Timeline
2001 |
Wake's 14 high schools graduate more than 5,000 students. Local funding for education increases to $193 million as school board seeks funds to meet the 2003 Goal. |
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2000 |
Bill McNeal named superintendent in July. 78 percent of voters approve $500 million bond referendum in November. WCPSS Project School Aid earns national recognition for helping four counties devastated by Hurricane Floyd. |
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1999-2000 |
Largest 'grand opening' ever for seven new schools, 18 significantly renovated ones, and nearly 94,000 total students, making WCPSS the 27th largest district in the country. School board adopts new diversity policy. WCPSS undertakes the Accelerated Learning Program. |
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1999 |
65 percent of voters defeat $650 million in schools bond; citizens committee appointed to examine facility needs and funding sources. WCPSS earns national School of Character Award for its innovative Character Education program incorporated in classroom instruction. Wake post highest reading and math scores ever with 80 percent of students at grade level. |
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1998-99 |
SAT scores in Wake County rise for the fifth year in a row to 73 points above the NC average and 43 points above the national average. Partnership Primary opens as WCPSS's first charter-like school. |
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1998 |
Board of Education adopts Goal 2003 to strive for 95 percent of students achieving at grade level by then. WCPSS earns the NC Quality Leadership Council's prestigious Advancement Award based on the Baldrige model for quality improvement. |
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1997-98 |
First MLK Jr. Lights of Hope convocation honors leading area citizens who exhibit Dr. King's spirit. |
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1997 |
WCPSS becomes the first NC school system to reach an agreement with county government that ties minimum future funding levels to growth. Enrollment has to be capped for the first time at a local school. Dr. Surratt convenes a group of large, successful school districts, which eventually become the nation's first benchmarking network. |
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1996-97 |
State launches ABCs of accountability program. Enloe High introduces International Baccalaureate program. |
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1996 |
Hurricane Fran closes schools for six days and requires massive clean up. 79 percent of voters approve $250 million in school bonds. |
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1995 |
Dr. Jim Surratt is superintendent, 1995 to July 2000. |
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1994-95 |
District moves to flexible scheduling to reduce transportation costs and improve efficiency. |
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1993 |
56 percent of the voters approve $200 million in school bonds. |
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1991 |
Local SAT scores top the national average for the first time. |
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1989-90 |
Kingswood opens as the first year-round school in NC and the nation's first year-round magnet school. |
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1989 |
Dr. Robert Wentz is superintendent, August 1989 to December 1994. WCPSS moves to the middle school model, replacing the junior high concept. District moves to site-based management model of decision-making. |
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1988 |
Service center opens at Rock Quarry Road, the largest and most comprehensive between New York and Atlanta. 85 percent of voters approve $125 million in school bonds. |
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1985 |
86 percent of voters approve $70 million in school bonds. |
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1984 |
Dr. Robert Bridges is superintendent, August 1984 to June 1989. |
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1983 |
Wake Education Foundation is formed: evolves into the Wake Education Partnership. |
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1982 |
27 magnet schools established in less than one year. |
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1981 |
Dr. Walter Marks becomes the merged district's second superintendent, August 1981 to August 1984. |
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1977-78 |
Magnet schools are introduced in the district. |
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1977 |
Lynn Road Elementary opens the first new school since merger. |
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1976 |
Merger: separate city and county districts become the Wake County Public School System. Dr. John Murphy is first superintendent of the newly merged district, April 1976-June 1981. |