Wake County leaders debate changes to year-round school calendars

District weighs shifting some schools to traditional schedules or single-track year-round to address under-enrollment and cut costs

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:21pm

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print of a grid of colorful school supplies, including pencils, notebooks, and erasers, in a pop art style that captures the essence of the story about calendar changes for year-round schools.The proposed changes to year-round school calendars in Wake County aim to address enrollment challenges while maintaining the benefits of frequent breaks for students.Today in Raleigh

Wake County school leaders are considering calendar changes for up to eight year-round schools, including potentially shifting some to a traditional schedule with a longer summer break or moving others to a single-track year-round calendar. The proposed changes aim to address under-enrollment at certain year-round schools while also cutting costs for the district.

Why it matters

Year-round school calendars have been used in Wake County to manage student growth, but with extra seats no longer needed in some areas, the district is now looking to optimize its schedules. The proposed changes would significantly impact families who have grown accustomed to the frequent breaks and structure of year-round schooling.

The details

One proposal would shift Holly Grove Elementary from a multi-track year-round calendar to a traditional schedule with a longer summer break, which a parent says would be "a huge disruption" for families. Other schools, like Pleasant Grove Elementary, could move to a single-track year-round schedule, which a parent says has already benefited their kindergartner, noting that a longer break "only increases the difficulty in them going back." The school board is expected to receive a final recommendation on May 5 and potentially vote on the changes on May 19.

  • The proposed changes would take effect in either the 2027-28 or 2028-29 school year.
  • The school board is expected to receive a final recommendation on May 5, 2026.
  • The school board is expected to vote on the proposed changes on May 19, 2026.

The players

Jackie Stearns

A parent who says the proposed shift from a multi-track year-round calendar to a traditional schedule at Holly Grove Elementary would be "a huge disruption" for families.

Alexander Thomas

A parent who says his family likes the idea of year-round schooling and that the frequent breaks throughout the year have already helped his kindergartner, noting that a longer break "only increases the difficulty in them going back."

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What they’re saying

“It would be a huge disruption to our families.”

— Jackie Stearns, Parent

“Year-round was new for me, but we like the idea. I feel like the longer of a break away from that schedule only increases the difficulty in them going back.”

— Alexander Thomas, Parent

What’s next

The school board is expected to receive a final recommendation on May 5 and potentially vote on the proposed changes on May 19.

The takeaway

The proposed calendar changes for year-round schools in Wake County highlight the ongoing challenges districts face in balancing enrollment, costs, and the needs of families. As the district weighs shifting some schools to traditional schedules or single-track year-round calendars, the impact on students and parents will be a key consideration.