- Wake County Public School System
- Frequently Asked Questions
2024-25 Enrollment Proposal
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Frequently Asked Questions
Student assignment staff have compiled these frequently asked questions based on feedback from community engagement sessions and we will update these based on feedback from our online forum, ThoughtExhange.
General
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Why are there no changes included in Draft 2?
As the first draft was developed, staff worked diligently to incorporate feedback from the community and families received during previous enrollment planning efforts and activities hosted in the spring and summer of this year. In particular, feedback related to keeping students together, keeping neighborhoods together and offering as much stability as possible for families were balanced with the district’s needs to develop a plan for the 2024-2025 school year. Specifically, this plan focuses on the opening of a new school, crowding concerns at existing schools, crowding and projected enrollment growth at capped schools, and transportation inefficiencies. The first draft was developed with an emphasis on impacting the fewest number of students and families possible while addressing these factors. District staff fully understands that the majority of families would prefer not to be impacted by assignment changes, yet addressing the operational and system-wide needs of the district requires some assignment changes.
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For the areas recommended to be assigned to West Lake Elementary from Banks Road Elementary, will they be impacted again when Hilltop Needmore Elementary opens?
No. The recommendation included in the current draft of the proposal would not be subject to another elementary reassignment when Hilltop Needmore Elementary opens in 2025-2026.
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Once the enrollment plan is approved, when does it take effect?
The 2024-2025 enrollment plan, once approved, will take effect for the 2024-2025 school year. Assignment changes will not take effect until the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Start dates vary based on the operating calendar of the school. For more information on the approved 2024-2025 school calendars, visit www.wcpss.net/calendars.
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Our address currently lists Salem Middle as a year-round application school and the proposal recommends removing this option. Can we still apply to Salem Middle for the year-round calendar?
Yes. Please note that recommendations included in the proposal related to Calendar Application schools would remove district-provided transportation for these options. However, families may still request a transfer to these schools. In this example, families will still be able to submit a Request for Transfer asking for Salem Middle during the official request for transfer period (Mar. 4 - 15, for the 2024-2025 school year) and these requests will be evaluated in accordance with Board Policy 4150. If approved, such transfers would be without district-provided transportation. For more information on the request for transfer process, visit www.wcpss.net/changeyourschool.
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If/once the enrollment plan is approved, where do I go to register my rising kindergarten student for the 2024-2025 school year?
You will work with the base assigned school for the 2023-2024 school year to pre-register for the 2024-2025 school year, regardless of the changes included in an approved enrollment plan. Learn more about enrollment.
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If my older student is assigned to a year-round middle school and my younger student is assigned to a traditional calendar elementary school, how can I get them on the same calendar?
Families wishing to request a school other than their base school may submit an application during the magnet application period and/ or during the request for transfer application period. Visit www.wcpss.net/magnet for more information on our magnet programs, and www.wcpss.net/changeyourschool for more information on our request for transfer application process.
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My school is affected by this proposal. Is this a final decision?
This is the first draft of the 2024-25 enrollment plan. Families are encouraged to submit questions, thoughts, ideas or concerns using our online forum. The Board will review the second draft of the plan at a Work Session on October 17.
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What does "none" mean on the proposed draft plan? Can we not apply for a calendar option transfer according to this draft?
That means that there isn't a calendar application school offered for your address that will provide transportation. Families may apply to any school during the transfer process and, if approved, they wouldn't receive district-provided transportation. More information is at the bottom of this page.
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When will the plan be approved by the Board?
The plan is scheduled to be reviewed and approved by the Board at the November 21 Board Meeting. The second draft of the plan will be reviewed by the Board at a Work Session on October 17.
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I have questions or concerns about how the plan impacts my family. How can I share these with staff and the Board?
Families are encouraged to submit questions, thoughts, ideas, or concerns using our online forum. This is the first draft of the 2024-25 enrollment plan and the Board will review the second draft of the plan at a Work Session on October 17.
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We are moving from a traditional school to a year-round school. How will the tracks be assigned?
Track assignments are completed by the school. Principals work together to keep families on the same track.
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What are application dates for the 2024-25 school year?
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What policy guides the student assignment plan process?
Board Policy 4150 guides the development of annual enrollment plans. This policy includes 4 pillars: student achievement, stability, proximity, and operational efficiency. Assignment areas are developed by balancing, to the extent reasonable, the goals and factors outlined in the 4 pillars. Watch a video explaining this process.
