- Wake County Public School System
- Assignment Planning Process
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Assignment Planning Process
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WCPSS staff collaborates with demographers, Wake County government, and municipal officials to develop a 10-year student membership forecast that is updated annually. The forecast helps us to better understand when and where new growth is coming into our district. This forecast helps us look ahead, up to ten years, and project enrollment growth throughout the district. This information helps us update our capital improvement plan and make more informed decisions about school assignments.
How it works
Below is the timeline for the annual enrollment planning process.
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Presentation of the Student Membership Forecast (1-year and 10-year projections) - Review the materials | Watch the presentation on YouTube
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Review of projected crowding for the next school year - Review the materials | Watch the presentation on YouTube
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Review of Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) updates (7-year plan)
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Preparation of the Annual Enrollment Plan
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Public engagement to capture thoughts and ideas to support the development of the next enrollment plan. Review engagement session feedback and summaries.
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Review of goals for the next enrollment plan with the Board. Review the materials | Watch the presentation on YouTube.
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Presentation of an initial draft of the enrollment plan
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Public engagement to help families review and understand the recommendations in the initial draft plan
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Review of public feedback with the Board and presentation of any recommended revisions to the initial draft
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Public hearing on the draft enrollment plan by the Board
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Presentation of the final draft of the enrollment plan for the Board's review and approval
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Review and approval of capped schools due to overcrowding concerns
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Review of options to address other school utilization concerns
What's next?
March and April - Student assignment staff hosted regional public engagement sessions for areas that may be impacted by the opening of 5 new schools in the 2025-26 school year and 1 school projected to open in the 2026-27 school year. Review the feedback submitted via ThoughtExchange below.
Virtual Public Engagement Sessions: May 8 and 9 - Student assignment staff hosted two virtual public engagement sessions to provide a general understanding of the planning process and potential assignment impacts involving current schools. Review the feedback submitted via ThoughtExchange.
If you missed the in-person and virtual public engagement sessions, watch this video detailing the presentation.
June - Focus groups on topics related to student assignment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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When will we know the calendars of the schools opening?
Several factors are considered when making calendar recommendations for new schools. Factors impacting the new school's community such as the proposed base attendance area for the new school, capacity needs, options for calendar alignment across grades K-8, and transportation patterns are reviewed. Recommendations for the calendar will be presented along with the proposed attendance area, generally in the fall at least one year before the school opening.
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Why are reassignments needed?
There are several reasons why reassignments may be needed. Due to growth in certain parts of the county, new schools are needed. When new schools are built, reassignments are necessary to fill these schools. Reassignments are also needed to address crowding when no new schools are opening in an area.
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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 the process.
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Will there be options for a stability transfer?
Per Board Policy 4150: To the extent practicable, a student who is reassigned will be provided an opportunity to stay at the current school for one additional year if it is the terminal grade for an elementary or middle school (grades 5 and 8), and the student’s siblings will be provided an opportunity to attend the same school for the one year period. The student and siblings must apply for these transfers at the designated time. Also, to the extent practicable, any student currently in high school who is reassigned from an existing school to an existing school will be provided an opportunity to stay at the current school until the terminal grade (grade 12). In addition, opportunities to remain at the current school, including for siblings, may be included in the annual student enrollment plan.
More information regarding the recommendations for the 2025-26 school year will be provided once the stability rules for these plans have been established.
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If I have to move to a year-round school, how are tracks assigned?
Track assignments are completed by the school. Principals work together to keep families on the same track.
2025-26 Enrollment Proposal
The initial draft of the 2025-26 Enrollment Proposal was released on Sep. 3, 2024. Learn more.
