Thousands begin year-round school in Wake County on Monday

Tens of thousands of students across Wake County return to the classroom Monday as the new school year begins for dozens of year-round schools in the district.

For parents and students at schools such as Wilburn Elementary in Raleigh, it was a busy weekend as they made preparations to start the new year-round schedule.

At a school supply store in Raleigh, employees said they have seen a steady stream of teachers coming in, especially in the last couple of weeks.

37 elementary and middle schools in the Wake County system welcomed back students on Monday, with more than 42,000 students getting ready to begin classes.

In Holly Springs, Woods Creek Elementary School principal Jonathan Hegedus is excited to set the tone for the new school year. He said they wanted "a community of joy."

"We want our families and kids to be excited to be here, to feel comfortable and welcome," Hegedus said. "Obviously, we are here to meet the academic needs of each of our children to help them grow, and to be able to succeed in the future."

WATCH | Woods Creek parent talks about the upcoming school year

ABC11 spoke with a Woods Creek parent who said she was a little nervous. Her son went to a traditional school prior.

"So, we're not sure what the year-round is going to bring, but we're excited," she said.

Most students in the county will return on Aug. 27 for the traditional calendar start date.

The year-round system, which breaks the year down into four, nine-week quarters with three-week breaks in between, also can provide important flexibility for parents who work non-traditional schedules and allows families to take vacations at different times of the year.

On Monday morning, Wake County Superintendent Robert Taylor visited the newest year-round school, Woods Creek Elementary, to ring in the new school year.

ABC11's Jamiese Price contributed to this report.