York Elementary

5201 Brookhaven Drive

School District

Wake County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Wake County School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 20, 2025

This school needs to “clean house” starting with ALL front office staff! Next “special” education teachers.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2024

I have to agree with a previous parent's post. This school has gone downhill in the last 5 years. As someone else mentioned, "repetitive bullying, gang activity, bathroom fights in elementary school. 30+ kids per class, and most tenured teachers have retired". Everything is "handled internally" and swept under the rug. I can't stress this enough- consider other options!
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2024

Performed below WCPSS average in 11/12 academic categories, failing to meet growth expectations in each reported year since 2019 with a “C” rating.1/5 teachers being identified as “needing improvement”. 25+ kids in most classes.Bullying reports intentionally not filed & misrepresented for 4 years. In Jan 2024, a parent pulled a stolen gun on another parent in the carpool line.If you’re looking for a good education in a safe & supportive environment, look elsewhere or at minimum view the public school report cards reported by the State of North Carolina.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2024

JW York was recently rebuilt and the new facilities are great! This school is at the heart of an older, established neighborhood in Raleigh, NC and adjacent to a nature park! We've had two children attend the school and are very pleased with their academic progress during their time at JW York. The school offers a diverse student population at it serves the neighborhood and the surrounding communities. We've been very impressed with the teachers including academic, art, and physical education.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2023

Repetitive bullying, gang activity, bathroom fights in elementary school.30+ kids per class, and most tenured teachers have retired.This school went from a great school to the bottom of the barrel; and it’s a direct reflection on the current administration.We highly encourage those considering sending their child to this school to look elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2020

10/10. My daughter had a bad experience at a popular magnet elementary, and this is our base school. It's excellent.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2018

When we moved this became our new public school. I am extremely pleased compared to the other one. This school promotes a great learning opportunity to all students while also allowing them to have a personality and individualism.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2018

York continues to be a great experience for our children.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2015

Great school. Teachers are very helpful and the enviroment is friendly, and my son gets the attention needed for him to excel in school.
Submitted by other on June 12, 2015

Teachers there are very involved with each child and my child thrives in the environment there.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2015

Very small school, amazing staff. The principal Keith Richardson is very involved. It's amazing how the principal knows the students by their names, greets the students every morning. Teachers are exceptional!!! I have no complaints.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2014

York Elementary is a phenomenal school. Led by Principal Keith Richardson, teachers and staff take time to know each and every child. Every morning, he and teachers can be found greeting students by name in the lobby. A STEM school, with focus on science, technology, education and math, York will unveil its innovative outdoor learning lab and new playground in fall 2014. My child has had two excellent years at York, made possible by kind, well-educated, energized and supported teachers and staff! We are proud to be part of the York family!
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2014

Great teachers! Great parent involvement! The principal is very engaged and knows every kid by name.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2013

I have been a happy parent at York for 5 years. We are always warmly welcomed by students, active parents and teachers alike. The lovely, small school atmosphere makes our family feel at home.With two children, each has very different personalities, strengths and challenges. Both of them have been met in a unique and wonderful manner. Academics is very important to us. Social and emotional development are, as well. York challenges all these areas in a multitude of areas ensuring our kids our challenged and enriched. This school has an incredible PTA that works really hard at making a positive impact on everyone that walks through the school doors.
Submitted by other on September 04, 2012

My grandson has been at York for 3 years. This is a great school tucked in a beautiful neighborhood. The teachers there are awesome and do a lot to inspire the kids. We work closely with his teachers as he has ADHD and the team spirit is great. They are supportive, communicative, and always have time for meetings. They challenge these students in a fun environment and always make the kids feel important in their learning environment. They make it their mission to get to know the kids. It is also a very safe environment. I cannot say enough good about this school.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2012

Our two children love this school. They entered two years ago and have received amazing affirmation, support, and encouragement. They are excited to go to school each day and even say they miss school during break. The school's attention to their particular learning needs and challenges has been amazing. We are deeply grateful for the experience they have had here.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2012

I am a parent of a first grader, and I can't say enough about how happy we are with our experience at York!! The new STEM curriculum and the new principal have made a good school a GREAT SCHOOL. I am very impressed with teachers and the different techniques they use to teach each child. They really do make learning fun, my daughter can't wait to come home and tell me about her day. I truly love being part of the York family.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2012

York Elementary is a sweet little school and has established itself as high-performing and fun-loving all at the same time. The excellent teachers and leadership drive the school to be great, but all it takes is a quick look around and you will see that the kids are really happy. We have 2 children at the school and can't say it's always been that way, but at present, we couldn't be more pleased. The kids are challenged at just the right level and rate, and there is a lot of positive support. The proof is in the pudding with the terrific test scores from last year--out performing peer schools in the area. The size of the school is just right and allows for the kids and staff to get to know the kids. If York is a choice school for you, you really can't do better!
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2012

York is having an excellent year in 2011-2012. I have two children there, and have to say that this year is the best yet. Key changes include: a) York is now a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) School, meaning they have lots of themed curriculum at all grade levels. There is a part-time STEM coordinator who helps teachers implement STEM resources in their classrooms, and we also have an ipad card for each grade. Each cart contains 30 ipads full of apps the teachers have selected to enhance what they are doing in the classroom. York also has STEM nights, STEM Expos, Science Fairs, Science EdVentures, and field trips. b) The new principal is very good. He leads by example, listens to parents and teachers, and has gained the respect of everyone associated with York in a very short amount of time. c) Enrollment is up. Right now, in January 2012, the enrollment is at 530 students. d) The PTA is thriving. Fundraising has been great this year, and teacher s grant requests, media center requests, the Fifth Grade Sound to Sea Overnight requests have all been funded. e) The excellent, seasoned teachers were, and still are, the best thing about this school.