Fax: (919) 460-3439
District: Wake County School District

8

GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades PK,KG,1,2,3,4,5 • 644 students

Adams Elementary, a public school located in Cary, NC, serves grades PK-5 in the Wake County School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 8 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Adams Elementary is a public school located in Cary, NC. 644 students attend Adams Elementary.

School Ratings

Category Rating Details
Test Scores 6/10 The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Course Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Student Growth 9/10 The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2024 Student growth data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Posted: February 18, 2026

This school has been nothing but AMAZING! Everyone is so nice and welcoming! My children love this school. It is very special to know the teachers know and welcome the kids with smile on their faces.

Posted: February 18, 2026

Posted: February 18, 2026

Posted: February 18, 2026

Posted: February 18, 2026

Posted: February 18, 2026

Posted: February 18, 2026

Posted: February 18, 2026

Posted: September 23, 2024

I gave a 1 star for learning and teaching due to the fact my child's teacher had to be switched. I could not determine or Identify nothing the teacher was working on with my child. We as parents haven't received nothing education wise in a Monday folder that was taught. No colored pictures or activities. Just very band and basic classroom structure. Family Engagement need improvements. Smiling faces at the Front of the house and a warming welcoming! Are needed.

Posted: September 23, 2024

Posted: September 23, 2024

Posted: September 23, 2024

Posted: September 23, 2024

Posted: September 23, 2024

Posted: September 23, 2024

Posted: June 6, 2023

We have been so happy we landed at adams! The year round schedule has been great for our family. Our son is a rising 1st grader and loves school. He’s been challenged with additional AIG work. All of the teachers and staff seem incredible and have been with the school for a long time. The principal and assistant principals are always visible and involved at events and at times I’ve been at the school. The PTA and parent support at the school is great, too. Highly recommend!

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: November 8, 2019

We love Adams and am so happy we landed there. The school is such a positive, safe place. Go Aviators!!

Posted: November 8, 2019

Homework is impactful work and not given in excess.

Posted: November 8, 2019

All the teachers I have met are engaged with the school, students, and parents.

Posted: November 8, 2019

Posted: November 8, 2019

The new principal is amazing. A great advocate for the kids and teachers. Very positive impact to the school.

Posted: November 8, 2019

Posted: November 8, 2019

There is no bullying tolerated at the school.

Posted: October 18, 2019

My kids have had great teachers and I like the enthusiasm of the administration.

Posted: October 18, 2019

Posted: October 18, 2019

Posted: October 18, 2019

Posted: October 18, 2019

The new principal who started in 2018 is great

Posted: October 18, 2019

Posted: October 18, 2019

Posted: July 15, 2019

Posted: July 15, 2019

Bullying is not tolerated at any level at Adams.

Posted: July 15, 2019

Homework only given when necessary, not busywork. Appropriate for age of children.

Posted: July 15, 2019

Posted: July 15, 2019

Adams places a particular emphasis on character education and does it extremely well!

Posted: July 15, 2019

The new principal has done amazing things at the school. The kids are engaged in the school community and in learning!

Posted: July 15, 2019

I would rate our experience a 9 out of ten. It’s not a flashy, new school but is a hidden gem. The teachers are amazing and they stay because they are happy and supported by the whole school community. The school is diverse and all of the kids are supported and encouraged. I have always felt welcomed and listened to at Adams.

Posted: October 22, 2018

They make me aware of where my child needs assistance and dad and I work from there with the teacher. This method has taken out child far!

Posted: October 22, 2018

Each ear my child has been awarded a Character Award and it’s always on target

Posted: October 22, 2018

Posted: October 22, 2018

Posted: October 22, 2018

My child was being bullied and we spoke to our child about how to handle it and reached out to the guidance counselor as well as the teacher and the issue was quickly resolved

Posted: October 22, 2018

We love this school and can’t wait for our youngest child to start school in another 1.5 years

Posted: October 22, 2018

I wish homework came with directions for parents to better assist rather than looking up YouTube how to videos

Posted: October 26, 2017

Posted: October 26, 2017

Posted: October 26, 2017

Posted: October 26, 2017

I do not have a child with special needs nor have have seen them main streamed to give an option.

Posted: October 26, 2017

I haven't experienced this so I can not comment.

Posted: October 26, 2017

10. All the office staff know my child by name when I come and the teachers are very informative when I communicate with them via email or communication application. It is very diverse which I like as I'm bi-racial and my husband is black. It's important for our child to see people that look like her but also people that look like her mommy and others in our family.

Posted: October 26, 2017

Posted: October 7, 2016

Principal Hooper and Vice Principal Walser are terrible. Walser made a really negative comment about single mothers at the school (completely disrespectful). Despite giving the principal the proper Wake County paperwork to release my child at 3:45 for an art class after school, he would not allow me to pick her up. As someone else noted here, the school is like a prison. There is no open door policy. I want out, but Wake County will not let us into our neighborhood school.

