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Yes, they do...but so many deaths and arrests lately shows a deeper issue that Wakefield needs to address. I hope the new principal and more parental involvement, as well as student initiatives are going to help stop the culture there that lets teens think this is how to be cool.
Even without all that. Wakefield is not one of the strongest academic high schools in the area. Athens Drive is normally considered a stronger school then Wakefield for example.
And how come you didn't mention Raleigh Charter school? Not the cache of being private, but considered at the very top nationwide in many polls.
Yes I like Raleigh Charter, Athens drive is also top notch I was substitute teaching there today. Great mix of students there!
For base high schools in North Raleigh I would choose Leesville. You can also find the SAT scores for all these schools at www.wcpss.net. Leesville has one of the higher SAT scores in the county for base schools. Yes, there are some schools with higher SAT scores but they are not base and on a lottery system.
None of these schools are really better than than the others, IMO. I grew up in Wake County and graduated from Athens Drive, actually back then, it was a horrible school. I think it's improved since then, but part of the reason why ALL of these schools have improved is through bussing and maintaing a cross balance of student cultures. It did NOT used to be like that. Of course Wakefield and Leesville were not around then, but Sanderson and Broughton WERE and they had pretty bad reputations associated with them. Luckily, they have all shed their past images and reputations and have stepped up to the plate. All of them are just as good for the student who CHOOSES to excel academically.
For base high schools in North Raleigh I would choose Leesville. You can also find the SAT scores for all these schools at www.wcpss.net. Leesville has one of the higher SAT scores in the county for base schools. Yes, there are some schools with higher SAT scores but they are not base and on a lottery system.
Unfortunately, the scores don't tell it all. Leesville has a reputation for having worse drug issues than some of the others. Wakefield has issues with drinking. I KNOW all the high schools have their share of problems but I'm just saying that you can't go totally by scores. If the student wants to excell like latisha said, they will. If they want drugs and alcohol, they'll get them too.
Vicki
None of these schools are really better than than the others, IMO. I grew up in Wake County and graduated from Athens Drive, actually back then, it was a horrible school. I think it's improved since then, but part of the reason why ALL of these schools have improved is through bussing and maintaing a cross balance of student cultures. It did NOT used to be like that. Of course Wakefield and Leesville were not around then, but Sanderson and Broughton WERE and they had pretty bad reputations associated with them. Luckily, they have all shed their past images and reputations and have stepped up to the plate. All of them are just as good for the student who CHOOSES to excel academically.
It's hard to compare what the schools used to be, compared to what they are now.
I agree that a motivated student can get a good education at any high school in Wake County...that is why the the district as a whole is so good....but let's also be honest....each school is going to offer things that others don't.
That is why a parent should still look at the strengthes of the student in question and then what each high school has to offer.
That's what I'm trying to say. There is no "best" or "strongest". Even when you sit down and compare objective measures, such as test scores. It doesn't give the whole picture of the school in general, it's teachers and administrators, it's atmosphere, it's attitudes. You may have a student who excels in the arts and one of those schools offers more in that area than the others. Does that make it a better school? I've gone through this system, as well as my own children, (some of which are still in it). There are pros and cons to each one, but they balance out in other areas. No school in this system is perfect, but none are the "best" either.
Sanderson, Millbrook, Wakefield and Leesville Road are all in North Raleigh, and small parts of what is considered North Raleigh are districted to Broughton or Wake Forest-Rolesville, or at least used to be. All six are considered good schools, but I agree with lamishra that each has its own strengths.
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