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Wake County to add 13 new schools, reassign students

Laura Evans, the district's senior director of student assignment, said the expansion is needed because more than 40,000 new students are projected to join the school system by 2019

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WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — The Wake County Public School System plans to open 13 new schools over the next three years, officials said Tuesday.

Laura Evans, the district’s senior director of student assignment, said the expansion is needed because more than 40,000 new students are projected to join the school system by 2024. In total, there will be eight new elementary schools, three new middle schools, and two new high schools.

Next year, the district will open five new schools:

Oakview Elementary in Apex/Holly Springs

White Oak Elementary in Cary

Pleasant Grove Elementary in Knightdale

Beaver Dam Elementary in Brier Creek

Pine Hollow Middle School in Brier Creek

In order to address overcrowding, school officials said they have established a plan to reassign students to different schools.

District officials said grandfather clauses are available for some students assigned to new schools. Rising fourth- and fifth-grade students assigned to a new elementary school and rising eighth-grade students assigned to new middle schools are eligible to remain at their current school. Parents must provide transportation for these students.

In addition to relieving overcrowding at schools, staff members are also recommending changes that would align elementary and middle school calendars.

The school board is expected to approve the plan in November or December.

Parents can offer input on the proposed plan here.

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