Wake County school board lands on new university partner for leadership academies

WAKE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Months after the Wake County Public School System ended its partnership with Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh, the district has selected a new partner for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond.

The partnership allowed students at the Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy and the Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy to earn credit toward a high school diploma and take college-level courses to satisfy degree requirements at the collegiate level.

"It's been really stressful. She was lucky when all of this happened and they really had no idea what the following year looked like," said WYWLA parent Alison Mendez. Her daughter is a rising sophomore at the academy and future plans at the school were uncertain.

For the 2024-2025 school year, WCPSS leaders selected a partnership with Wake Tech. However, staff and the school board were in communication with Shaw University and NC State University to foster a new relationship beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

"I just want the one that provides better support for our students because they are young and they're going onto this college campus. And so, I think there's pros and cons to each," said Mendez.

During Tuesday afternoon's work session at district headquarters, the board was presented with financial information for Shaw University, whose fiduciary records are not public as the school is private. Additionally, both NC State and Shaw were reviewed by district staff and board members.

The committee outlined "key contributors" for selecting a university to continue a partnership with.

• WCPSS and university courses being offered on campus
• Leadership development opportunities
• Course offerings
• University amenities WCPSS students are allowed to access
• Academic support (Access to grades, progress monitoring)
• Proximity to the WYWLA and WYMLA main campuses
• University liaison that supports the academies (paid by the university)

"We still want our young people to be young people," said board member Monika Johnson-Hostler.

According to one staff member on the review committee, one university declined the request by WCPSS to allow district courses to be taught on its campus.

"I really represented what I think the board's decision and desire would be. So with that, we're prepared to say to the board that Shaw University would be the selection that we would have," said WCPSS superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor. "I think when we narrowed it down, looked at those two final universities, I think it was clear in terms of what we felt would be a benefit for the district."

A spokesperson for WCPSS said despite Dr. Taylor's comments, the entire board still needed to officially vote on the new partnership and it won't be official until the vote is completed.

That vote happened Tuesday night, not long after the committee meeting. The full board approved Shaw as the new partner.

Mendez said she just wants the decision to be made with the best intentions for her daughter and other students.

"They have told us if we want to come back, she can," added Mendez. "So right now, she's got a seat at a charter school that's nearby. But depending on what they say and if they can get this all worked out, she may end up back there this year."