Moving to Raleigh. Trying to find best area to live to be well positioned for public schools.

I have a 3 year old and 1 year old. We will rent, at first, to get a feel for the area. My main concern is good public elem/midd schools and eventually buying in that district or area. Wakefield, Cary and N. Raleigh are most appealing. Am I understanding right that, in the end, it won't matter where we live as they may get bussed anyway? What if we live in the $400-500K housing area? If not, is the only way to get around this to go charter or private? Thanks, in advance!

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once/if you have a child accepted into a magnet elementary, then the middle and high school "related" magnets are supposed to be much much easier to get into. Once you get one child into a magnet, then the "trailing siblings" are first in line for spots. The issue is getting the first one accepted. The elections we underwent - which you may have been in town to read about or participate in, will have a significant effect on the busing practices of the past decades.

Once your child gets into a magnet, siblings are automatically in.

I sent my son to a magnet for kindergarten. I eventually got him into Quest, a charter school. Look into Endeavor, also.

Thanks for that info. Those are the areas we're considering. How does the magnet school thing work beyond elementary? I assume you do the same application process for middle and high school or are there any partnerships with elementary schools that help your assurance in moving on to the next level, particularly keeping siblings in the same school?

As for the best magnets, I assume I'll just research this site for the best magnets unless you have good recommendations.

By the way, I live in Cary, and do love my base school, too. Most of schools in cary/apex are good (with a couple of exceptions..).

Cary, N. Raleigh, Wakefiled are all wake county school district. As you mentioned, because of growth and other reason, base schools are frequently changed. Now, they put 3 yr plan in their web, so at least you can plan. (www.wcpss.net).

One way to avoid this reassignment problem is magnet school (which I did).
There are many good magnets, and each has different character. Your kids have to apply and to be selected to get in (lottery process) when he/she goes a kindergarten. But if your kids are selected, they will not reassigned and siblings will be almost always accepted to same school.

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Moving to Raleigh. Trying to find best area to live to be well positioned for public schools.

Parent Answers to "Moving to Raleigh. Trying to find best area to live to be well positioned for public schools."

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