Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I have friends that are planning to move to the area and are wanting to move to an area that has an excellent public elementary school. What is (in your opinion) the best public elementary school in Southern Wake County (Fuquay, Apex, Holly Springs, Willow Springs, etc)?
Any particular schools have a great reputation that you've heard about? Excellent leadership, etc?
Keep in mind, in Wake county you can be redistricted at the drop of a hat. so just because you buy in your 'chosen' district, doesn't mean you will stay at that school.
I have first- and second- hand knowledge of a few of the schools, but can't speak to all of them. I do think we'd be happy at most of them. A couple of resources are the ABC Report Cards and the teacher working conditions survey: 2010 Results | NC Teacher Working Conditions Initiative
This survey gives you an idea of how happy the teachers are, and goes into specifics. It's a lot of data, but I've found it useful. Not to say that the best scores on this necessarily mean the best schools, but it tells you something about the atmosphere. I've found in general I'm happier with a school where teachers are happy, there's diversity and test scores are OK to good, over a school where test scores are great but teachers aren't happy. The principal really does influence the feel of a school - how welcomed parent volunteers are, how the teachers feel about their work, etc.
The best advice I can give is that if at all possible, one should visit schools and decide which seems to be the best fit for their child/family. Another tip I learned on this board is to email PTA presidents (can usually find their email address on the school website).
And I will reiterate that assignments are still subject to change.
I have first- and second- hand knowledge of a few of the schools, but can't speak to all of them. I do think we'd be happy at most of them. A couple of resources are the ABC Report Cards and the teacher working conditions survey: 2010 Results | NC Teacher Working Conditions Initiative
This survey gives you an idea of how happy the teachers are, and goes into specifics. It's a lot of data, but I've found it useful. Not to say that the best scores on this necessarily mean the best schools, but it tells you something about the atmosphere. I've found in general I'm happier with a school where teachers are happy, there's diversity and test scores are OK to good, over a school where test scores are great but teachers aren't happy. The principal really does influence the feel of a school - how welcomed parent volunteers are, how the teachers feel about their work, etc.
The best advice I can give is that if at all possible, one should visit schools and decide which seems to be the best fit for their child/family. Another tip I learned on this board is to email PTA presidents (can usually find their email address on the school website).
And I will reiterate that assignments are still subject to change.
I agree...I looked at several schools in areas we've been considering and saw many good indicators. However, the consistently negative factor identified by school staff was large class size which DOES have a major impact on student achievement.
This is great info! Thanks! Wish they did this for every state!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
