Looking at Private & Public Wake County Schools? Explore WCA
As a parent, the public vs. private school decision can be a difficult one. You’re considering tuition, curriculum, after school programming, and more. And you want to get it right, because you know the influence your child’s school environment has on their character development and their interest in learning.
To help you weigh the pros and cons of public vs private schools in Wake County, we’ve put together a chart with information on how they can meet your family’s needs.
Private Christian School |
Public School |
| Smaller class sizes mean teachers can help address individual student needs. | Large class sizes can make it difficult for teachers to tend-to individual student needs. |
| Individualized Learning Center resources offer an integrated, personalized approach for students with learning differences. | Dedicated classrooms and teachers are available for students with learning differences. |
| Administrators are more flexible and accessible as they have more opportunity to get to know your student. | Oftentimes restricted by school size, standardized testing, and limited funding. |
| After school care is available on-campus, with dedicated study time and activities for kids of all ages. | Transportation to and from school is available, with non-school sponsored after school care options available. |
| A Christian community of like-minded peers offers students a strong support system from kindergarten all the way through high school. | Students may be reassigned to new schools and students transition through different schools at different ages — elementary, junior high, and high school. |
| Extracurricular activities are encouraged and supported, and tend to focus on building character and Christian values. | Extracurricular activities are encouraged but can be affected by budget cuts. In larger public schools, participation can be more limited. |
| Tuition is an investment in a child’s education. | No tuition costs are involved. |
Wake Christian Academy is a leading private school in Raleigh offering a Christian education to children in grades K-12 for more than 50 years. At WCA, we focus on character development and academic preparedness for college and career. We are supporting each students’ unique goals and gifts, while also preparing them for a life of Christian discipleship, leadership, and service.
How does WCA define Christian education?
At WCA, we think of our school as much more than an educational institution — it’s also a ministry, a support system, and a safe place for students to grow and mature. Christian values are interwoven into everything we do, from academics to extracurriculars to athletics.
The vision of Wake Christian Academy is to emphasize the preeminence of Christ in life and learning. (Colossians 1:18)
We’re educating tomorrow’s leaders so we are intentional about what we teach and how we teach it. We believe Jesus Christ is our ultimate leader in learning and in life. We look at our WCA families as partners in our mission, ensuring the same values taught and modeled at home are also taught and modeled at WCA. This level of commitment strengthens the bonds of our family-like atmosphere.
Learn more about the Wake Christian Academy private school experience.
What does WCA’s curriculum look like?
A WCA education is one that continuously builds on a strong foundation. It starts with our youngest learners and culminates in a high school graduate who is academically prepared and confident in themselves and their beliefs. In addition to studying core subjects, students uncover passions and interests through fine arts and STEM courses. In addition to regular Bible lessons and weekly chapel services, students discover the many gifts of service through community outreach projects.
In high school, we offer courses from four academic tiers — College Preparatory, Honors, Advanced Placement, and can recommend Dual Enrollment options — and students are able to choose from any or all academic levels based upon personal interests, faculty recommendations, and academic qualifications.
What does campus life look like?
Campus life at WCA looks like a vibrant, engaging environment where children are seen, valued, loved, understood, and mentored to be leaders with strong Christian values. With a student body of approximately 900 students, WCA feels like a big, supportive family. Students develop spiritually, academically, and socially, and graduate ready to make a positive impact on the world around them.
WCA students have a variety of enrichment opportunities to choose from. They can participate in athletics, including baseball, swimming, softball, football, volleyball, soccer, tennis, basketball, golf, cross country, and track and field. Participation in clubs and organizations starts as early as elementary school and includes LEGO Builders, STEM, & Engineering, Mock Trial Club, Beta Club, and more.
Colossians 3:12 — So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
As part of spiritual life at WCA, students have the opportunity to participate in community service and mission trips. Past service opportunities include volunteering at Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, N.C., traveling to San Lucas, Guatemala, to serve at the Oasis Children’s Home, and serving in small groups with Child Evangelism Fellowship.
Daily Bible lessons and weekly chapel services are part of the WCA experience. Middle and high school students have the opportunity to lead worship services.
What kind of support services does WCA offer?
We believe that each child is a unique individual created by God in His image and thus is deserving of a quality education. WCA has an Individualized Learning Center (ILC) and Curriculum Assistance Program (CAP), which provide individual instruction to students with diverse learning styles and needs. The ILC and CAP help close some academic and skills gaps, and serve as an auxiliary support for the classroom experience.
Where do WCA graduates attend college?
We are a college preparatory school. Our graduates leave us ready for the rigorous academics of college, as well as the spiritual resolve necessary for a confident, successful future in leadership, discipleship, and service.
Our graduates have been accepted to some of the best schools in the southeast and the country, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Virginia, Bob Jones University, Brown University, the College of William & Mary, Davidson College, Duke University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Wake Forest University, Washington & Lee University, Wofford College, and Yale University.
Can I take a tour of WCA?
The best way to see why families choose Wake Christian Academy is to visit our campus — see our classrooms, talk with our staff, and meet our teachers. Virtual tours are also available. Contact our admissions office at (919) 772-6264 or complete our online inquiry form with any questions or to schedule a tour.
You can experience WCA during one of our First Look Friday Open House events. Here is a registration form for our First Look Friday Open House.