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How will we be notified if my student is affected by this proposal?
Affected families will be notified via email after draft 2 is presented in October.
Proposed Stability Rules
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If I submit a Stability Transfer and later determine I cannot provide transportation or would rather have my student attend the newly assigned school for our address, can I ‘undo’ the transfer?
During the official request for transfer period (Mar. 4 - 15) families may submit a ‘back-to-base’ transfer request. If the school requested is not capped, the request will be approved by staff in accordance with Board Policy 4150. If the requested ‘back-to-base’ school is capped, we cannot guarantee that the request will be approved as such requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with Board Policy 4150
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Are stability transfers guaranteed to be approved?
If a student is eligible for a stability transfer (review the proposed stability rules) AND an application is submitted during the designated Stability Transfer application period (late November - early December), the request will be approved. Please note, that requests submitted after the Stability Transfer application period are NOT guaranteed and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with Board Policy 4150.
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If I have a rising second grade student that is impacted by the assignment plan (excluding Woods Creek Elementary and Pleasant Grove Elementary) will they be allowed to stay at their current school?
Current students impacted by assignment changes (excluding Woods Creek Elementary and Pleasant Grove Elementary) are eligible to remain assigned to their current school with transfer status (no district-provided transportation) through the terminal grade of the school.
- Rising Kindergarten, 6th, or 9th-grade siblings of eligible students are eligible to join their older siblings with transfer status (no district-provided transportation) through the terminal grade of the school.
Details for the process of requesting a stability transfer will be provided in Draft 2 of the enrollment proposal. Learn more about our proposed stability rules.
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When do you apply to remain at your school (stability transfer)?
After draft 2 is presented, we will email families who are affected by this proposal with additional information about when the stability transfer will open. The transfers should open sometime in December.
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Once I submit a stability transfer, will I need to re-submit the request each year thereafter?
Stability transfers are valid through the terminal grade of the school.
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Elementary school stability transfers are valid through the 5th grade and do NOT need to be requested each year.
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Middle school stability transfers are valid through the 8th grade and do NOT need to be requested each year.
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High school stability transfers are valid through the 12th grade and do NOT need to be requested each year.
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If my student is proposed to be assigned to Woods Creek Elementary, can they stay at their current school through the exit grade?
Students proposed to be assigned from an existing school (Apex Elementary, Holly Springs Elementary, or Oakview Elementary) to the new Woods Creek Elementary.
- Current students rising into 4th or 5th grades are eligible to remain assigned to their current school with transfer status (no district-provided transportation) through the terminal grade of the school.
- Rising Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd or 3rd-grade siblings of eligible rising 4th and 5th-grade students are eligible to join their older siblings with transfer status (no district-provided transportation) through the terminal grade of the school.
Details for the process of requesting a stability transfer will be provided in Draft 2 of the enrollment proposal. Learn more about our proposed stability rules.
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Why won't there be district transportation provided for stability transfers?
Base attendance areas proposed to be impacted by this proposal are projected to continue to grow in the next several years. Capping the schools was not recommended due to the inefficiency it causes with transportation. If we are reassigning the area to another base school, offering bus service for Stability Transfers will put an additional burden on the routing system.
Proposed Changes Involving Pleasant Grove
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Can the stability rules for the recommendations related to Pleasant Grove Elementary be expanded to include all existing students?
There are significant changes recommended for the Pleasant Grove Elementary base attendance area. Therefore, the stability rules recommended for students impacted by these changes are similar to those for opening a new school. At this stage in the process, it is difficult to accurately predict how many students will take advantage of the proposed stability rules and remain assigned to their current school of Alston Ridge, Parkside or Pleasant Grove Elementary for the 2024-25 school year. In addition, there is continued enrollment growth in the remaining Alston Ridge and Parkside Elementary base areas.
Families not eligible under the current stability rules may submit a request for transfer during the official transfer window and explain their hardship reasons for requesting the transfer. Requests for transfer are evaluated in accordance with Board Policy 4150, and if approved, are approved without district-provided transportation. More information on this process can be found at www.wcpss.net/changeyourschool. Specific information for the 2024-25 school year will be provided in early 2024.
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Can we wait until Parkside Middle opens in 2026-2027 to make the elementary changes currently in the proposal that impact current Alston Ridge Elementary and Parkside Elementary students and families?
