Partnership Elementary in Raleigh | Military Town Advisor

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	8/10	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	9/10	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: October 31, 2025

We have been at Partnership since 2021 and we absolutely love this school! Its small, personal, and truly embodies its Interactive Community magnet theme in every way. My kids are happy, comfortable, and genuinely enjoy coming to school each day. The teachers and staff know each student by name and make every family feel welcome and supported. I really feel like part of a family here its such a special place!

Posted: October 31, 2025

Posted: September 27, 2024

My son attended partnership from 1st - 5th grades when the school was first opened. I am circling back to write a review about this little gem of a school. Our objective with our son was for him to hopefully love learning, and have a positive experience in school. Sadly our base school did not provide this with large class sizes beginning in 1st grade. When his lunch was taken and thrown away because his lunch account was empty; we're good for the money, and at the first of the year as systems were getting set up, they forgot to stamp his hand to let me know his account was low ... nothing was online then, but this was a dealbreaker for us and my son began complaining he didn't want to go to school. When I found Partnership Elementary, I know he would thrive there, and he did! Teacher were hands on, and the school was small enough that all teachers knew all of the children. The quality of teaching was excellent! My son was academically gifted, and they challenged him by meeting him where he was, and moving forward from there. The positive experience at Partnership, in all manners, was lifesaving for his love of learning. He went on to Lufkin, then Panther Creek, UNC-CH, and Harvard. I give credit to all of the wonderful staff and teachers at Partnership Elementary for preparing him to be his best, and love learning. You can't go wrong with this small school.

Posted: September 27, 2024

Posted: February 6, 2023

If you are reading this review, you are most likely like me, and researching all the schools and trying to find what will be the best fit for you and your child. If you are like me, youve toured all the schools and asked all the questions. Well if you are also like me, you want to hear from current families to learn about their experiences.
So, here we goI truly love this school! It has such heart and delivers a sense of family and community. I knew my child would thrive and she has! It doesnt have all the bells and whistles that some of the other schools may have but what it does have is that each child is loved and supported. They are seen, they are heard and they are known.
We are incredibly proud to be a Partnership Pioneers and love our teachers who spark joy and empower curious minds to question the world around them. This is school is truly a hidden gem.

Posted: February 6, 2023

We joined the Partnership family as older students, moving from our base school, and couldn't be happier with our choice! My children have excelled in the loving, supportive environment that the teachers, staff, students and parents nurture. The class size makes all the difference in the ability to manage the classroom and really understand what each child needs in order to succeed.

I love the fact that the school uses the Responsive Classroom Model and teaches Zones of Regulation.

No one school will be the best fit for all families, but Partnership has been wonderful for ours!

Posted: February 6, 2023

I have had the privilege of having my child attend Partnership for the past two years and I can confidently say that it has been one of the best experiences for my child. The teachers at this school truly go above and beyond in making sure that each and every student feels valued and supported in their learning journey.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to our education system, but Partnership did an incredible job in handling the transition to virtual school. From the moment the decision was made to switch to virtual learning, they were well prepared and organized, making the transition seamless as possible for both students and parents.

From the moment my child stepped into the classroom, they felt welcomed and part of a larger community. The teachers take the time to get to know each student and understand their individual needs and strengths, which has helped my child feel confident and secure in the learning environment.

One of the things I love most about this school is the focus on fun while learning. The teachers have a way of making even the most challenging subjects engaging and enjoyable for the students. This has helped my child become more excited about learning and has encouraged them to want to know more about the world around them.

I highly recommend Partnership for any parent who is looking for a school that truly cares about their child's growth and development. The teachers are simply amazing, and my child has grown so much since starting at this school. Thank you Partnership for creating such a positive and nurturing environment for our children!

