In a growing community like Holly Springs, it's not just the number of rooftops and businesses that are increasing. Student enrollment in the county school system is also on the rise. Holly Springs staff remain in close and frequent contact with the Wake County Public School System to make sure that, as growth occurs, public schools are prepared for the influx of new students.
"Town of Holly Springs Development Services staff is in regular communication with county school system staff to discuss future school needs and to ensure school staff is kept informed of current growth and development trends in the community," said Sean Ryan, planning manager with the Town.
When new residential project developers propose building in Holly Springs, the Town requires the developers to complete the Wake County Pubic School System (WCPSS) Residential Development Form. Information gathered from the form including the anticipated number of units per year and number of bedrooms, feeds into annual growth forecasts completed by the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) and Operations Research and Education Laboratory (OREd). Both groups are partnered with the county to coordinate and project anticipate school enrollment for future years.
"In addition to Wake County and its partners gaining information directly from developers, our staff forecasts short-term and long-term growth trends for Holly Springs and shares that information with the agencies," Ryan said.
That information includes recent development applications, projects under construction, and planned near-term projects, as well as prospective and speculative developments.
The Town engages the county with long-range planning initiatives. For example, when the Town was seeking feedback for the Land & Character Plan, the plan that guides the Town growth and development, the county was a key partner and contributor.
"While Wake County provides input as these plans for future growth and development are being crafted, the final plans also provide guidance to the county for its use in assessing future school needs," Ryan said.
Coming Soon
Woods Creek Elementary near the Carolina Springs development in northwest Holly Springs is nearing completion. The school is set to welcome its first round of students this year. A future middle school also could be constructed on this site.
Schools on tap to be built include Rex Road Elementary. Located in southwest Holly Springs, the school is anticipated to open to students for the 2024 school year.
Felton Grove High School, anticipated to open in August 2025, is located off Stephenson Road in Apex, near Holly Springs Town limits.