WCPSS: Wake County Public School System information:
This page is a compilation of facts and links for my clients to make their best decisions about public schools in Wake County. Two most frequent topics are "good" schools and Assignment.
This is NOT a current events/update page on COVID or hot news items. I suggest y'all follow Keung Hui@nckui from News & Observer on twitter.
Check out: Board meeting schedule & minutes (& attachments!!) https://assistive.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=920
I. "Good":
Please remember it is important how EACH child learns and grows so potential of YOUR child/ren is reached.
If a school or system does not score well overall, it does not mean the school is not "good." I don't rely on social web pages of either angsty personal posts or PTA cheerleaders. I can't ethically steer you to/from a school based on my opinions on each school but I can surely send you to the facts for you to make your own decisions! I've put in many many volunteer hours in education of our youth (& a small state level paid consulting project) and I am here to help you with alphabet soup of all the acronyms and info out there.
Just ask me.... and as many times or in any areas until you feel comfortable with your decision.
Best suggestion is to go tour the school when possible and talk to the Principal to see if it is a "fit" for your student/s. Also, check out the school (upper left corner "View Our Schools") and PTA page and see what each school offers before making your own judgments. See below for High school options.
Search HERE for a school's student aggregate performance.
WCPSS Key data and charts (< remember to scroll down that link for lots of info!)
1. 2020-21 Report by Year Reports: includes data for Grade and Gender, Race/Ethnicity, Free and Reduced Eligibility, Limited English Proficiency, Title I and Academic Achievement, Academically or Intellectually Gifted Program and Special Education Services for current and prior years. There is data for 2021-22 school year but with covid, on-line education and unusual EOY testing waivers/requirements, I don't know if anything from 2020-2 years give valid conclusions.
2. Student Outcomes Reports The red box on the side allows you to easily sort data by various criteria.
3. Published Reports https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/testing-and-school-accountability/school-accountability-and-reporting
4. School safety might be derived from this data https://www.dpi.nc.gov/data-reports/dropout-and-discipline-data/discipline-alp-and-dropout-annual-reports#2018-19
2. Student Outcomes Reports The red box on the side allows you to easily sort data by various criteria.
3. Published Reports https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/testing-and-school-accountability/school-accountability-and-reporting
4. School safety might be derived from this data https://www.dpi.nc.gov/data-reports/dropout-and-discipline-data/discipline-alp-and-dropout-annual-reports#2018-19
II. School Assignment
COOLEST THING EVER: >>>>> Check out these assignment maps <<<<<<<<
Children are usually assigned by residence ADDRESS LOOK-UP tool for your base school assignment. There are traditional and year-round calendar, magnets program options available by application. The Magnet schools attract students with enrichment or specialty programs.
For more information about requesting a change from your base school assignment, go to www.wcpss.net/change-your-school.
TIPS:
III. High School Options: A high school that may not be "rated" highly due to overall scores might have great offerings and more probability of your student getting what they need for their "career or college readiness"! A school that is 'super achieving" may only have 5 science AP courses that are overcrowded. It matters what matters to your family. enuf said.
AP/Advancement Placement courses by high school as that varies also. I would caution that this document is only a snapshot in time as schools will make changes to their overall offerings each year. I think this is mostly useful in seeing commonalities among schools. If a high school is just built, it usually only opens with only freshman and sophomores so menu of AP classes may not be offered fully yet.
JROTC. This site on the WCPSS website is a great reference for the JROTC programs in the district. As a summary, the following schools have JROTC programs: Broughton High, Cary High, Enloe High, Garner High, Knightdale High, Millbrook High, Sanderson High, Wake Forest High.
Student Activities. Athletic offerings should be fairly consistent across schools, but this site is a great resource about the teams and opportunities at each school. for other activities and clubs, such as Bands and DECA, check out each school's website, their PTA facebook page and "google". The school's website is a great resource for these types of activities.