Posted: February 6, 2023

Posted: January 31, 2023

Partnership is a fantastic school near downtown with the most caring staff. The teachers pour their hearts into what they do and make personal connections to each student. My two children have loved their teachers, experiences, and community. There are fun projects, family activities, and cultural programs through out the year. My children have gotten lots of personal attention and interactions because of the small size of the community. Teachers know all the kids and figure out what helps them learn. The building is a drawback and it may not be a perfect fit for every child, but they make it work and the open flow creates a collaborative spirit. The population is diverse and everyone is welcomed and valued. My oldest was really well prepared for middle school and my second will be equally, if not better, prepared. This school is a gem. The calendar and middle school path are big pluses. Only 2 drawbacks: the building and need for more support staff. Do they deserve funds to re-do the building? Absolutely. Is that something the PME staff can control? Nope. Come on WCPSS and the state. Do they deserve more supporting staff (as well as the kids)? Absolutely. Is that something the PME staff can control? Also nope. Again, come on WCPSS and the state. Every elementary needs more, but PME does an awesome job with what they do have. Check it out for yourself!

Posted: October 28, 2022

Partnership has been a great fit for our familythe small, family-like environment (and the accountability the students feel because of that) has helped my shy oldest son blossom. Hes now in 2nd and my youngest was so excited to join him there. All of the teachers weve had seem like they genuinely enjoy their jobs, and as a former teacher myself, I know how directly that affects effectiveness in the classroom! A well-supported teacher will more likely be an effective teacher. Partnership isnt fancy; it doesnt have tons of glam electives or a swank building. But it does have solid, caring teachers and an atmosphere that cultivates genuine community. And especially after years of feeling separated from community (and watching my kids suffer the effects of that), Partnerships family feel is all the more valuable. Come give it a visit!

Posted: October 28, 2022

Posted: August 20, 2022

Partnership is a very small school with a personal vibe. We felt at home immediately. The tour guide and the teachers seemed really welcoming, helpful, and took time with us. The specials teachers for the most part are great too. My kid's teachers were thoughtful, and knew exactly who my kid was and how to work with them. Partnership has an awesome library which actually encourages (gasp) reading actual books over just digital content. The art and PE teachers were also extremely kind and able to connect well with students. Unfortunately, one concern we had there was what we personally witnessed with both the lead kindergarten teacher and her assistant. We saw them each losing patience and being physically rough with some of the youngest students (in non-emergency situations). We immediately reported what we witnessed to the admin staff, but we were shut down quickly, justifying it & denying it was a problem. I think teachers should uphold what we expect from students: the whole "use your words" principle. Partnership's kindergarten teachers may need a refresher course. Another drawback to the school is Partnership's school counselor. She seemed to not connect well with the kids, and there was a falseness in the way she spoke with them. She seemed to encourage the students to cover up their emotions with fake happiness . Which for the sake of keeping order in the classroom- kinda makes sense? But overall, not very empathetic. But other than that, I have to commend the rest of the staff on their thorough, compassionate, and organized approach, especially during the "covid" year. Our designated virtual teacher from Partnership found a way, through all of it, to connect with the kids. It was remarkable.

Posted: August 20, 2022

Posted: January 13, 2022

I have two children at Partnership, and it's been a great experience for my girls. Partnership really excels at instilling community oriented values into the children, which I think is so critical for children at this early age. It's a small school, and most if not all of the teachers and staff know me and my children. Teachers are very communicative, especially in the earlier grades, and committed to helping my children grow and develop as individuals who think of others and respect themselves.

The pandemic has made learning more difficult, but I believe the emphasis placed on graciously encouraging my children to try their best without the pressure of being the best has really helped them grow in confidence and be encouraging to their classmates who may struggle at times. I am so glad our family chose Partnership as our school, and I know that beyond learning the basics, my children are learning to value themselves and others and to think about their community and how to be of service.

As a parent, I'm learning new things as well. The more involved I am with volunteer opportunities, the more chances I get to see how great the Partnership community is. The PTA, teachers, staff, administrators and other Partnership families all share goals similar to mine, and seeing their generosity and commitment to our school is really encouraging to see. Partnership is a really special place.

Posted: January 13, 2022

Posted: November 5, 2019

Partnership Elementary School is a wonderfully unique and special place. My two children (currently 3rd and 5th grades) have thrived there throughout these last few years and my wife and I simply couldnt have asked for a better experience.

