Exploris

Raleigh, NC 27601

Phone: (919) 715-3690
Fax: (919) 715-2042
District: Exploris Middle School District

9

GreatSchools Rating

charter • Grades K-8 • 447 students

Exploris, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a charter school that serves grades K-8. It is among the few schools in North Carolina to receive a distinguished GreatSchools Rating of 9 out of 10.

Exploris is a charter school located in Raleigh, NC. 447 students attend Exploris.

School Ratings

Category Rating Details
Test Scores 7/10 The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Course Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Student Growth 2/10 The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2024 Student growth data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Posted: August 21, 2026

Posted: August 21, 2026

Posted: August 21, 2026

Posted: August 21, 2026

Posted: August 21, 2026

I would not recommend any parent send their child to this school. My daughter and niece were both there in 6th grade but my brother was smart and took my niece out immediately. My daughter started her 7th grade year there and I could not let her keep attending that school after only 4 days. The teachers are incompetent and they enable other children’s bad behavior. Do not send your children here.

Posted: August 21, 2026

Posted: August 21, 2026

Posted: August 18, 2026

Posted: August 18, 2026

Posted: August 18, 2026

Posted: August 18, 2026

Posted: August 18, 2026

Posted: August 18, 2026

Exploris did not follow safety or learning for our children and they were/are not prepared academically. Exploris counselors did not help with IEP issues or behavior issues that were coming from another student and students parents directed toward one of our children. The dismissiveness from the Head of HR to the Board of Directors was appalling. We were very involved with Exploris for several years from volunteering countless hours to teaching on 'teacher off' days to participating on the various committees. The lack of addressing issues to the treatment from a community that we had committed to thoroughly is not the image of Exploris School shows to others. We never expected to be left without support and ostracized when Exploris didn’t want to address their failings.

Posted: August 18, 2026

Posted: August 18, 2026

Posted: March 26, 2026

Posted: March 26, 2026

Posted: March 26, 2026

Posted: March 26, 2026

Posted: March 26, 2026

Posted: March 26, 2026

We have had nothing but a positive experience at Exploris over the past three years. The teachers and staff are incredibly caring and thoughtful, especially when it comes to supporting children through big emotions. They recognized when my girls needed extra help and made sure they received it, which meant so much to us.

Because of this supportive environment, my girls have gained valuable experiences and grown in confidence. They truly look forward to going to school each day, which speaks volumes about the community at Exploris.

Posted: March 26, 2026

Posted: March 26, 2026

Posted: February 20, 2026

Posted: February 20, 2026

Posted: February 20, 2026

Posted: February 20, 2026

Posted: February 20, 2026

Posted: February 20, 2026

We went to Exploris for 2 years and left in the 25/26 school year. We should've left after Kindergarten after multiple physical endangerments but I thought each incident was a "one off" and could've happened anywhere. I realize now that it is not normal to pick up your child from school, crying and bleeding, with no phone call.

We stuck it out for 1st grade and things were better than K (emotionally) but my final straw was seeing the rats that live under the elementary trailers.

I love the concept of Exploris and do think most of the teachers care about the kids. Hopefully they will be able to have an adequate building one day and have better procedures in place.

It's worth noting that they have a raffle for $50 gift cards for positive reviews and that is why there are so many reviews for the beginning of 2026.

Posted: February 20, 2026

Posted: February 20, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

My child transferred into the middle school in seventh grade, and Exploris has been SO good for him: academically, socially, and in terms of his executive function. In just a few months, he has grown so much more independent and he comes home every day happy and talkative.

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Exploris Middle School is a wonderfully diverse and inclusive public charter school. For families and/or students who live beyond historic social norms, this is a wonder school to be understood, supported, seen, and encouraged to be your authentic and emerging self.

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: February 4, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: January 22, 2026

The Exploris School has exceeded our expectations in so many ways. Their project-based learning model keeps kids actively engaged, and the curriculum goes far beyond textbooks, it emphasizes critical thinking, global citizenship, and hands-on experiences. The teachers are passionate and responsive, and they truly take the time to understand each student’s strengths and needs.
The school also places a big emphasis on social-emotional learning, which has made a noticeable difference in our child's confidence and communication skills. Fieldwork, community partnerships, and real-world exploration make the learning experience unique and memorable.
Exploris is a special place, and we feel lucky to be part of this community!