"Career Academies" are specialty curriculum programs in non-magnet high schools. A student can not apply to the academy if they are not already assigned to that school as their base. CAREER ACADEMY is a smaller learning community that focuses on a career theme and is integrated into students’ studies including their core curriculum courses. Each year the same group (cohort) of academy students takes a Career and Technical Education course aligned with the career them, as well as one or more core classes together. This school-within-a-school model may be either a three- or four-year academy. Special programs exist at various high schools, such as AIOT/ Information Technology program at Apex High school and Culinary Arts at Cary High school For full list, refer to http://www.wcpss.net/Domain/53
For more information about requesting a change from your base school assignment, go to www.wcpss.net/change-your-school.
TIPS:
- Searches can't rely on "school' field as many realtors list WCPSS Schools, not latest assignment. Look across at the tabs across that page to see base assignment maps by level of school. To get the most homes for sale assigned to a desired school, a realtor can draw that map into the search criteria instead.
- ** List of all feeder schools: Elementary , Middle , and by High School
- Calendar: If you don't like the calendar of assigned base school, you can apply to transfer to "options" (if not capped.)
- "Capped Schools" means building is over capacity and new students moving in new to address might not be able to register at certain/all grade levels. This is approved list but that doesn't mean school is necessary at capacity/limit. Your child/ren grade level might also not be capped. Go ask Data Manager at school. Capped Schools as of February 1, 2022
- Capped High Schools: Apex Friendship, Heritage, Panther Creek
- Note: AFHS has some stringent criteria added by Office of Student Assignment to any aged student who moves into base after Feb. 2022.
- Capped Middle Schools: Apex Friendship, Mills Park
- Capped Elementary Schools: Abbotts Creek, Alston Ridge, Apex, Beaverdam, Cedar Fork, Highcroft, Holly Grove, Holly Ridge, Hortons Creek, Mills Park, Northwoods, Oakview, Olive Chapel, Parkside, River Bend, Rogers Lane, Scotts Ridge, Sycamore Creek, White Oak, Weatherstone
- Capped High Schools: Apex Friendship, Heritage, Panther Creek
- NEW FOR 2023-4 school year:
- NEW CAP for Apex Friendship ES has been capped with overflow school of Baucom ES (which will be under construction.)
- Change of Overflow school for Apex ES to Penny Rd ES & Olive Chapel ES to Turner Creek ES.
- Sycamore ES cap is removed
- Overflow Schools If your child's grade level is capped past capacity.
- Some will say a good idea is to email or call the Data Manger at each school, or call central office School Assignment (919) 431-7333. Be patient getting a phone call back and it's not always up to central office and there are Board review cases. I don't know if they can give you any solution especially if you’re not IN the house yet holding the title. There is a new policy that if you are within 45 days of closing, they may let you enroll your child. Also, don't forget to see if Transportation is provided or not. Things always change, especially with new construction and COVID. Good Luck!
III. High School Options: A high school that may not be "rated" highly due to overall scores might have great offerings and more probability of your student getting what they need for their "career or college readiness"! A school that is 'super achieving" may only have 5 science AP courses that are overcrowded. It matters what matters to your family. enuf said.
AP/Advancement Placement courses by high school as that varies also. I would caution that this document is only a snapshot in time as schools will make changes to their overall offerings each year. I think this is mostly useful in seeing commonalities among schools. If a high school is just built, it usually only opens with only freshman and sophomores so menu of AP classes may not be offered fully yet.
JROTC. This site on the WCPSS website is a great reference for the JROTC programs in the district. As a summary, the following schools have JROTC programs: Broughton High, Cary High, Enloe High, Garner High, Knightdale High, Millbrook High, Sanderson High, Wake Forest High.
Student Activities. Athletic offerings should be fairly consistent across schools, but this site is a great resource about the teams and opportunities at each school. for other activities and clubs, such as Bands and DECA, check out each school's website, their PTA facebook page and "google". The school's website is a great resource for these types of activities.
"Career Academies" are specialty curriculum programs in non-magnet high schools. A student can not apply to the academy if they are not already assigned to that school as their base. CAREER ACADEMY is a smaller learning community that focuses on a career theme and is integrated into students’ studies including their core curriculum courses. Each year the same group (cohort) of academy students takes a Career and Technical Education course aligned with the career them, as well as one or more core classes together. This school-within-a-school model may be either a three- or four-year academy. Special programs exist at various high schools, such as AIOT/ Information Technology program at Apex High school and Culinary Arts at Cary High school For full list, refer to http://www.wcpss.net/Domain/53