What makes Partnership unique is its sense of community. Its a small school, in fact one of the smallest elementary schools in Wake County, but because of its size each child that walks through the front door every morning gets a level of personal attention I doubt most schools could even aspire to. Small class sizes are the norm; meeting and exceeding state requirements for student-to-teacher ratio. With the small class sizes, and only three classes per grade, everyone at the school knows everyone else. Its a close-knit school that feels like a family.

Like anything in life, you certainly get out what you put in, and Partnership by its very name embodies this ideal. Parent and community involvement is encouraged and expected because kids do better when parents, teachers and staff are all working together towards the same goals. The anchor of this level of collaboration is the amazing PTA. Words dont do justice to describe how well the PTA is run, and what it means to the school. Because of the amazing effort put in year-after-year, the school has enviable resources to enrich the learning experience for every student.

This fall my son will move onto middle school and then well only have two more years left at Partnership. But even after my daughter moves on we will always be Partnership Pioneers for life!

Posted: November 5, 2019

Posted: March 1, 2018

The school is fantastic, and the teachers are absolutely an integral part. Very welcoming, very Involved and dedicated to the child's success. Very pleased with Partnership.

Posted: March 1, 2018

Posted: November 13, 2017

We are very pleased with Partnership and hope our girls can stay there throughout their elementary years. Initially, I was drawn to Partnership for the modified calendar and the pathway to an AG middle and high school (Moore Square and Enloe). The fact that Partnership is now a magnet is a great bonus! We also appreciate the welcoming atmosphere for parents and the opportunity for kids to receive instruction at the level they need in class. Our daughter arrived very advanced in some academic areas, but it has been her teachers who have helped her achieve independence in reading. The school is also in a great location for those who love our growing city.

Posted: November 13, 2017

Posted: November 7, 2017

We've had an absolutely wonderful experience at Partnership. This is our third year at the school and our first having both of our children in attendance. From the teachers to the staff and leadership - everyone works together to ensure the children have a healthy, impactful learning environment. I absolutely love their responsive classroom model and the community engagement of their magnet program. Partnership is truly a hidden diamond among the Wake County school system.

Posted: November 7, 2017

Posted: February 20, 2017

When I was volunteering one time, one girl called another girl a name which caused her to cry. The teacher noticed this promptly and effectively explained why calling someone a name is hurtful and wrong. After conversing with both girls, the first one apologized and you could tell she really meant it.

Posted: February 20, 2017

As a former student, I can confidently say that Partnership has played a strong role in my character development. Character is discussed thoroughly not only in guidance, but in the classroom as well.

Posted: February 20, 2017

The teachers want to assist in nurturing and fostering each and every students education. Additional tutoring time is offered to each student if they are feeling as if they are not comprehending the subject.

Posted: February 20, 2017

The homework is challenges students while encouraging them to think critically.

Posted: February 20, 2017

I am a former student of Partnership and I can say with the utmost confidence that the teachers and staff prepared me for my next step. As an academically gifted student, I was put into a special program, and never overlooked (contrary to most reviews). My reading, writing, and speaking skills were above par and I was placed the highest level academic classes in 6th grade. The class sizes were small which allowed greater one-on-one time with teachers and created a tight-knit community. I felt loved and nurtured and because of that, the joy of learning was instilled in me at a very young age. The nontraditional style of teaching and learning provided me with an edge over my future peers. Overall, Partnership is an excellent school, and I would recommend all parents send their students here.

Posted: November 4, 2016

We had 3 girls that attended Partnership (was at the school 12 years with their age span). Yes--the school is not perfect but we had a great experience. We loved the small size. Everyone knew our girls and their weaknesses and strengths and how to guide them to learn and grow. I loved how the staff moves around--the plus is that they find the best fit for them and are happier for the flexibility. Our girls had a great foundation for middle school and high school--all of our girls have done well academically and socially and we credit a good foundation at PE.

Posted: November 1, 2016

My child attended Partnership from 1st-5th grade. We all loved it. Teachers work in teams to provide individualized instruction for each child. A very active PTA provides much of the up-to-date technology. There is a very close-knit atmosphere and students work well together. The building is very old and offers some challenges, but we felt that this was a small price to pay for such a great community.