Alston Ridge Elementary and Parkside Elementary are currently overcrowded and capped multi-track year-round schools with projected enrollment growth in their existing base attendance areas. These schools are already operating well above 100% capacity and the projected enrollment growth for the next two years in their current base attendance areas would potentially have these campuses operating at 115-121%, which is not sustainable for these schools. Keep in mind that although our capped and overcrowded schools are doing a great job of working to meet the needs of their students under crowded conditions, they are not using the school buildings as they were designed to be used and are not operating in an ideal academic environment.
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Can trailers be added to Parkside Elementary to increase its capacity and remove the need for the current recommendations to assign a portion of the existing base to Pleasant Grove Elementary?
Parkside Elementary was designed with the planning assumption that no trailers would ever be added to the site. Therefore, the facility’s core spaces are not designed to accommodate additional students. If trailers could be added, the core spaces (cafeteria, etc.) could not be adjusted AND additional site improvements would be required to address stormwater, parking and carpool stacking, etc. Separately, any capacity that could be gained by adding trailers is not sufficient to address the projected enrollment growth for this school.
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Can other schools in the Northwestern area be converted to a year-round school and then remove the current recommendations that impact Alston Ridge Elementary and Parkside Elementary?
The recommendations included in the proposal are specifically to relieve crowding and address projected enrollment growth at Alston Ridge Elementary and Parkside Elementary, which are both capped schools. Both of these schools already operate on a multi-track year-round calendar. Converting other area schools to a multi-track year-round calendar would not solve these concerns. Separately, staff will continue to evaluate all of the tools available to address other capped and overcrowded schools in this region, including an analysis of the impact of converting existing schools to a multi-track year-round calendar.
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Can students from other capped elementary schools in the Northwestern area be assigned to Pleasant Grove Elementary instead of the current recommendations that impact Alston Ridge Elementary and Parkside Elementary?
The recommendations included in the proposal are specifically to relieve crowding and address projected enrollment growth at Alston Ridge Elementary and Parkside Elementary, which are both capped schools. Reassigning areas from Cedar Fork Elementary or Northwoods Elementary would not solve these concerns. Separately, the number of students residing in these areas is significantly lower than the areas included in the proposal and would not be a comparable alternative to the current recommendations.
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If the proposal is approved, is there an option for Pleasant Grove Elementary to be a year-round school?
Converting Pleasant Grove Elementary from a traditional calendar to multi-track year-round calendar will be explored with impacted families. Information will be included in the final draft of the proposal. An initial analysis indicates that converting Pleasant Grove Elementary to a multi-track year-round calendar would:
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allow families recommended to be assigned from Alston Ridge and Parkside Elementary stability of calendar
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allow for K-8 calendar alignment for a large majority of families impacted by the current proposal
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change the calendar for existing Pleasant Grove Elementary students that remain assigned to the school
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sufficiently accommodate future projected growth in the area
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require substantive preparation from school staff to adjust to the new operating calendar
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increase the capacity of the school from 616 to 814
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If my student is proposed to be assigned to Pleasant Grove Elementary, can they stay at their current school through the exit grade?
Students proposed to be assigned from an existing school (Alston Ridge Elementary or Parkside Elementary) to Pleasant Grove Elementary.
- Current students rising into 4th or 5th grades are eligible to remain assigned to their current school with transfer status (no district-provided transportation) through the terminal grade of the school.
- Rising Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd-grade siblings of eligible rising 4th and 5th-grade students are eligible to join their older siblings with transfer status (no district-provided transportation) through the terminal grade of the school.
Details for the process of requesting a stability transfer will be provided in Draft 2 of the enrollment proposal. Learn more about our proposed stability rules.
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If my student is proposed to be assigned from Pleasant Grove Elementary to Brier Creek Elementary, Leesville Elementary or York Elementary, can they stay at their current school through the exit grade?
Students proposed to be assigned from Pleasant Grove Elementary to an existing school (Brier Creek Elementary, Leesville Road Elementary or York Elementary).
- Current students rising into 4th or 5th grades are eligible to remain assigned to their current school with transfer status (no district-provided transportation) through the terminal grade of the school.
- Rising Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd-grade siblings of eligible rising 4th and 5th-grade students are eligible to join their older siblings with transfer status (no district-provided transportation) through the terminal grade of the school.
