Wake County Public School Systems is serving over 161,000 students during the 2025-26 school year across 203 schools. Four new schools are opening within the district to meet the growing population in the southern part of the county.
The school board also unanimously approved the school reassignment plan last November. Thousands of students will be shifted to different schools in order to address the ongoing growth.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the first day of school:
Transportation
Bus routes are no longer posted online for Wake County schools. Parents can find all transportation details in their Campus Parent account on Infinite Campus. Estimated stop times will be available there.
You can track the bus using Here Comes The Bus.
Bus routes were shared for traditional calendar schools on August 15. Please note that bus stops can change each year based on ridership.
HVAC Problems
Due to heating and cooling problems, students were dismissed early for a total of 40 days last school year.
The district said it's already installed temporary chillers to keep the AC going at schools known to have problems. There are also three additional units on standby should something happen on the first day of school.
Wake is still facing the larger challenge of upgrading all the aging HVAC systems. The work is estimated to cost $200 million.
Read more here.
SEE ALSO: WCPSS using new student data system this school year, how you can get access for your child
Cell Phone Use
Back in June, Wake passed a policy restricting the use of cell phone by students and went into effect in July.
Please note, this new policy will impact students differently depending on their grade levels. Few exceptions will be granted based on health needs or teacher authorizations.
Read more here.
School Lunch
Elementary
Reduced-price breakfast (for eligible students): $0.30
Full-price breakfast: $2
Reduced-price lunch: (for eligible students) $0.40
Full-price lunch: $3.75
Middle and High
Reduced-price breakfast (for eligible students): $0.30
Full-price breakfast: $2.25
Reduced-price lunch: (for eligible students) $0.40
Full-price lunch: $4
Some Wake County schools provide free meals to students through Universal (Free) Breakfast Program Schools and Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Click here for more information.
School Safety
During this year's SRO summit, the Rave Panic Button app was introduced to all faculty.
Parents and students can also use the Safe Schools Tip Line (919-856-1911), which goes to the WCPSS Alarm Monitoring Center. You can report threats of violence, aggressive behavior, weapons on campus, drugs or alcohol on campus, harassment, vandalism, suicide threats and anything else harmful to the school community.
Mental Health Resources
The district said it's hopeful that by the end of the year, all Wake County schools have their own dedicated therapist.
For health wellness resources for students and families, Click here .