Posted: October 31, 2016

Love the small, family feel of the school. Love that my kids get individualized attention. Love that because of the size and commitment of parents, I know almost every student AND every mom in my kids' grade levels. We have made some great friends and created a very supportive village at Partnership!

Posted: October 30, 2016

PES is a great school. The teachers are kind and thoughtful, and they differentiate their instruction to meet the needs of their students. Class sizes are small and they have a wonderful after-school program. i highly recommend PES to anyone looking for an innovative school with a small student body population.

Posted: October 30, 2016

My son has attended Partnership since kindergarten. In every grade he has had a fabulous teacher, and since the school is so small, he has enjoyed a wonderful sense of community and small class sizes. We love Partnership and will miss it when he graduates to middle school!

Posted: October 30, 2016

I have been teaching at Partnership Elementary for 10 years and I can honestly call it "home". The administration and staff at this small school are completely invested in its students (approx. 300 students). Support and collaboration are two of Partnership's greatest assets. All decisions are made as a staff and have the students' well-being at heart. Partnership is a small school in the middle of downtown Raleigh, NC and it has that exact feel. The staff know all of the children and work to make sure every child is taken care of and happy.
I have worked at two other schools within the state of North Carolina and I can honestly say that Partnership teachers have their students' best interest in mind when planning and researching new ideas. The amount of love and compassion within the walls of Partnership is over-flowing.

Posted: October 30, 2016

After doing the magnet tour cycle in Wake County, I decided to tour Partnership after not hearing much about it. From the moment I walked in, I knew it was where my rising Kindergartener -- and our family -- should be. The school is small. 300 students small. And from week one everyone knew my son and recognized me when I dropped in. It's not new and flashy. It's personal and truly like a family. And being in downtown Raleigh, I consider such a small school a gem. My son is doing well academically and I look forward to his brother joining him next year. Come visit. It's a special spot and with the magnet program starting in 2017 school year, more great things are to come. #smallschoolbigcity

Posted: January 22, 2015

Partnership is a very unique and wonderful school. I couldn t be happier to have my son there, and look forward to sending my daughter in two more years. Partnership is different, by design. Their focus is on teaching the fundamental skills needed in elementary school. Unlike magnet schools in the area, there is no emphasis on extracurricular activities such as dance, orchestra, or language. What Partnership offers instead is small class sizes in an intimate setting which allows the teachers to cater to each student s need. Partnership, as the name implies, fosters a lot of parent involvement. Their door is always open for parents and other volunteers to come in to spend time and help where ever there is a need. And in addition to the school itself, they have a wonderful PTA and private foundation to help provide to the school what the bureaucrats in the school board and state government cannot. Choosing a school in Wake County is HARD! There are just so many choices that it can make the process seem very overwhelming. In the end, all we want is the best for our kids. And that s what I feel I m getting by having my son at Partnership Elementary.

Posted: November 7, 2013

Partnership is an unusual school in that it is so personal. The teachers and staff know all the children and parents are encouraged to participate making for a true partnership. The school may be lacking in some of the traditional classroom characteristics/building but the teachers make it work. My kids love coming to school and it feels like home. It has been a great experience so far after 4 years, 2 children.

Posted: August 4, 2013

My child attended Partnership from Kindergarten through Fifth grade. The biggest shock to us was how unprepared my child was for Middle School. We have spent a fortune on tutoring just to reach grade level in math and reading so they my child is not too far behind. I do not recommend this school.

Posted: June 9, 2013

Partnership is a gem of a school! If your child(ren) went there, you would know! I find it interesting that my colleague, who is national educator for STEM , was absolutely captivated by this school. She is actually going to use many of the ideas within the school to help failing charter school in her home state. The teachers care, the students are connected and the admins know all of the kids! It is safe, quaint, and there is super parent involvement! Come by and see for yourself. You are going to wish you went to a school like this when you were a child!

Posted: November 19, 2012

Walking into Partnership was a surprise. The place looks like a landfill or a scene from some post-apocalyptic movie. Recyclable materials seem to be spilling out nto the halls, due to some fuudraising endeavor. I will say that the staff spends a great deal of time teaching the three R's. Mind you that they are REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE, not READING, WRITING and ARITHMETIC. Oh well, I guess the world does need janitors.

