Wake Forest's public schools are run by WCPSS. Magnet applications open Oct. 15. 2025-26 test scores and growth for every Wake Forest school.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Updated each school year and when the district changes a date. Facts on this page come from the Wake County Public School System and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
Every public school in Wake Forest, with its zone and report card: Wake Forest public schools.
Most public school students in Wake Forest attend the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), which projects 161,461 students countywide for 2026-27, according to its facts and figures page. Each address is assigned a base school, and families can apply to magnet, year-round and early college schools. Homes in the Franklin County part of town are served by Franklin County Schools. Wake Forest also has six charter schools, which are free, set their own calendars and admit by lottery.
Who to call
- WCPSS customer service: 919-431-7400 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays)
- Student assignment (which school is mine?): 919-431-7333
- Transportation and buses: 919-805-3030
- Magnet programs: 919-533-7295
- Franklin County Schools: 919-496-2600
Key dates this school year
From the district’s 2026-27 traditional calendar. Year-round schools follow their own track calendars on the same page.
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| Monday, Oct. 12 | Teacher workday, no school for students |
| Tuesday, Oct. 27 | End of first quarter |
| Tuesday, Nov. 3 | Teacher workday (Election Day), no school |
| Wednesday, Nov. 11 | Veterans Day holiday |
| Nov. 25-27 | Thanksgiving break |
| Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, 2027 | Winter break |
| Monday, Jan. 18, 2027 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday |
| March 26 to April 2, 2027 | Holiday, then spring break |
| June 9, 2027 | Last day of classes |
Enrolling and finding your school
New students enroll online through the district’s enrollment page, which links to the base school finder. For 2027-28:
- Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026: kindergarten and pre-K pre-registration opens.
- Oct. 15 to Dec. 11: applications for early college high schools and Crossroads FLEX High.
- Oct. 15 to Jan. 21, 2027: applications for magnet and year-round schools.
- Feb. 18, 2027: results for all application windows.
How Wake Forest’s schools score
North Carolina grades every public school A to F; look up any school on the N.C. School Report Cards. The tables below use the state’s 2025-26 results for public schools with a Wake Forest address: the share of tested students at grade level or above on state exams (all subjects) and whether the school met the state’s growth target. Across WCPSS, 68.2% of students were at grade level, against 59.2% statewide.
WCPSS high schools
| School | At grade level | College and career ready | Four-year graduation rate | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Wake College and Career Academy | 85.5% | 60.1% | Above 95% | Met |
| Heritage High | 67.3% | 46.4% | 90.8% | Met |
| Wake Forest High | 66.5% | 45.8% | 92.6% | Exceeded |
WCPSS middle schools
| School | At grade level | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage Middle | 81.2% | Met |
| Wake Forest Middle | 52.5% | Not met |
WCPSS elementary schools
| School | At grade level | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Jones Dairy | 81.8% | Not met |
| Heritage | 78.0% | Exceeded |
| Richland Creek | 73.4% | Met |
| Wake Forest | 67.4% | Met |
Charter schools with a Wake Forest address
| School | Grades | At grade level | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endeavor Charter | K-8 | 91.2% | Met |
| Franklin Academy | K-12 | 87.3% | Exceeded |
| Envision Science Academy | K-8 | 87.1% | Met |
| Wake Forest Charter Academy | K-8 | 68.0% | Exceeded |
| Wake Preparatory Academy | K-12 | 66.0% | Exceeded |
| Casa Esperanza Montessori | Pre-K-8 | 63.6% | Exceeded |
Source: N.C. Department of Public Instruction, 2025-26 School Assessment and Other Indicator Data. Test scores reflect who attends a school as much as how it teaches; growth measures progress over the year. Some schools that serve Wake Forest neighborhoods have Raleigh or Rolesville addresses and are not listed here.
The school board and the Nov. 3 bond
The nine-member Wake County Board of Education sets policy, hires the superintendent and adopts the budget request; it cannot set taxes. Find your member and watch meetings on the school board page.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, Wake County voters decide a $680 million school bond for renovations, new schools and repairs, according to the district’s bond page. See our voting guide.
What this means for you
- No school Monday, Oct. 12, on the traditional calendar.
- Want a magnet, year-round or early college seat for 2027-28? Apply starting Oct. 15.
- Check your base school with the district finder before you buy or rent, especially near the Franklin County line.
High school sports scores are on our scoreboard and Friday night football pages.
Which schools each part of town is zoned for: see our Wake Forest neighborhoods guide.
Frequently asked questions
What school district is Wake Forest in?
Most of Wake Forest is served by the Wake County Public School System, which assigns each address a base school. Homes in the Franklin County part of town are served by Franklin County Schools.
What is the best high school in Wake Forest?
On 2025-26 state tests, North Wake College and Career Academy had 85.5% of students at grade level, Heritage High 67.3% and Wake Forest High 66.5%. Wake Forest High exceeded expected growth; the other two met it.
When is winter break for Wake County schools?
On the 2026-27 traditional calendar, winter break runs from Monday, Dec. 21, 2026, through Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. Thanksgiving break is Nov. 25-27.
When do Wake County magnet applications open?
Applications for magnet and year-round schools open Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, and close Jan. 21, 2027. Results go out Feb. 18, 2027.
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