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

My 2nd grader and 4th grader have been at Exploris since the beginning of this school year. I cannot say enough good things about this school, the teachers, the community and the joy that they have brought my daughters. My kids love being able to explore Raleigh and through project based learning spark interest in not only math and English, but also environmental awareness, compassion, and relationships with others. Every time I pick my kids up they are so excited telling me about what awesome things they did that day. The entire staff knows both my kids and myself by name. I would highly recommend Exploris to anyone.

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

My oldest two children went through Exploris Middle School and both were deeply saddened that they did not have a high school. My youngest has been at the elementary school for 4 years now and is super excited to go to their middle school. All 3 of my children have/had IEPs/504s and we loved the outdoor time, movement, hands-on learning and computer work that were built in...all things we likely would have had to ask for in accommodations for them in another school, on some level. The teachers are so incredibly amazing, my kids love the relationships they have built with them as well as their classmates. We chose Exploris in part due to their world view and social impact but have been impressed with how happy my children have been there, as this was not always the case in their previous schools. I love being able to be a part of their schooling and walking and driving for field trips all over town and the state. While no school is perfect, Exploris has been perfect for our family.

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

We have two kids at The Exploris School (one in kindergarten and one in 3rd grade), and we’ve had a really positive experience. The community feels welcoming and diverse, and the school does a great job creating an environment where kids feel known and included.

What we appreciate most is the hands-on, experiential approach. Our kids come home talking about what they learned, not just what worksheet they did. We’ve also loved the Explorations opportunities, which give students a chance to try different interests and build confidence outside the usual classroom routine.

We’ve found teachers to be caring and responsive, and communication has been solid. No school is perfect, but overall we’re grateful to be part of Exploris and would recommend it to families looking for an engaging, project-based learning environment.

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

We have loved The Exploris School. All of the teachers I have met have been absolutely wonderful and dedicated. My daughter is so excited to go to school every day and my son who will be in kindergarten next year is excited to start school there. My daughter is very advanced with reading and she has never been bored. My son might be a little behind with reading/letters and I have no question that he is going to thrive in this environment as well. I don't think I would feel that way at any other school.

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: January 21, 2026

Posted: July 17, 2025

Posted: July 17, 2025

Posted: July 17, 2025

Posted: July 17, 2025

Posted: July 17, 2025

Posted: July 17, 2025

This school opened our daughter's eyes to so many new things, I wouldn't even know where to begin. The teachers and staff are beyond compare and made not only our daughter feel welcome in their little community, but also us as parents too! To have a school align so well with your hopes for your child is rare, but we got lucky.

Posted: July 17, 2025

Posted: July 17, 2025

Posted: February 27, 2025

Posted: February 27, 2025

Posted: February 27, 2025

Posted: February 27, 2025

Posted: February 27, 2025

Exploris has it all: academic excellence, social and emotional support and learning, and a real community.

Posted: February 27, 2025

Posted: February 27, 2025

Posted: February 27, 2025

Posted: January 31, 2025

Posted: January 31, 2025

Posted: January 31, 2025

Posted: January 31, 2025

Our children have absolutely thrived at the elementary campus since they started at The Exploris School! The smaller setting ensures every child is know by all of the staff and that the whole school truly functions as one community instead of just as a grade. Our kids are doing well socially, academically, and really love getting out into the local community for learning experiences beyond the classroom.

Posted: January 31, 2025

Posted: January 31, 2025

Posted: January 31, 2025

Posted: January 19, 2025

Posted: January 19, 2025

Posted: January 19, 2025

Posted: January 19, 2025

Posted: January 19, 2025

I am a teacher (at a different school) myself, and Exploris has been exactly the experience for us that we hoped it would be. My child is excited to go to school each day, has formed positive relationships with all of their teachers, and is being encouraged to grow and develop their curiosity and critical thinking. Obviously the facilities are probably not what we would choose if given a choice, but they make them work. The outdoor space provides them a lot of additional experiences and I've been glad to see that they use it.

