School Advice - Which One?

My 7th and 8th graders have been in Wake County year-round schools since kindergarten. We have loved year-round for a couple of reasons. Instead of taking vacation in the summer, we are able to travel during track-out in the fall, winter, or spring, which allows more flexiblity and usually less crowded, and less expensive trips. With 3 week track-outs instead of a 2 1/2 month summer break, my kids retain more of their learning and don't have time to get "lazy" during break. It doesn't take weeks to get back in the swing of things after breaks. Day care has not been an issue because the YMCA holds track out programs at or near most schools.

The down side is now that they are in middle school and participating in sports, they must go to team practice whether they are tracked our or not. This means I have to get them to school or make arrangements for someone to get them there for after school practices even if they are tracked out. I work full-time, so that is a little hard for me.

Now, about Wake County schools vs. Chatham Co. We have been very pleased with the education our children have received in Wake Co, however with the growth in this area, there have been many, many rezoning of districts, therefore shifting kids from one school to another. We have been very lucky not to have been affected, but I've heard of some students being reassigned every year for two or three years in a row. That is not good! I don't think Chatham Co is experiencing the same growth rate as Wake, so reassignments may not be an issue there and the schools may not be as crowded.

Hope this info helps!

I hear more about Wake county- good and bad because that is where I live. There are both good and bad schools within the district. The problem with Wake County is that the explosion in growth we see results in redistricting of schools. I have never been redistricted- knock on wood... but can understand the frustration. My kids currently attend a traditional calendar.. I would prefer year round but there is not a year round option for my oldest daughter and we like for them to be on the same schedule. I would look at test scores for the schools. Wake County's website is www.wcpss.net. So far I personally have had great experiences at Lincoln Heights Elem, Holly Ridge Elem and Middle. I was not as impressed with Fuquay Middle. I hear most of the schools in the Cary/Apex/Morrisville area are pretty good.I wish you the best of luck!!

I agree with "Jennifer C" 100%. I was a teacher in a year round school and it was great! By the time the teacher and kids get "burnt out" it's time to leave and take a bit of a break. I also loved the ability to take a vacation in the off season. As far as the sports thing, I can understand how it's hard, but it is also a way for your kids to see their friends when they are on break without hanging out at the mall. I only have a 3 year and a 4 month old, so I haven't had the chance to experience the driving back and forth yet, but I imagine it's worth it to know your kids are doing something constructive with their time while they are off school.

There are so many camps around that have track out programs (your 3 week break is called track out...in case you were not familiar with that term) since a good # of schools went year round. Finding care shouldn't be a problem.

Hope you love it here as much as I do!

Welcome to the area! I hope you enjoy living here. I think that either county would be great. I am in Wake County schools and so far have no complaints regarding teachers, etc. I have been trying to get into year-round school, but no luck as of yet. For our family (one working parent) the schedule would work great for us. many of our friends are in year-round school and love it.