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The system was formed in 1976 through the merger of the former City of Raleigh and Wake County school systems. The system and its school board are committed to providing the highest possible quality of education to Wake County students, while maintaining fiscal responsibility and accountability.

Enrollment (2008-09): 137,706 students on the 20th day of school; largest system in the state; 18th largest in the nation

Number of Graduates (2007-08): 7,684

Graduates Pursuing Higher Education (2007-08): 90 percent planned to pursue some form of higher education -- 64 percent to four-year colleges or universities and 26 percent to two-year colleges.

Student Demographic Composition (2008-09):

•Ethnicity: 51.8 percent white, 26.1 percent African-American, 11.5 percent Hispanic, 5.8 percent Asian, 4.6 percent Multi-racial, 0.3 percent American Indian.
•Special services: 9.3 percent Limited English Proficient. 5.1 percent English as a Second Language. 28.4 percent receiving free or reduced-priced lunch.
•Academically Gifted and Special Education Services: 25.9 percent in AG programs. 13.16 percent receiving special education services.
Schools (2008-09): 156 including 99 elementary, 30 middle, 23 high, and 4 special/optional schools.

•49 operate on a year-round calendar (41 elementary, 8 middle)
•5 operate on a modified calendar (2 elementary, 2 middle, 1 high)
•1 operates on a calendar matching the community college calendar (Wake Early College of Health and Sciences high school)
•101 operate on a traditional calendar (56 elementary, 20 middle, 21 high and 4 special/optional)
Operating Budget (2008-09): Approximately $1.2 billion with 88% going to schools (people, supplies, training), 7% to auxiliary services, 2% to instructional services, 1% to administrative services, 1% to technology services, and 1% organizational development, communications, area superintendents and the Wake County Board of Education.

•Funding Sources: 62 percent from the state, 32 percent from local sources, 6 percent from federal sources
Number of Employees (2008-09): 18,294 (does not include temporary hourly)

•Number of Instructional Personnel: 10,828 (teachers, guidance, media, etc.)
•Number of Teachers: 9,419
Teacher/Student Ratio: Grades K, 1:21.5; Grades 1-3, 1:23; Grades 4-5, 1:25.5 (only classroom teachers); Grades 6-8, 1:22.5 (based on average daily membership allotments); Grades 9-12, 1:24 (based on average daily membership allotments)

Teacher Salaries (2008-09): $34,462 (bachelor's and first year of teaching) to $75,596 (master's, national board certified and 29+ years).

School Buses: 874 yellow school buses travel more than 4,000 bus routes carrying more than 70,000 children daily during the 2007-08 school year

Mobile Classrooms: About 1,100 total.

Area: 864 square miles in Wake County