Posted: January 19, 2025

Posted: January 19, 2025

Posted: January 19, 2025

Posted: August 11, 2024

Posted: August 11, 2024

Posted: August 11, 2024

Posted: August 11, 2024

Posted: August 11, 2024

Posted: August 11, 2024

Posted: August 11, 2024

Posted: August 11, 2024

After several years supporting the school we left from gross negligence and prejudice by the administrators. The principals and counselors for the Elementary and Middle School do not help students with issues in learning. The lack of support from bullying and IEP status is so bad that parents leave. The school takes the students out for ‘field trips’ that are simply walking around Nash Square. Our children were not prepared for high school.

Posted: January 16, 2024

Posted: January 16, 2024

Posted: January 16, 2024

Posted: January 16, 2024

Posted: January 16, 2024

My child has been at Exploris for a couple of years, and we have been extremely pleased. I love the great lengths that the school tasks to involve parents. I feel like they go out of their way to meet each student where they are, which would be more difficult in a larger environment. It seems like students who are excelling are provided more opportunities and students who need extra support are given that support. The beauty of living in Wake County is the many choices for public schooling, so I realize this is not a model that may be appealing to everyone. Still, overall, I think it is appealing to the many different families who have selected it.

Posted: January 16, 2024

Posted: January 16, 2024

Posted: January 16, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

This is the first year for my kids at Exploris and we have felt supported, appreciated, and encouraged. The culture at this school is amazing, the kids have a well rounded education experience and learn that community is bigger than self.

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 12, 2024

Posted: January 9, 2024

Posted: January 9, 2024

Posted: January 9, 2024

Posted: January 9, 2024

Posted: January 9, 2024

Exploris has been a huge blessing. My son loves to learn and explore . He has been very supported with all his needs emotionally and academically .

Posted: January 9, 2024

Posted: January 9, 2024

Posted: January 9, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

I am writing to express my utmost gratitude and satisfaction with Exploris Middle School, where my sixth-grade son recently began his educational journey. Since becoming part of the Exploris family, we have been impressed with the school's commitment to fostering a holistic and enriching learning environment.

From the very first day, it was evident that Exploris values academic excellence and each student's overall growth and development. The dedication of the teachers and staff to creating a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere has made the transition for my son seamless and enjoyable. Their genuine enthusiasm for education is infectious, and it's heartening to see them inspire a love for learning in every child.

The unique approach to education at Exploris is genuinely refreshing. The emphasis on project-based learning engages students on a deeper level and encourages critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. My son has come home countless times excitedly sharing his latest projects and discoveries, a testament to the school's ability to make learning meaningful and fun.

One of the standout aspects of Exploris is its commitment to environmental sustainability and global awareness. It's impressive to see how the school seamlessly integrates these values into the curriculum, instilling in our children a sense of responsibility and empathy for the world around them. The hands-on experiences and field trips have broadened my son's perspective, making him more aware of his role in the global community.

The communication between the school and parents is exceptional. Regular updates, parent-teacher conferences, and the staff's willingness to promptly address any once made us feel connected and involved in our child's education. Exploris values the partnership between parents and educators in shaping each student's best possible learning experience.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Exploris Middle School to any parent seeking an exceptional educational experience for their child. The positive impact the school has had on my son's academic and personal growth in such a short time is truly remarkable. Exploris is not just a school; it's a community that nurtures a love for learning, creativity, and social responsibility. We are grateful to be part of the Exploris family and look forward to our child's continued success and growth under their guidance.

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

We started with Exploris in the 20/21 school year so our first year was online for the most part. Being part of a small school, Exploris was able to easily maneuver challenges that we were all facing during this time.
I was very pleased with the school and my daughter (still in public school) was so impressed with my son’s school that she was excited to go the following year. This is our fourth year at the school and I can’t imagine being back in the public school setting.

I think the goal in school is for kids to actually learn and be excited about learning. For our family, hands-on learning has been very effective. For example, instead of learning about streams in a science book your student will get to to go out in a canoe/kayak and collect samples and study streams hands-on. This is just one of the many examples.

Having a daughter who has had to learn to navigate friendships as a 5th, 6th grader the counselors have been very supportive and have help guide these young students, who are at a very hard age, build strong positive relationships. Is there ever bullying? Of course. Where there are imperfect things little humans there will be bullying. Exploris is very aware of these incidences and does help handle these situations with those involved. They do not take bullying lightly.

Overall, Exploris has been a great fit for both of my kids and I am so grateful to have this experience!

