WCPSS Seeks Feedback on K-8 Hilburn Drive Proposal
Sept. 16, 2011 - An online survey debuting Saturday, Sept. 17, on the Wake County Public School System website is soliciting community feedback on an innovative K-8 concept proposed for Hilburn Drive Elementary School beginning with the 2012-13 school year.
Under the proposal, Hilburn Drive would become a K-8 school that could operate in one of three fashions: strictly traditional for both K-5 and 6-8; traditional at K-5 and single track 4 year-round at 6-8; or traditional at K-5 and multi-track year-round at 6-8.
"There are a number of potential benefits to an innovative approach like this," said Superintendent Tony Tata. "We want to get as much feedback as we can from parents. We’ve already held two parent sessions at the school and now this survey will afford parents the opportunity to provide additional comments."
Some of the benefits of a K-8 school include:
- No transition between elementary and middle school
- Consistent elementary to middle school student experience
- Stronger relationships among students, parents and teachers
- Financial savings through efficient space utilization
- Increased academic achievement according to several studies
The survey is intended for Hilburn Drive parents, parents of rising kindergartners and parents of students at nearby schools who would be able to choose Hilburn under the proposed Wake County Student Assignment Plan. Those schools include Leesville, Brier Creek and Sycamore Creek elementary schools.
The online survey can be found at tinyurl.com/WakeK8-Survey or the front page of the WCPSS website, and will be available for two weeks. Parents may also take the survey at the school. Information sheets about the survey will be sent home with students.
The survey asks parents for their thoughts about the school’s calendar, program offerings, bell schedule and more.