by Kat Apf

Created on: May 05, 2010   Last Updated: July 08, 2010

The growth in Wake County over the past decade has been tremendous.  And no place is it more evident than in the Wake County public school system.  This school system is the largest in North Carolina and ranks 18th largest in the country.  During the 2008-09 school year there were almost 140,000 students registered in Wake county schools.

Wake county schools serve the following towns in North Carolina: Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Wendell, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, Morrisville and Zebulon. Until 1976 the City of Raleigh had its own school system and then, Wake County and Raliegh merged.

There are 99 elementary schools, 30 middle schools, 23 high schools and four magnet or optional schools.  There are three different schedules in Wake County schools.  A traditional calender where students go to school from Mid-August to early June, a year round calendar which is roughly nine weeks of school and three weeks off and a modified calendar which is kind of a cross between the two.  On a modified calendar students go to school for about nine or ten weeks and then, have two weeks off but they also have summers off. They also start school at the end of July most years.

Wake County offers programs for Academically Gifted students as well as programs for Special Needs students.  Students are tested in the third grade for possible inclusion in the Academically Gifted programs offered.  Students must score 90% or better to be considered for AG. Wake County offers many programs for Special Needs students, as well.  

Since 2000, Wake has been renovating and updating schools to accommodate the rapid growth in the area.  There also plans for new schools to be built.

During the 2009-10 school year there was a weekly early dismissal on Wednesdays.  Students were released an hour early every week but this will not continue for the 2010-11 school year.

According to the Wake County Public School System website, their mission statement is-  "...will educate each student to be a responsible and productive citizen who can effectively manage future challenges."   The goal they list is-  "WCPSS students will demonstrate high academic growth; by 2014, all students will graduate on-time prepared to compete globally."

Overall, Wake County is doing its best to serve the needs of the families in the area.  Large changes have taken place within the last year, with a new school board and changes.  Neighborhood schools rather than busing are the way the new board is headed. While some people are in favor of this, others see it as wrong.  Only time will tell whether this is good for the children in Wake County or not.

Source-

Wake County Public School System Website

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