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

Posted: January 8, 2024

We are a new family to Exploris this school year (23/24) and have been blown away by their model for learning . It amazes me the opportunities that these kids are given and also makes me wonder why every school cannot do the same. My child is learning life skills, navigating downtown by foot, real world problem solving skills and also academics. We are thrilled to be a part of the Exploris family

Posted: January 2, 2024

Our family has been very happy with our experience at Exploris Elementary School. The faculty is excellent, our child is excited about attending school and is consistently and continually learning. I love the emphasis on family/parent/community involvement in explorations and community circle; the school is structured in a way to leverage community resources and keep parents involved. Exploris is a small school (one large class per grade at the K-5 level) and it can be a hectic place when viewed from a parent's perspective. We actually really love this: the chaos is part in parcel with pedagogical experimentation and continual introspection and improvement. That said, the dynamicism may not be everyone's cup of tea.

One thing that I've noticed is that the school seems to go to great lengths to engage with and serve students that have special needs, especially in terms of emotional support. I suspect that students that would be set aside in regular public schools or pushed out in private schools and other public charters are allowed to continue to engage in their classroom. On the one hand, this is extremely laudable: kids grow up, and we need to serve them and support them as early as possible. On the other hand, it is possible that they could be disruptive in classroom settings as the school gets a handle on how to support these students. Because of the single class per grade level at the elementary school, there may be no escaping a particular disruption. This is an important factor to weigh if you are considering Exploris as an option for your child. Exploris has also made strides to improve representation/diversity amongst the less privileged by creating a partially weighted lottery system in favor of some students coming from lower income families. While the lottery is otherwise unweighted, I think this is a forward-minded policy as the lack of a school transportation system (buses) otherwise weights enrollment towards students whose parents can easily provide transportation.

I would like to reiterate that our experience with Exploris has been wonderful. Our child is presently enrolled at the school and loving it. Exploris has a well-deserved good reputation in the community, and we look forward to many more years at the school.

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: June 6, 2023

You give up all the resources you would get from WCPSS - for nothing - there is no benefit to going here. It’s a big mess. Just give your base a try, and apply for magnets! Our child did not learn anything at exploris, they cried all the time, and we did not feel they were safe there.

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: June 6, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

I will present you with factual events so you can decide what is best for your child. Please note we as a family had to endure this:
-For field trips, buses are NOT provided, parents (unknown if they had been cleared to transport the children) volunteer to drive the children using their personal cars
-electives are mainly parent volunteers which is a disadvantage when parents aren’t able to continue
-the school is short staff which the children suffer academically
-they don’t follow the IDEA protocol which hinders the child to receive the necessary services in a timely manner
-The director is unprofessional when parents are expressing concerns or address an issue
-The director reported that she has enough people enrolling which makes it seem that are concerns should be taken else where.
-inappropriate events happen during school hours or activities (physical aggression towards a child during an after school activity, harassment during school)
-It’s hard to get a good picture on how your child is doing due to the lack of proper documentation. Test scores don’t match the progress
-concerns that need immediate attention that requires parents attention is minimized
-the grievance process is FAKE. They won’t even address the request made.

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: January 24, 2023

Posted: January 24, 2023

Posted: January 24, 2023

Posted: January 24, 2023

Posted: January 24, 2023

The students run the school. If this is something you are looking for this is the school for you. Complete chaos is a great tag like for Exploris. Staff has no clue what is going on. Things are hidden from parents, board members and others so they can seem like a “great school” and continue to get new students where if y anyone were to view the roster they would see students are quickly transferring out as fast as they can.


*In my experience, students at this school feel excited about what they're learning >DISAGREE<

* In my experience, teachers at this school are respectful, supportive, and motivate their students to learn >DISAGREE<

* This school provides students with disabilities the support and accommodations they require >DISAGREE<

*In my experience, this school provides an environment safe from violence, discrimination, and harsh punishment. >DISAGREE<

* In my experience, the school welcomes and includes families as partners in their children's learning >DISAGREE<

You don’t believe me, attend and you’ll find out.