Details for the process of requesting a stability transfer will be provided in Draft 2 of the enrollment proposal. Learn more about our proposed stability rules.
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If we are assigned to Pleasant Grove Elementary, the calendar for our elementary school will be traditional and for our middle school will be year-round. How can we get our students on the same calendar?
Families wishing to request a school other than their base school may submit an application during the magnet application period and/or during the transfer request/traditional calendar application period for a different school. Please visit our www.wcpss.net/magnet for more information on our magnet programs, and www.wcpss.net/changeyourschool for more information on our request for transfer/traditional calendar application process.
Please note, that impacted families with students rising into 4th or 5th grade will be eligible for a stability transfer and can remain at their current year-round elementary school without district transportation.
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Why aren’t you including a middle school change in the proposal for the areas being assigned to Pleasant Grove Elementary to make sure that the elementary and middle school calendars are aligned?
Parkside Middle is projected to open soon. We anticipate the areas being assigned to Pleasant Grove Elementary will be impacted by the opening of this new school. To avoid multiple reassignments at the middle school level for these areas, no middle school changes are proposed at this time.
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Why are some Alston Ridge Elementary and Parkside Elementary families proposed to be assigned to Pleasant Grove Elementary?
Although Alston Ridge Elementary and Parkside Elementary may be more proximate for some families, these schools are currently capped and the existing base area for these schools continues to grow. Pleasant Grove Elementary is the closest elementary school with available capacity that can provide sustainable relief to these capped/overcrowded schools.
Proposed Changes Involving Bryan Road
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Why are some Bryan Road Elementary families proposed to be assigned to Aversboro, Rand or Vance Elementary?
Although Bryan Road Elementary may be more proximate for some families, this school is currently overcrowded and the existing base area for this school continues to grow. Aversboro Elementary, Rand and Vance Elementary are the closest elementary schools with available capacity that can provide sustainable relief to this overcrowded school.
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Our neighborhood is closer to Bryan Road Elementary than Aversboro Elementary, why is there a recommendation to change our school assignment to Aversboro Elementary?
The neighborhoods along New Bethel Church Road that are recommended for assignment to Aversboro Elementary are more proximate to Aversboro Elementary than other portions of the Bryan Road Elementary base. While not the most proximate school for these neighborhoods, Aversboro Elementary is the most proximate school with available capacity to support these neighborhoods over time.
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Our neighborhood is in the proposal to change our school assignment from Bryan Road Elementary to Aversboro Elementary. Can my students stay at Bryan Road Elementary if the proposal is approved?
Current students impacted by assignment changes related to Bryan Road Elementary are eligible to remain assigned to their current school with transfer status (no district-provided transportation) through 5th grade.
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Rising Kindergarten siblings of eligible students are eligible to join their older siblings with transfer status (no district-provided transportation) through 5th grade.
Details for the process of requesting a stability transfer will be provided in Draft 2 of the enrollment proposal. Learn more about our proposed stability rules.
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If I have a rising 2nd and 4th grade students that are impacted by the recommendations for Bryan Road Elementary, will they be allowed to stay at their current school? Also, if I have a rising kindergarten student - can they join their older siblings?
Yes. In the current proposal, current students attending Bryan Road Elementary who are impacted by the recommendations for Pleasant Grove Elementary are eligible for stability transfers. Once the final plan is approved by the Board, impacted families eligible for a stability transfer will be contacted with specific instructions on how to submit their requests to remain at their current school, without district-provided transportation. In addition, if you have pre-registered your rising kindergartener, you will be able to submit the request for this future student to join their older sibling(s) through this same process.
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If my rising 4th grade student receives a stability transfer for 2024-25, will their younger sibling be able to join them in 2025-26 when they start kindergarten?
Yes. Policy allows staff to approve transfers for incoming kindergarteners to attend the same school as an older sibling. Such requests will be submitted during the official request for transfer window for the 2025-26 school year.
Proposed Changes Involving Woods Creek Elementary and Oakview Elementary
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Why is Woods Creek Elementary recommended to open as a year-round school?
Woods Creek Elementary is recommended to open as a multi-track year-round calendar school to address the current overcrowding at nearby schools, and to accommodate the continued growth in the proposed attendance area. At this time, there are no additional new schools projected to open in this area, and opening Woods Creek Elementary as a year-round calendar school will allow the school to manage the projected enrollment growth in the proposed attendance area for the foreseeable future.
