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The Different Types of Schools

Wake County Public School System offers a full day kindergarten program and a curriculum that is based on the Common Core State Standards and Essential Standards. Our schools strive to provide a nurturing environment that will encourage your young learner. Below are brief descriptions of the types of schools you may choose for your child.

Traditional Calendar Schools
Traditional calendar schools follow a “typical” school calendar with a 180-day instructional school calendar beginning in late August and ending in early June with the summer months off.

2012-13 Traditional Calendar (PDF)

Year-Round and Modified Calendar Schools
Students at year-round and modified calendar schools attend class the same number of days and receive the same curriculum as students at traditional calendar schools. These schools simply reschedule the traditional 180-day school calendar to keep the learning process continuous and to maximize the use of school buildings. WCPSS operates its year-round schools as multi-track, year-round schools. This means that the students in the school are organized into four groups or “tracks.” Each track follows a different schedule. The schedules are staggered so that at any given time, three of the tracks are in school and one track is out on break. This system is a “45/15 Schedule” meaning the pupils are in school for 45 days, then off for 15, through the year.

Modified calendar schools follow a schedule similar to year-round schools, but the entire school is on a single track.

2012-13 Multitrack Year-Round Calendar (PDF)
2012-13 Modified Calendar (PDF)

Magnet Schools
Magnet schools are public schools operating within the Wake County Public School System that optimize use of facilities by using unique programs such as Creative Arts & Science, Engineering and Montessori to attract families. They follow the Common Core State Standards and Essential Standards and offer enhancements to the curriculum based on a theme or an approach to learning. Any student enrolled/pre-registered in the Wake County Public School System is eligible to participate in the magnet selection process during the selection period each year.

For more information about the magnet school offerings visit the Magnet website or call the Magnet Resource Center, 919-431-7355.