Posted: January 24, 2023

Posted: January 24, 2023

Posted: January 24, 2023

Posted: January 13, 2023

The administrative staff is unprofessional. Electives are only on Fridays, yet sometimes the "volunteer" staff or staff do not provide the lesson; therefore, the students have to finish any assigned work that they weren't able to finish. Furthermore, most flex days are on Fridays... The structure of the school is a disadvantage to the child. They have flex day- "Work from home". The students are responsible to do class work at home for those days; and, lecture nor guidance is provided for those days for the children. Its difficult for the parents who is working to be on top of their assignments. Another huge issue is the lack of diversity and the bullying the children receive in this school. I have received more emails from administrative staff about "not tolerating bullying", yet I hear about it and actually seen it among the students. No appropriate action is taken to mitigate this concern. I strongly do not recommend this school.

Posted: January 13, 2023

Posted: October 16, 2019

Some unprofessional administrative staff. I cant imagine the intra staff and student exchanges. Professional cultures are a reflection of the personas that make it up and operate it.

Posted: October 16, 2019

Posted: October 16, 2019

Posted: October 16, 2019

Posted: October 16, 2019

Posted: October 16, 2019

Posted: October 16, 2019

Posted: April 20, 2018

I feel that some of the teachers at this school really help the students to learn and succeed in what they're are doing. The reason I say that some of the teachers is because I feel that the 6+ teacher and the Algebra 1 teachers at this school could be better. In 6th grade, I remember that whenever I needed help the teacher was very bad at explaining things, and I had to get other students to explain it to me or figure it out myself. I do not know if they have changed the teachers or the way of teaching since last year, but this is what it was like when I was in 6th grade. In my Algebra 1 course, the teachers are not very good at actually teaching, and the class of 30 something students is all in agreement about this. What the teachers do is badly teach us the concept of what we're learning, give us several textbook pages to complete, and then give us a test. I am good at teaching myself and I am able to teach the other students around me, but some students need extra help to grasp the concept. If you are not good at teaching yourself math from the textbook (which could be better), then the higher level math classes are not for you. In ELA I feel that the teachers are really good and effective at teaching these concepts, or maybe they are just overall easier to grasp. For Global Cultures (kind of social studies) we get a project requirement sheet at the beginning of each trimester (we do trimesters instead of semesters) and just lets us go off on our own. He does not teach us anything, this is because he expects us to do it ourselves. This may help us learn responsibility, but I feel like having a real teacher is more effective than just doing online research for one presentation on Russia. For foreign languages, we work on a free website called Duolingo. Our grades are based on how much XP we get that trimester, and how many notes we have in our language. Throughout 6th and 7th grade we are required to take 6 different languages (Spanish, German, French, Latin, Mandarin, and Japanese). In 8th grade, we get to choose which language we want to focus on and complete the Duolingo or Rosetta Stone course for said language. Our last class is Expedition (which is basically science), I feel the teachers are pretty good at teaching this class, but once again a large portion of the work is online.

Posted: April 20, 2018

I have seen bullying at this school, but I have almost never seen any teachers interfere with the bullying. The one time I did see a teacher interfere was when the victim told the teacher. In this school, there is a strong teacher-student bond, or at least in my class. Even with this bond, I have not seen many students tell teachers about bullying. I think this might be because the students are all like a big "family", and nobody wants everybody to turn on them, which can happen if you do something the popular students don't like. However, despite this, I think that the bullying at this school is very low compared to other schools. Our school is also very against bullying and will do anything to prevent it, they just need to know about it. In my class at least the biggest thing I've seen bullying for; is differences from the "norm" and LGBT students. One student was bullied by her friend group after coming out as Bi, and a trans student has been purposefully misgendered several times.

Posted: April 20, 2018

I would rate MY overall experience at this school 4 stars. It's not the best school ever, but it is very good. I like the curriculum, and way of teaching at this school much better than at a public school. Here at Exploris, we also do lots of hands-on activities, we go outside a lot (we have lunch at Nash Square twice a week in 7th grade), and the field trips are amazing. At this school, we go on one really expensive field trip every year. This field trip is overnight and usually at a campsite. I think it's totally worth it because our field trips are always so much fun. My favorite field-trip/the one I'm most excited about is that in 8th grade we get to go on outward bound. Outward bound, from my understanding, is backpacking in the mountains for a week. You have to clean your own water, sleep under a tarp on the ground, spend a week in the wilderness, and go rock climbing. I don't know about other people, but I am looking forward to this trip. It is mandatory, and like $900, but the school provides kids with the opportunities to raise the money themselves and I think it's totally worth it. Anyway... my overall experience at Exploris has been great and I definitly would recomend it to other families.