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Why are you including a middle school change in the proposal for the areas being assigned to the new Woods Creek Elementary?
Apex Friendship Middle is a capped school and its existing base attendance area continues to grow, and Apex Middle is an overcrowded school and its existing base attendance area continues to grow. The middle school changes in the proposal for this area are to relieve the crowding at these two schools and to align the K-8 feeder pattern for Woods Creek Elementary.
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If the proposal is approved for Woods Creek Elementary to open as a year-round school, is there an option for these students to request a traditional calendar elementary school?
Families wishing to request a school other than their base school may submit an application during the magnet application period and/ or during the transfer request/ traditional calendar application period for a different school. Please visit our website at www.wcpss.net/magnet for more information on our magnet programs, and www.wcpss.net/changeyourschool for more information on our request for transfer/ traditional calendar application process (specific information for the 2024-25 school year will be provided in early 2024).
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Why are some Apex Elementary and Oakview Elementary families proposed to be assigned to the new Woods Creek Elementary?
Although Apex Elementary and Oakview Elementary may be more proximate for some families, these schools are currently capped and the existing base area for these schools continues to grow. The new Woods Creek Elementary is the closest elementary school with available capacity that can provide sustainable relief to these capped/ overcrowded schools.
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Our neighborhood is closer to Oakview Elementary than Woods Creek Elementary, why is there a recommendation to change our school assignment to Woods Creek Elementary?
For the neighborhoods along Old Holly Springs Apex Rd, Woods Creek Elementary, while not the most proximate school, is the most proximate school with available capacity to support these neighborhoods over time.
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Since Oakview Elementary is a capped school, if the proposal is approved will students that are currently attending the overflow school be allowed to ‘come back’ to their base school?
At this stage in the planning process, it is difficult to accurately predict how many students will take advantage of the proposed stability rules and remain assigned to their current school of Oakview Elementary for the 2024-25 school year. In addition, there is continued enrollment growth in the remaining Oakview Elementary base area. However, the goal for this area is to significantly reduce the number of overflow students for the 2024-25 for this school and, ultimately, to remove the cap at this school over time.
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My student is currently attending Laurel Park Elementary as a year-round calendar application student. Our address is in the proposal to be assigned to the new Woods Creek Elementary, will my allowed to stay at Laurel Park Elementary?
In the current proposal, only students rising into 4th or 5th grade who are impacted by the recommendations for Woods Creek Elementary are eligible for stability transfers. In addition, younger siblings (existing students that are rising into 1st through 3rd grade) of these students are also eligible for stability transfers. Once the final plan is approved by the Board, impacted families will be contacted with specific instructions on how to submit their requests to remain at their current school, without district-provided transportation. Transfers approved through this process are valid through the terminal grade of the school.
Families not eligible for stability transfers may submit a request during the official transfer window and explain their hardship reasons for requesting the transfer. Requests for transfer are evaluated in accordance with Board Policy 4150, and if approved are approved without district-provided transportation. More information on this process can be found at www.wcpss.net/changeyourschool. Specific information for the 2024-25 school year will be provided in early 2024.
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Can families that will remain assigned to Oakview Elementary apply for a year-round seat at the new Woods Creek Elementary?
Although Woods Creek Elementary is not specifically recommended as a year-round application school, families will be able to submit a request during the official transfer window and explain their hardship reasons for requesting the transfer. Requests for transfer are evaluated in accordance with Board Policy 4150, and if approved are approved without district-provided transportation. More information on this process can be found at www.wcpss.net/changeyourschool. Specific information for the 2024-25 school year will be provided in early 2024.
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If our student is currently at a year-round school and is reassigned to a traditional calendar school, is there an opportunity to request that my child attend a different year-round school as long as I provide transportation?
Yes. Families wishing to request a transfer to a school other than their assigned school will be able to submit requests for a different school during the magnet application period as well as during the request for transfer period. Magnet applications are processed via a prioritized lottery, and information on this process can be found at www.wcpss.net/magnet. Requests for transfer are evaluated in accordance with Board Policy 4150, and if approved are approved without district-provided transportation. More information on this process can be found at www.wcpss.net/changeyourschool. Specific information for the 2024-25 school year will be provided in early 2024.