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September 3, 2024
Needham B. Broughton High School, shown above, is Inside-the-Beltline at St. Mary’s and Peace Streets.
Raleigh Schools Overview in 2024
Raleigh is the seat of Wake County and is part of the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), which encompasses Raleigh and other municipalities in the county. WCPSS is the 15th largest school district in the United States, serving over 160,000 students across 194 schools as of 2024. While Wake County historically added around 3,000 students annually, this growth has slowed in recent years, with an increase of about 1,500 students each year. The slowdown in public school enrollment may be attributed to a rise in charter school attendance and homeschooling, despite a robust real estate market indicating continued population growth in the area.
Here is a link to the base school look-up by address and links to attendance maps.
Reassignment
Wake County Public Schools has shared its first draft for the 2025-2026 school year plan. This plan is about opening new schools and moving some students to different schools to balance out the number of students in each school. They are asking for feedback from parents and community members through public meetings and online comments. The final plan will be decided in November 2024. For more details and to participate in the feedback process, visit the WCPSS enrollment proposal website.
Elementary Schools:
The reassignment plan will impact several elementary schools. New schools like Bowling Road Elementary, Pleasant Plains Elementary, and Rex Road Elementary will take in students from affected schools such as Buckhorn Creek ES, Herbert Akins Road ES, Holly Grove ES, Holly Ridge ES, Holly Springs ES, Lincoln Heights Magnet ES, and others. While specific numbers of students impacted at each school aren’t listed, the goal is to shift students to new and renovated schools to balance enrollment.
Middle Schools:
For middle schools, the new assignments will affect schools like Apex MS, Holly Ridge MS, and Lufkin Road MS. For example, Apex MS is expected to be at 94% capacity after reassignment, and Holly Ridge MS will be at 80%.
High Schools:
At the high school level, Felton Grove High is a new school that will help relieve crowding at Apex HS, Apex Friendship HS, and Holly Springs HS. Apex Friendship HS is projected to have a capacity of 113% in 2025-2026, while Felton Grove HS will start with lower enrollment, serving only 9th and 10th grades initially.
Are Raleigh Schools Good
Raleigh schools are well-regarded. A few years ago, the school board adopted a neighborhood model while continuing to use magnet schools to attract higher-performing students to lower-performing areas. The current board is focusing on enhancing income diversity and improving performance in schools with lower grades. North Carolina uses an A-F grading system for its schools, primarily based on test scores (80%) and student growth (20%).
Compare Wake County Schools
The North Carolina School Report Cards website provides extensive information on schools, including test scores, demographic data, and tools to compare schools.
The Best Wake County Schools – These Schools Have an “A” Grade (2024)
- Mills Park Middle – Cary
- Mills Park Elementary – Cary
- Green Hope Elementary – Cary
- Davis Drive Elementary – Cary
- Wake STEM Early College High School – Raleigh
- Jones Dairy Elementary – Wake Forest
- Wake Early College of Health and Sciences – Raleigh
- Davis Drive Middle – Cary
- Panther Creek High – Cary
- Sycamore Creek Elementary – Raleigh
- Green Hope High – Cary
- Apex Friendship High – Apex
- Heritage Middle – Wake Forest
To find detailed data about any Raleigh/Wake County school, visit the NC Report Card for information on enrollment, scores, teachers, tests, and more.
Raleigh and Wake County Private Schools
If you’re interested in non-public schools, you can find a list of private schools in Wake County through the North Carolina Directory of Non-Public Schools.
Magnet Schools in Raleigh
Wake County has 48 magnet schools. Introduced in the late 1970s, magnet schools have been a popular way to increase diversity since the 1980s. About half of the students who apply to magnet schools are accepted, based on factors like test scores, income levels of their current school zones, and whether they are transferring from overcrowded schools. Applications are typically due in January, so planning ahead is crucial if you are moving to the area.
Wendell Elementary School was named the top elementary magnet school in the country by Magnet Schools of America. This is noteworthy, especially with the growth of new communities like Wendell Falls nearby.
Charter Schools
Charter schools differ from magnet schools in that they are initiated by parents and are not part of the traditional public school system. Any child in North Carolina can attend a charter school if they are accepted, usually via a lottery system. Raleigh Charter High School remains one of the top high schools in North Carolina and is a charter school. Charter schools have to meet state accountability standards.