Posted: October 7, 2016

I have no idea. This has not been an issue with my children yet. I will update at the end of the year.

Posted: October 7, 2016

It seems they are pretty standard teach to test school. I do not see anything supporting children with learning differences.

Posted: October 7, 2016

Please review my main review. What the Vice Principal said to me about the single mothers at her school, I was shocked. I even asked friends if it was appropriate and they all said I should record her in the future. The Principal is a 'my way or the highway' type person.

Posted: October 7, 2016

Again, we will see as this is something that cannot be measured in a few months.

Posted: October 7, 2016

I am unsure as we just started in summer. I can update this in June.

Posted: October 7, 2016

My child is in kindergarten. They should not have homework at that age. I expressed in an email to the teacher why my child would not be doing homework. It is the teacher's job to get material across to a five year old. If they cannot, it may be time to find a new career.

Posted: September 21, 2016

After trying a traditional charter school for 2 years we wanted to go back to year round schedule. So happy that we made the transition back! My K and 3rd love their Track 3 teachers. The school is older with not many bells and whistles but it really is a wonderful diverse learning environment. The PTA is the BEST and doing great things for the kids and school. Superb communication to parents on all levels: PTA,teacher and staff. Very proud of this school!

Posted: July 14, 2016

Posted: July 14, 2016

Posted: July 14, 2016

Posted: July 14, 2016

I have been so happy with my experience at Adams! Before my child was even attending the school, the principal took the time I requested to sit down with me to talk about whether the year round program was the right fit for my child. He was very easy to talk to and you can tell that he really cares about the kids. My son struggled with reading & his teacher was amazing! She not only had him in special reading programs throughout the week, but we had open communication and she was able to give me ways to help at home that was fun for him & not stressful on me. The progress he made was phenomenal and I attribute it to the school and working with us as team to help him get where he needed to go. I'm so excited he'll be in Adams for the rest of elementary and that his sister gets to come too!

Posted: September 8, 2015

Posted: September 8, 2015

Posted: September 8, 2015

Posted: September 8, 2015

My daughter spent one year at Adams and that was enough. The teacher only sent home information one day a week so we were often notified of things in arrears (early release, etc.). The teacher had a definite my-way-or-the-highway mentality; she did not demonstrate compassion whatsoever. Twice we had such misunderstandings (with our daughter crying after events during the day) that we requested a meeting with the principal but were instead shoved off onto the Assistant Principal, who shined us on. She, too, admitted this teacher has not got a nurturing personality but said she can "teach anybody". She taught our daughter a lot, like what it's like to be a small kid in a room with a bullying adult. Pitiful. We read such good reviews of Adams but this one year killed it for our family.

Posted: April 10, 2015

I have 2 children who have been at Adams for 3 years! It has been nothing but a positive experience! I do not even know where to start. From the top down the staff is great. Mr. Hooper the principal sets high expectations for both staff and students and it shows. There is a mutual respect between the teachers and students. My older child struggles and she was immediately given the help she needed in order to succeed. The kids that attend Adams are great and bullying or disrespect within the school is not tolerated. The administration and teachers are very easy to approach if a problem does arise. There are many wonderful things that go on at Adams. I feel blessed that my kids are attending such a wonderful school!

Posted: March 9, 2015

Wow. The Best!! Our daughter started kindergarten there, and moves on at end of school year,and now we hope our boy gets assigned, also. Great Teachers, safe and involved school! Always able to quickly touch base about concerns, and always found willing staff to help! Years of great experiences for my child , as well as my wife and I. Bravo Adams!!!! Thank you all.

Posted: March 27, 2014

My two children have been at Adams for less than one year and we are already looking for a way out, any way we can get it. We have had two very good teachers and one EXTREMELY bad one. We were told that our experience in this instance was shocking but later found out that this was a lie--other parents have had similar experiences with this teacher and admin chooses to ignore the problems. Parent involvement in the classroom itself is not allowed, you are only allowed to volunteer for Literacy Lunch. There is no open-door policy in this school and the code of silence is very powerful. Walking into the school feels like walking into a prison sometimes, very oppressive feeling. The front office staff is phenomenal, however.

Posted: May 19, 2013

I have been a parent at Adams YR Elem. for over 7 years now. I have 3 children that attended the school. The administration is the BEST. If you have a problem child it will be taken care of. If you have an AG child they will be taken care of. The staff is awesome have gone through all the grades I can tell you the staff is knowledgeable kind and they get the job done. The PTA is unlike any other I have seen around. They are so involved and make you feel welcome no matter what your level of involvement is. Leaving my children there each day to learn and grow has been the best choice. we have made. I have lived in cary for over 20 years and have heard lots of stories about other schools in the area. I would choose Adams each and every time.

