WCPSS Faces Enrollment Growth and Goal 2008

August 25, 2005 - Dramatic growth is challenging students and teachers in the Wake County Public School System as the school system moves another year towards the challenge of Goal 2008.

Willow Springs Elementary is an example of a WCPSS school where students have enjoyed great success and where a number of new subdivisions are being developed.

"Willow Springs has developed a track record of success," said Superintendent Bill McNeal. "In Wake County, we see high quality teachers helping students achieve such success in every part of our county."

Willow Springs has been recognized by the state as a School of Excellence for the last four years. The school was one of 61 WCPSS schools honored this year as a School of Excellence. Another 43 WCPSS schools were honored as Schools of Distinction.

Willow Springs is also experiencing student enrollment growth like schools across Wake County. Principal Charles Langley is expecting 838 students this year. On the 20th day of school last year, there were 764 students. The school already has 10 classrooms in mobile and modular units. Preparations have begun for the addition of a six-classroom modular unit that will arrive this fall.

"In the last two years, more than 9,500 additional students have arrived at our schools," said McNeal. "We're expecting another 4,000 to 5,000 students this year. This rapid growth required the addition of mobiles and modular classrooms across the county, opening three schools early in temporary modular campuses and working closely with county commissioners and staff to prepare for the new schools this kind growth will require."

Four traditional calendar schools open
Cedar Fork Elementary, as well as the three temporary modular campuses - Forest Pines Elementary at the Dubois Center, Harris Creek Elementary at Spring Forest Road and Wakelon Elementary at Wendell Boulevard open today.

Kathy Marynak will be principal of Cedar Fork Elementary, which opens with kindergarten through fifth grade students. The school is located at 1050 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville. The principal at Forest Pines is Freda Cole. The school is opening at 530 East Perry Avenue in Wake Forest and will be there for two years while its permanent facility is built. Tammie Sexton is principal of Wakelon Elementary. The school is at 3409 NC 97 in Wendell for two years while its permanent facility is built. Harris Creek Elementary is on Spring Forest Road, next door to East Millbrook Middle. Vicki Perry is the principal and will relocate her school after one year to its permanent campus.

Swing Space
Northwoods Elementary has returned to its renovated campus after spending last year in swing space at the Cedar Fork campus. Thanks to the use of swing space, the school experienced no disruption from construction and renovations of its building were completed faster and less expensively since builders didn't have to work around classes being held.

River Oaks Middle opens this fall
An office building on New Bern Avenue is being renovated to become River Oaks Middle. Principal Susanne Warren will open the school later this fall. The school will provide short term intervention for middle school students whose patterns of behavior have put them at risk for long-term suspension.

Major Renovations
Major renovations were completed at Broughton High, Daniels Middle, Douglas Elementary, Ligon Middle, Longview, Millbrook High and North Garner Middle.

Systemwide improvements were completed at Apex Elementary, Apex High,+ Aversboro Elementary, Brassfield Elementary, Broughton High, East Wake Middle, Fox Road Elementary, Fuquay-Varina Elementary, Fuquay-Varina High, Green Elementary, Lead Mine Elementary, Leesville Road Middle, Penny Road Elementary, Powell Elementary, Root Elementary and Vandora Springs Elementary.

-wcpss-