Posted: April 20, 2018

As a student in the 7th grade that has been going to this school for 2 years, I can say that I have not gotten very much homework. Some students and/or parents may view this as a good thing, but I see it as a disadvantage when comparing the workload of this school to other schools. Because I am getting little homework compared to my friends that go to public schools, I am less prepared for the high school workload and have worse time-management skills than them. I feel that the amount of homework I get at this school is similar to the amount of homework I got in 4th and 5th grade, which is an hour on average. The only homework we will usually get is unfinished classwork, 30 mins of reading (which the teachers never check), and 30 mins or less of math homework. The math homework I get in the Algebra 1 course is textbook problems or online work in the form of Khan Academy. This is the average workload in 7th grade for me. In 6th grade, I remember getting very little homework. On average, the only homework I would get is a weekly math worksheet for 6+, and a weekly 1 hour of an online math program (Think Through Math). Because I am in a math class with 8th-grade students I frequently listen to them complain about their amount of homework (Too much), and miscommunications about their homework with the teachers. I feel like 8th grade is when they start to really hammer down on the "high school preparedness". However, I have not yet been to 8th grade, and do not know how good or bad the workload really is.

Posted: July 8, 2016

Posted: July 8, 2016

Posted: July 8, 2016

Posted: July 8, 2016

My daughter joined the newly formed Exploris Elementary School and now has completed 1st and 2nd Grade. Her learning has been IMMENSE. They cover all the basics- reading and math performing well above grade level, but they take it much further. They team them about community, making a difference in the world. Design for change. Project Management and Presentation skills. While doing this they are having FUN. Awesome teachers, awesome school, awesome administration. A school with a a community feel. Our family is extremely grateful to be a part of this school.

Posted: May 14, 2016

Many of the teachers are wonderful: particularly the 6th grade team and most of the 7th grade team. The seventh grade has struggled with significant teacher turnover in the past three years, which makes team teaching difficult. The of educational experience of training of some teacher make them less able to reach some students.

Posted: May 14, 2016

There is almost not homework. If the student is one of the lucky few to get in advance math there is a little more, but only in math. A few years ago the school started making the kids do their homework at school (taking up class time). Teachers commented that some of the students were working too much with parents to complete the assignments. What homework there is now is busy work using online tools.

Posted: May 14, 2016

No, the school is significantly based on group projects and it is common for good students to contribute more of the work while others coast. The teachers don't provide enough team management, project instruction or supervision so it's impossible to tell who contributes to the end product. When students are dishonest they learn that nothing will happen so they continue to do as they please.

Posted: May 14, 2016

The school doesn't have the basic resources of a standard public school: no text books are used, just internet based research with little or no teacher guidance. The kids are learning math with online tools like Khan and Think Through Math. There is no attention given to advanced students. Often the resulting work product contains scientifically invalid evidence because there is no effort to build from core principles. Students learn that they don't have to work hard because they will just be given a retest as many times as they like to get the grade they want. The STEM and NC Green school distinction is baseless because they don't implement the programs on which these awards were founded.

Posted: May 4, 2016

My child enjoys what he is learning and feels like he is part of the world around him. I think that is effective teaching.

Posted: March 1, 2016

Posted: March 1, 2016

Posted: March 1, 2016

Posted: March 1, 2016

Exploris is no different than a public school. The only advantage is that you do not have discipline issues and they think out of the box. It is core curriculum based; very little homework and they take a lot of field trips. A majority of the teachers are VERY average and wait until the report card comes out to report issues with your child. There are no mid-term reports. Communication with parents is a BIG issue and remains an issue. The principle is not engaged with the students and teachers and spends her time trying to find money to support the school. The teachers are not being held accountable for their performance and behavior. If a teacher goes out due to health reasons they do not get replaced with a sub. My child had a teacher out for 1/2 of the year x2 years leaving the ratio being truly 32:1. I honestly believe my child would be a different student right now if this had not happened. It really is a shame because it has loads of potential but it always boils down to the money. My child is an average to an above average student, well behaved, friendly and sweet but just as it is in public school, he flies under the radar.

Posted: December 13, 2015

Posted: December 13, 2015

Posted: December 13, 2015

Posted: December 13, 2015

The teachers and the staff at Explores are all focused on delivering a truly engaging educational experience for each child. The project-based learning model prepares students for the real-world challenges they will face in their future. Every child should be educated this way!

