Wake releases new school assignment proposal. Could your children be affected?

As the Wake County Public School System prepares to open two new schools, district leaders released the first draft of a new 2020-21 school assignment plan Tuesday that could affect thousands of students.

Posted 10:18 p.m. Oct 1, 2019 — Updated 1:10 a.m. Oct 4, 2019

Kelly Hinchcliffe

, WRAL education reporter

CARY, N.C. — As the Wake County Public School System prepares to open two new schools, district leaders released the first draft of a new 2020-21 school assignment plan Tuesday that could affect thousands of students.

Address lookup: See if your child's school assignment could be changed

The district is building the following schools to keep up with growth and help prevent overcrowding in the next two years:

South Lakes Elementary, 1433 Old Honeycutt Road, Fuquay-Varina, opening in August 2020
Willow Spring High School, 1704 Old Honeycutt Road, Fuquay-Varina, opening in August 2021

Other schools' assignment plans will be affected as the district aims to relieve some overcrowded schools, better utilize under-enrolled schools, and improve transportation efficiency, according to the district.

Under the proposal, some students would be eligible to request to grandfather and stay at their current school. Grandfather requests can be made during a special application period Dec. 11-20. Grandfathered students do not receive district transportation.

The public is invited to give feedback on the plan through an online forum and public information sessions on Oct. 24 and 29, times and locations to be announced. The board plans to vote on the final plan on Dec. 3.

The proposed changes come as the school board is discussing ways to balance student diversity across schools. Board members have discussed using county economic health data, including household income, food stamp usage, rent and mortgage rates and poverty levels, to help guide their long-term work.

Among the proposed school assignment changes:

Highcroft Drive Elementary, White Oak Elementary and Mills Park Middle to Salem Elementary and Salem Middle

Proposal: Some students attending Highcroft Drive Elementary and White Oak Elementary would be assigned to Salem Elementary; middle school students in those same areas now attending Mills Park Middle would be assigned to Salem Middle.

Purpose: Reduces overcrowding at Highcroft Drive Elementary (112% projected capacity in 2020-21 with no changes), White Oak Elementary (116% projected capacity with no changes) and Mills Park Middle (98% projected capacity with no changes), while better utilizing Salem Elementary (85% projected capacity with no changes) and Salem Middle (81% projected with no changes), which are under-enrolled. Mills Park Middle has had an enrollment cap since 2014.

Brassfield Elementary to Wakefield Elementary

Proposal: Some students attending Brassfield Elementary would be assigned to Wakefield Elementary.

Purpose: Reduces overcrowding at Brassfield Elementary (108% projected capacity in 2020-21 with no changes) while better utilizing Wakefield Elementary (94% projected capacity with no changes).

Banks Road Elementary to Smith Magnet Elementary and Holly Grove Middle to North Garner Middle

Proposal: Some students attending Banks Road Elementary would be assigned to Smith Magnet Elementary, while middle school students in this same area would be assigned from Holly Grove Middle to North Garner Middle.

Purpose: Reduces overcrowding at Holly Grove Middle (105% projected capacity in 2020-21 with no changes) and better utilizes both Smith Magnet Elementary (68% projected capacity with no changes) and North Garner Middle (75% projected capacity with no changes).

Fuquay-Varina Middle to North Garner Middle or West Lake Middle

Proposal: Some students at Fuquay-Varina Middle School would be assigned to North Garner Middle; others would be assigned to West Lake Middle.

Purpose: Reduces overcrowding at Fuquay-Varina Middle (121% projected capacity in 2020-21 with no changes). This is particularly important because Fuquay-Varina Middle will be using Herbert Akins Middle for two years starting in 2022 while a new building is under construction. The current student population at Fuquay-Varina Middle of about 1120 would not fit in the Herbert Akins Middle building, which has a capacity of 936.

Wake Forest High to Wakefield High

Proposal: Some students attending Wake Forest High would be assigned to Wakefield High.

Purpose: Reduces overcrowding at Wake Forest High (107% projected capacity in 2020-21 with no changes) while also accounting for future growth, and better utilizes Wakefield High (93% projected capacity with no changes). Additionally, the base attendance area proposed to move to Wakefield High is currently assigned to Wakefield Middle.

Important school assignment plan dates:

Oct. 1 – Draft 1 presented to the Board. All parents notified via email. Website published with detailed information about proposed changes. Online parent feedback forum opens. Parents can enter their address into a student assignment lookup tool on this date to see if they are directly affected.

October/November – Staff members respond to online parent feedback and questions. Parent feedback is considered as staff members make revisions to Draft 1.

October/November – Public information sessions held at dates and locations to be determined. We will announce official dates and locations in early October.

Nov. 5 – Draft 2 is presented to the board and public.

Nov. 17 – Public hearing.

Dec. 3 - Board votes on the final plan

Suggest A Correction