Posted: July 13, 2012

My child started Adams in Kindergarten, I have on numerous occasions had to approach the staff on policy and bullying on the play ground. Each year my child attend I have noticed more parents are pulling their children out. For the first time this has really affected me emotionally because my child's education is very important but the principal does not take a proactive approach when dealing with parents and staff interaction. I am now also looking at other alternatives, there is a code of silence amount the teachers and administratos. This does not sit well with me and I dont like that they teach for the eog scores. To get the grants and recognitions. Parents do your research first. Ask questions ask about the attrician rates over the last 2 years. Also look at the demographics ratio.

Posted: January 24, 2012

My son changed to this school from a traditional calendar and we love it. He is now getting challenged in a way that he had not before. He loves having break throughout the year. This is also the first time he has said that he loves his teacher and loves to go to school.

Posted: September 11, 2011

This school was an absolute nightmare for myself and my kids. The year round school program is cruel and unusual punishment in my opinion. They do not allow for kids to be kids, very military style and way too much homework. I think they should get rid of the year round programs all together. Kids love summer break!!!

Posted: July 20, 2011

My two sons went to Adams for one year, but it was a great year! It really is a wonderful school. They are the only school that I have dealt with so far that has a positive atmosphere. The principal is great and he calls the parents with the child when they see the child doing something POSITIVE. Like helping a friend, doing the right thing! Great Shool, great teachers, wonderful environment. My kids had to change schools but it was soooo much better than Oak Grove.

Posted: July 19, 2011

Bullying and racism are a problem here. The teachers ignore what is going on in front of their faces. It starts as early as Kindergarten.

Posted: May 1, 2011

Bullying and cliques are a huge problem. I don't think staff are doing anything to fix it.

Posted: February 23, 2011

I have two children at Adams and I have to say the experience has been above average. I feel the school has challenged my children which is important, however beware there is a teacher there who is very difficult to deal with and if she singles your child out, the kid will have a miserable year. She was difficult to deal with and swore my child had ADD when in fact he didn't. The principals were not supportive in the situation, they took the teachers side. This year has been a complete turn around and we couldn't be happier. What a difference a teacher makes!

Posted: September 24, 2009

Reviews provided by GreatSchools

# Name Type City State Overall Rating Distance
1 Eagle Ridge Neighborhood/Subdivision Raleigh NC 9 mi
2 Hedingham Neighborhood/Subdivision Raleigh NC 12.3 mi
3 Winston Pointe Neighborhood/Subdivision Clayton NC 16.3 mi
4 Forest Oaks Neighborhood/Subdivision Bunnlevel NC 34.4 mi
5 The Summit Neighborhood/Subdivision Sanford NC 35.5 mi
6 Anderson Creek Club Neighborhood/Subdivision Spring Lake NC 35.7 mi
7 Sunset Ridge Neighborhood/Subdivision Sanford NC 35.9 mi
8 Overhills Creek Neighborhood/Subdivision Spring Lake NC 37.7 mi
9 Carolina Seasons Neighborhood/Subdivision Cameron NC 38.1 mi
10 Ellerslie Subdivision Neighborhood/Subdivision Fayetteville NC 38.5 mi
11 Castlebrooke Neighborhood/Subdivision Linden NC 39 mi
12 Forest Ridge Neighborhood/Subdivision Cameron NC 39.5 mi
13 Deerfield Neighborhood/Subdivision Spring Lake NC 41.7 mi
14 Kings Grant Neighborhood/Subdivision Fayetteville NC 42.2 mi
15 Stonegate Apartments Apartment Complex Spring Lake NC 43.4 mi
16 Inverness Neighborhood/Subdivision Fayetteville NC 43.5 mi
17 Patriot Park Village Neighborhood/Subdivision Fayetteville NC 43.6 mi
18 Kinwood Neighborhood/Subdivision Fayetteville NC 44.5 mi
19 Woodlake Neighborhood/Subdivision Vass NC 44.6 mi
20 College Lakes Area of Town Fayetteville NC 44.9 mi
# Name City State Overall Rating Distance
1 Princeton Princeton NC 40 mi
2 North Ramsey Road Fayetteville NC 40.2 mi
3 Spring Lake Spring Lake NC 43.5 mi
4 Spring Lake by Ft Bragg Base Spring Lake NC 43.9 mi
5 Vass Vass NC 46.3 mi
Base Distance
Raleigh National Guard 3.8 mi.
Pope Field 44 mi.
Fort Bragg 49.8 mi.
Refine Search

National Ad
Advertising Homes