Redistricting
Raleigh has long been a popular destination for relocating families, thanks in part to its quality of life, weather, and excellent schools. As the region grows, new school bonds, school openings, and redistricting become necessary. Recent redistricting has focused primarily on neighborhoods around new schools being built, a trend continuing from the policy changes in 2009 that emphasized neighborhood schools.
Most recent redistricting activities have been prompted by the opening of new schools including Herbert Akins Middle School, Barton Pond Elementary, and Willow Oak Montessori in 2024.
Capped Schools in Raleigh
When schools reach capacity, enrollment caps are put in place. This means new students will be redirected to nearby schools that have available space. This year, several schools in Wake County are capped:
Newly Capped Wake County Schools for 2024:
- Elementary Schools: Cedar Fork, Highcroft Drive, Hortons Creek, Sycamore Creek, and White Oak.
- Middle Schools: Apex Friendship, Mills Park, and Willow Springs.
- High Schools: Apex Friendship, Panther Creek, and Willow Spring.
Contact me if you want to learn more about the neighborhoods with the best schools in Raleigh. Marianne Howell Wright 919-274-4365
More Information on Charter Schools
Charter Schools in Wake County
Charter schools in Wake County are independent from the Wake County Public School System and are open to all students across North Carolina, not just those residing in Wake County. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools have more flexibility in their curricula and teaching approaches, allowing them to provide specialized educational experiences, such as STEM-focused or arts-integrated programs.
Enrollment in charter schools is typically determined by a lottery system due to high demand and limited space. This means that while charter schools offer an alternative to traditional public schooling, admission is not guaranteed. Families interested in enrolling their children in a charter school should be aware of the lottery process and application deadlines to maximize their chances of being admitted.
As of 2024, there are several charter schools in Wake County, North Carolina, each offering a unique educational approach and serving various grade levels. Below is a list of some prominent charter schools in Wake County, along with their general ratings based on state performance data and reviews:
Charter Schools in Wake County and Their Ratings
Raleigh Charter High School (Grades 9-12)
- Rating: A
- Overview: One of the top-rated high schools in the state, known for rigorous academics and high college admission rates.
Endeavor Charter School (Grades K-8)
- Rating: A
- Overview: Offers a strong academic program with a focus on community and parental involvement.
Envision Science Academy (Grades K-8)
- Rating: B
- Overview: Specializes in a STEM-focused curriculum and provides project-based learning opportunities.
Magellan Charter School (Grades 3-8)
- Rating: A
- Overview: Highly regarded for its academic performance and innovative educational programs.
East Wake Academy (Grades K-12)
- Rating: B
- Overview: Provides a K-12 continuum with a focus on small class sizes and personalized education.
Franklin Academy (Grades K-12)
- Rating: A
- Overview: Known for its traditional education approach with an emphasis on academic rigor and character development.
Triangle Math and Science Academy (Grades K-12)
- Rating: A
- Overview: Offers a strong focus on mathematics and science education, with high performance in STEM fields.
Cardinal Charter Academy (Grades K-8)
- Rating: B
- Overview: Focuses on a balanced curriculum with strong parental involvement and community engagement.
Pine Springs Preparatory Academy (Grades K-8)
- Rating: B
- Overview: Offers a classical education model with a focus on liberal arts and character education.
Longleaf School of the Arts (Grades 9-12)
- Rating: B
- Overview: A charter high school with a strong emphasis on the arts, providing a unique blend of academic and arts education.
Research Triangle High School (Grades 9-12)
- Rating: B
- Overview: Focuses on personalized learning and project-based education, particularly in science and technology fields.
Wake Forest Charter Academy (Grades K-8)
- Rating: B
- Overview: Provides a well-rounded education with a focus on college preparation and character development.
Peak Charter Academy (Grades K-8)
- Rating: B
- Overview: Offers a structured learning environment with an emphasis on character education and community service.
These ratings are based on North Carolina’s school performance grades, which take into account academic achievement and growth, and other factors like graduation rates for high schools. The ratings can provide a snapshot of school performance but may not reflect the entire picture of each school’s strengths and community involvement.
For the most up-to-date information on charter school performance and ratings, you can visit the North Carolina School Report Cards website or the individual school websites.
