Wake County year-round school application pool (Earl, Stem: low income, transfer, middle school)

[jelenap]

My kid starts middle school this year. Our base school is Dillard and year-round option is Lufkin Rd. Lufkin Rd is 5 minutes from us, Dillard is 25 minutes. (I’m hoping pandemic will end within 3 years.) When application window opened, I applied to Lufkin. After a long wait, the response we got from WCPSS was quite confusing. It stated that our assigned school is Dillard and that our application for Lufkin was placed in “application pool”.

This “pool” was supposed to be processed in April but we only got another email saying the pool will continue to be processed up to beginning of the school year. Online, our application shows as active and status “not seated”. I am unable to reach anyone by phone at WCPSS, their system sends me through a labyrinth of options that ends in some person’s voice mail. No one replies to online requests either, being ghosted by WCPSS, lol.

Does anyone know how this “pool” is supposed to work or has some secret contact at WCPSS where I can get an answer? Thank you!

[art322]

I am no expert, we were in private K-8, but we did apply to Wake Stem Early College for Fall. That is exactly what my son's account says, active and "not seated". We only have the option to remove him from the applicant pool. It had the same info about processing in April/May. This is a very small school, I doubt any additional movement on the list, and we are happier with another school he got into. In your case, I believe you would get an email if a seat opened, but obviously things are extra weird right now with Covid.

[farebluenc]

I’d email the data manager at the school. Typically, the applicant pools close in April, but they extended them this year essentially until school opens. You can always choose to remove yourself from the pool.

[twingles]

Agree call the data manager. OR - go to the school and ask to speak with the data manager. They are there in the summer. Wear a mask.

[jelenap]

Thanks for the replies! Miraculously, I finally received a response to my online question next day after posting here.

It basically just repeated the same information though that they kept the pool open. Still no clarity on when they will do anything. Quote from the reply: “ As part of the applicant pool processing, the crowding at both the sending and receiving schools is considered. While there may be available seats at the school you have requested, that does not automatically mean that students get seated there. If there is the potential to negatively impact the school they would be assigned away from, then staff decides to not fill the seats. This is outlined in Policy 4150. ”

What the deuce, this basically says they’re going to hold the kids hostage at the very inconvenient school even if the school nearby has seats? What is even the point in having an application school then if they are just going to deny all the applications? It’s a blessing in disguise that the school will be virtual anyway.

[m378]

With the current school board it's all about getting the right numbers and demographics into the schools. What's best for kids and families is secondary.

According to GreatSchools Dillard is 50% low income, Lufkin is 16%. If you're not low-income, that will likely affect your chances of getting your transfer approved. If you are low-income, it may increase your chances.

[twingles]

you don't really have a choice. And they do have an agenda as m378 stated. Aside from that they have so many other pressing matters to deal with right now I would not hold my breath about getting this done.