Posted: November 12, 2015

There isn't just one answer for this. One year, my son had way too much homework, while this year it seems to be light. So, I think it depends on the teacher.

Posted: November 12, 2015

Exploris is great in concept, but doesn't execute. Some of the teachers & staff do seem to care, but overall our experience with the school has been abysmal. Perhaps it is that we have been there while they have been expanding to include the elementary school.

Posted: November 12, 2015

Posted: November 12, 2015

Posted: October 6, 2015

The teachers work together so well and come up with exciting ways for the students to learn.

Posted: October 6, 2015

The homework has never been overwhelming. I appreciate the option to log on to websites for practice as well.

Posted: October 6, 2015

They don't even have lockers.. Only hooks in the hallway. Students are very respectful of other students property!

Posted: October 6, 2015

This school has been amazing for our children! We have one in elementary, one in middle, and one who is in high school after attending Exploris for middle school. Our high school kid is doing SO well and was VERY prepared for 9th grade! These teachers are so caring and willing to help before/after school if needed. The students are so nice to each other and to adults as well. Very respectful and they are very proud of the school they attend. My children are thrilled to go to school each day and always have a smile when I pick them up. They are also being challenged each day. There were over 1300 applicants and only 72 seats available for the 2015/16 school year. Everyone is starting to realize what an amazing school this is! So thankful to be a part of this wonderful school.

Posted: August 21, 2015

Some teachers were much better than others. A couple were a real problem for us and did not want to work with our needs.

Posted: August 21, 2015

6th grade was okay, a little heavy but not too bad, it started to get too much in 7th and 8th grade was way too much.

Posted: August 21, 2015

They did not address bullying sufficiently and this is an aspect of these character traits. We also had situations were teachers lied and it was frustrating.

Posted: August 21, 2015

Middle school Troubles: We had a great experience for 6th grade but we're not happy with the changes that happened in 7th and 8th, PE became yoga class, there were much less off campus opportunities, there was bullying, and the academic topics were obscure and didn't prepare the students well for high school. The way they taught high school math 1 and 2 was very confusing , we finally left part way through 8th grade so we could make sure our child was academically prepared for high school. We were glad we did and our high school transition went much smoother after studying the right topics in 8th grade.

Posted: March 29, 2015

We have a 2nd and 4th grader in the Exploris elementary school and we absolutely love it! The enthusiasm and creativity that the teachers bring to the classroom is amazing. They make the subjects relevant by combining all learning areas under one theme. I regularly get emails from my kids' teachers on the weekend and in the evenings, that's how dedicated the staff is. My kids are learning so many things without feeling like they just have to cram things down. Don't get me wrong, the program is rigorous and given that the elementary school is new, they are also working very hard at also getting the kids to the same level at some of the underlying fundamentals. One of the most important aspects for our family is how much emphasis is put on collaboration and the social and emotional development of the children. The elementary school has a whole school community circle for 30+ minutes every Friday where they share in their successes, make little presentations and give each other praise on an individual level for things well done, even if they are just small acts of kindness. We can't wait to sign our third child up for K in the 2016 school year.

Posted: March 24, 2015

"Mom, I had no idea school could be like this. They trick us into learning by making it fun and real."

Posted: November 13, 2014

Exploris has been a BLESSING for my son. My son is in the 5th grade, (first year for the Exploris elementary school) and he is thriving! His teacher is AWESOME, Katie makes him feel as though he has value and he says she's one of the best teachers he's ever had. He says his teacher and class are like a second family, I've never heard him say that about his teachers or even his classmates before. Exploris is a hands on learning environment and there's something special about the way the teach, my child remembers what he's learned. Exploris teaches their students about what it means to be part of a community, which is very important since this message is not really taught in the traditional public schools. These lessons have made my son become more self-confident (which he hasn't been for a couple of years) and he's excelling in his studies. It says a lot to me as a parent to see my child happy and excited about learning!

Posted: September 28, 2014

Exploris is a project-based schools that offers students opportunities to explore the world through their studies, projects, communication with community members, and interaction with international partners. The teachers incorporate global information into most subject areas and encourage engagement in the community. Academic achievement is high and challenging for students of all levels. Finally, the need to respect the environment and those living in it is emphasized at Exploris.

