Getting Started in WCPSS
Schools
Student Handbook
Video Segments
Newcomer DVD
Other
Year Round Schools: In Wake County, the demands of rapid growth have led the School System to place 49 of its 156 schools on a multi-track year-round schedule. If you're not familiar with what a multi-track year-round schedule means, a short primer is available.
Welcome to the Wake County Public School System. As a newcomer to system, you need to:
- Register your child for school
You can't do anything else until your child is registered with WCPSS. Instructions and forms for registering children of all ages are available.
- Determine how your child will get to school
The Wake County Public School System provides bus transportation to students living more than one-and-a-half (1.5) miles from school and to students with special needs. If your child qualifies to ride a bus to school, you and your child need to understand the rules for school bus riders. You also need to understand how to petition for a different school bus stop if you are unsatisified with your assigned one.
- Familiarize yourself with the magnet program
WCPSS offers a wide variety of magnet school programs offering innovative approaches to learning (Creative Arts and Sciences, Gifted and Talented, Active Learning & Technology, International Baccalaureate, Leadership, Montessori, Museums, and Year-Round programs, for example). Entry into these programs is by lottery. You should familiarize yourself with the available programs to determine if there's one particularly suited to your child.
- Understand how WCPSS assigns students to schools
Wake County is growing fast. Each year, the school population increases between 4,000 and 5,000 students. As a result, WCPSS is constantly opening new schools, which results in annual changes to student assignment patterns as the system works to provide the best educational environment for all students by filling new schools, reducing crowding at existing schools and minimizing bus rides. If you live in a fast-growing section of the county, there's a chance your child will be reassigned to a new school at least once during their school career.
The assignment process offers many opportunities for parents to stay informed about what is happening in their area, and to make their voices heard.
- Download the forms for athletic participation (Middle and High School Students)
If you are the parent of a middle school (grades 6-8) or high school (grades 9-12) student, you must fill out and submit the appropriate forms before your child can participate in WCPSS athletic programs.
If your child requires special education or other services, please check out the Student Services part of the Newcomer Resource Center.