Basic Facts
The Wake County Public School System is one comprehensive school district serving the entire county including Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Wendell, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, Morrisville and Zebulon.
The system was formed in 1976 through the merger of the former City of Raleigh and Wake County school systems. The system and its school board are committed to providing the highest possible quality of education to Wake County students, while maintaining fiscal responsibility and accountability.
Enrollment (2010-11): 143,289 students on the 20th day of school; largest system in the state; 18th largest in the nation
Number of Graduates (2009-10): 8,378
Graduates Pursuing Higher Education (2009-10): 87.9 percent planned to pursue some form of higher education -- 60.7 percent to four-year colleges or universities and 27.2 percent to two-year colleges.
Student Demographic Composition (2010-11):
- Ethnicity: 49.5 percent white, 24.8 percent African-American, 14.6 percent Hispanic, 6.0 percent Asian, 4.5 percent multi-racial, 0.4 percent American Indian, 0.1 percent Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.
- Special services: 7.9 percent Limited English Proficient, 4.3 percent English as a Second Language, 32.4 percent receiving free or reduced-priced lunch.
- Academically Gifted and Special Education Services (2009): 26.6 percent in AG programs. 13.4 percent receiving special education services.
Schools (2010-11): 163 including 103 elementary, 32 middle, 24 high, and 4 special/optional schools.
- 49 operate on a year-round calendar (40 elementary, 9 middle)
- 5 operate on a modified calendar (2 elementary, 2 middle, 1 high)
- 1 operates on a calendar matching the community college calendar (Wake Early College of Health and Sciences high school)
- 108 operate on a traditional calendar (61 elementary, 21 middle, 22 high and 4 special/optional)
Operating Budget (2009-10): Approximately $1.2 billion with 88% going to schools (people, supplies, training), 7% to auxiliary services, 2% to instructional services, 1% to administrative services, 1% to technology services, and 1% organizational development, communications, area superintendents and the Wake County Board of Education.
- Funding Sources: 56 percent from the state, 31 percent from local sources, 13 percent from federal sources
Number of Employees (2010-11): 17,572 (does not include temporary hourly)
- Number of Instructional Personnel: 10,683 (teachers, guidance, media, etc.)
- Number of Teachers: 9,342
Average Teacher/Student Ratio: Grades K-3, 1:21; Grades 4-9, 1:26; Grades 10-12, 1:29
Teacher Salaries (2010-11): $34,462 (bachelor's and first year of teaching) to $75,596 (master's, national board certified and 29+ years).
School Buses: Each day, more than 73,000 students in Wake County are transported on 920 WCPSS buses, covering more than 17 million miles a year.
Mobile Classrooms: About 1,071 total.
Area: 864 square miles in Wake County
-Last updated March 2011.