Posted: September 9, 2012

Wow, I am sooo happy I did not listen to the reviews on this site. I did indeed come on the site prior to the school year and had grave reservations about sending my child there. I even agreed with a few of the posted comments as well after my first visit. BUT I took my child up there and it was over. My child has the BEST 5th grade team ever! They challenge my child and know him very well. He is engaged and loved having a locker. The parents are invited to the school anytime and it is in general, a happy place for all. Is any school perfect? No, but Partnership was the perfect choice for my child and if I had to do it all over again, all of my kids would have attended this school - no reservations! Come and see for yourself. The teachers are the best ever!!

Posted: August 27, 2012

Partnership starts out great in the lower grades. All of that ends once you reach 3rd grade, then quality and competency of the staff/faculty drop greatly. Our children are constantly ignored so the teachers can focus on individuals with behavior problems and/or low performance. If your child can meet the miminum standard at grade level, then do not expect them to go beyond that while at Partnership because flying below the radar is acceptable. The senior partners are all but useless and worry more about fundraising than actually educating the children in their care.

Posted: May 21, 2012

I think Partnership USED to be a great school; however, I do believe since the school leadership changed, so have the standards. My daughter who is several grade levels above her peers was constantly looked over so the teachers could focus on the low performing students and behavior problems. If you have a child with behavior problems, this would be a great school for you. If you would like your child to thrive academically, I wouldn't recommend this school.

Posted: June 22, 2011

I attended first through fifth grade at Partnership and was one of the first students when the school opened. Teachers catered to every need of students that lagged behind the rest of the class and neglected academically gifted students. The school won awards for raising the test scores of academically challenged students while average or above average students were ignored. A close friend of mine could not even read in the fifth grade. The school was underpopulated and having trouble attracting new students so they clung to their current students and prevented them from leaving the school. The only good thing that came from attending Partnership was the ability to choose almost any middle school I wanted since Partnership didn't feed into any specific middle school. It's been eight years since I've been there and the school may have changed dramatically in that time period. Elementary school is supposed to make your kids love learning but I have only bad memories. I know I won't be sending my future children here.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Hedingham	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Raleigh	NC	5.8 mi
2	Eagle Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Raleigh	NC	8.6 mi
3	Winston Pointe	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Clayton	NC	12.1 mi
4	Forest Oaks	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Bunnlevel	NC	37.7 mi
5	Anderson Creek Club	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Spring Lake	NC	39 mi
6	The Summit	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Sanford	NC	39.4 mi
7	Sunset Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Sanford	NC	39.8 mi
8	Overhills Creek	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Spring Lake	NC	40.7 mi
9	Ellerslie Subdivision	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	40.7 mi
10	Castlebrooke	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Linden	NC	41 mi
11	Carolina Seasons	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Cameron	NC	42.5 mi
12	Forest Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Cameron	NC	43.1 mi
13	Kings Grant	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	44.4 mi
14	Deerfield	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Spring Lake	NC	44.8 mi
15	Inverness	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	46 mi
16	Patriot Park Village	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	46 mi
17	Stonegate Apartments	Apartment Complex	Spring Lake	NC	46.3 mi
18	Jacobs Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Goldsboro	NC	46.6 mi
19	Kinwood	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fayetteville	NC	46.7 mi
20	The Village	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Goldsboro	NC	46.9 mi
21	College Lakes	Area of Town	Fayetteville	NC	47.3 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Princeton	Princeton	NC	35.3 mi
2	North Ramsey Road	Fayetteville	NC	42.3 mi
3	Spring Lake	Spring Lake	NC	46.5 mi
4	Spring Lake by Ft Bragg Base	Spring Lake	NC	46.8 mi

Base	Distance
Raleigh National Guard	3.7 mi.
Pope Field	47.1 mi.
Seymour Johnson AFB	48.8 mi.

Partnership Elementary

Raleigh, NC 27605

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Partnership Elementary

Raleigh, NC 27605

School Ratings

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