Posted: September 27, 2014

This school is the worst school i have ever been to.it is like elementary school.They have a chubby that is a square. And they have a hook to put there book bags on. each grade has two class rooms. there are four teachers for each grade. That means that there are 30 kids in a class room.they only have art and p.e. But they call there P.E wellness because they don't have a gym.They have a basement which they panted green and blue waves . They make the kids bring there lunch because they don't have a lunch room or provide lunch for the kids.they kids have to ride a city bus to get to school the bus would pick up and drop the kids of at places like stores for their parents to pick them up. the kids still go play outside. in the parking lot for the school because they don't have a play ground. the kids there are bad roll molds. I will never go back to that school because it was the worst place i have ever went to!!!!!!!

Posted: December 2, 2013

I love this school! I love that my child has friends of all different abilities and has learned to be compassionate and kind to all. My child is shy and Exploris has offered him the space to bloom. The teachers make time to talk to individual students about their own needs and goals, which makes all the learning very personal and real to my child. The students get real world experiences, by doing volunteering out of the school on a weekly basis. Field trips are a regular occurrence and the students seem to feel connected the the downtown community. I love it!

Posted: December 1, 2013

Good: loved the teachers, as in our public school experience. Inclusive environment for those with behavioral issues, disabilities. Estimate to 2/3 of students in my child s class, likely have diagnoses. Liked recreational sports. Our child is happy, settled. Have not seen any incidents of bullying. Racially diverse, not economically diverse. Bad: academically, our child has declined significantly. EOG dropped 40 points for reading (compared to every prior year in school). Safety: 0 out of 5 stars. No routine background checks on staff until Sept 2013 when the law forced this change. There are no checks, policy, or monitoring at all for volunteers (any adult can drive/coach, no drivers license, insurance proof, no monitoring). Charters do not have buses so parents/volunteers drive the kids to everything. Your child is placed with people you do not know, at times you do not know. There is no policy/guidelines for absence due to illness, making up homework, sign in/out for appointments. Very basic standards/policies to run a school are not in place. No centralized planner to follow (like Blackboard) on what is due when. Would not have chosen Exploris, if we had to do again.

Posted: September 10, 2013

Exploris has been a wonderful educational experience for my child. Teachers set high expectations for the students, and create support systems to help students achieve the expectations. Skills learned in core classes are reinforced with theme projects which students work on as a group, and as an individual. I love the fact that community services and being a citizen in a global world is emphasized along with critical thinking. Giving more children an opportunity to experience this type of education would be a great improvement.

Posted: September 10, 2013

I love going to Exploris. The teachers are there to help you, and they are there to talk to you. The students there are so nice and accept you no matter what you like or what you wear. Exploris is all about learning hands on and working together. Almost every week all the crews/homerooms will get together and work on something that will let the students get to know each other better and give them a chance to talk to other people. Exploris is not the type of school that get students ready just to pass a test, but they make sure that their students learn and take what they learn with them.

Posted: September 9, 2013

I have two children, an 8th grade boy and a 7th grade girl, and I have volunteered a lot during the years my kids have attended Exploris. Our family love the atmosphere of the school. Th teachers are great and are exceptionally on top of what is going on with the students. I have see a huge improvement in my children's academics and I consider the quality of the teacher and the attention they pay to be the driving factor in that improvement. I also love the pro-active approach the school takes to eliminate bullying. My son was bullied in elementary school despite the best efforts of the school's staff. He has experienced zero problems at Exploris. We also love the fact there is a dog at school and the incredible opportunities for cool field trips and really interesting service learning. Exploris is really just the coolest school I know. Not so great points.... The building isn't ideal. It would be wonderful to have a quieter, larger space for the students.

Posted: February 6, 2013

Exploris is an overall great school. I enjoy going there every day. It is so unique in the way it teaches and shapes its students. The teachers are so much fun and involved with their students. They offer excellent academics. This is a small school, with a small student body. It is so much fun because you become friends with everyone. The only tiny flaw I have noticed (coming from a regular public middle school) is that there are a few gaps in the 'social studies' and science curriculum. The classes are different from a regular school. :)

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1 Hedingham Neighborhood/Subdivision Raleigh NC 5.9 mi
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1 Princeton Princeton NC 34.8 mi
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