Banks Road Elementary

Posted: June 11, 2024

Posted: June 11, 2024

Posted: June 11, 2024

Posted: June 11, 2024

Posted: June 11, 2024

Posted: June 11, 2024

Both of my children have attended or are currently attending Banks Road ES. My oldest started in 2016 for Kindergarten and at this time the Great Schools rating was 9/10. During the past 3 years, the school environment, staff and administration has declined immensely. My youngest and oldest have been the victim of bullying. Most recently my youngest has been on the receiving end of physical and sexual violence at the hands of another student. The solution: separate the two students in line. Administration and staff have lost control of the children at Banks. They are running the school with no repercussions. Students fighitng in hallways, students yelling at teachers, students standing on urinals to peek over stalls at other students, bullying, fighting, staff who seem to be barely hanging on -- and Banks Road adminstration and Wake County Public Schools adminstration have not been able to curtail the issues that continue to occur. I have heard so many stories similar to my children's stories from other parents in the past 6 years. What has happened? What is WCPSS going to do? If I had a choice, I would not send my child to this school. Protect your children because Banks Road ES and WCPSS will not at this school.

Posted: June 11, 2024

Posted: June 11, 2024

Posted: November 2, 2018

I have two children in their 3rd year at Banks Rd Elementary. It has been a very good experience for our family. My children have connected with each teacher they’ve had and are enjoying school. As a parent, I have been impressed with all of the teachers and staff I have gotten to know.

The only (small) downside I am aware of at this time is that funding seems to be a bit on the low side here. They do a LOT of fundraisers through the year, and the kids only get two field trips per year, and one of those is an “in-school” field trip where they don’t actually leave the campus. We transferred to Banks 3yrs ago from Cary Elementary, where they got 4 field trips a year, and could walk next door to the community art center for additional enrichment experiences. Coming from that, there is a noticeable drop in enrichment opportunities.

Overall, Banks Rd Elementary is a very good school with fantastic teachers, a good AIG program for gifted students, great Specials instructors and several clubs that meet before or after school to offer additional opportunities for students to pursue their interests and passions.

Posted: December 28, 2016

My children and doing very well at Banks and they really like the teachers. Education is important but so is the happiness of my children. Banks is proving an environment which enables both!

Posted: December 28, 2016

Posted: December 28, 2016

Posted: December 28, 2016

Posted: December 28, 2016

Posted: December 28, 2016

Posted: December 28, 2016

Posted: July 22, 2016

My daughter loves Banks! There is care, harmony and true discipline towards providing great education, a spirit of community and family values. Banks Road Elementary is providing the foundation my child needs in education, challenging her every step of the way at the same time as giving her positive reinforcement, guidance and care.

Posted: July 22, 2016

Posted: July 22, 2016

Posted: July 22, 2016

Posted: September 18, 2015

Posted: September 18, 2015

I've heard parents from other schools complaining about the amount of homework. I've never found this to be a problem at Banks. I did ask my oldest son's earliest teachers (before 3rd grade) to provide more stimulating homework for him since he was performing way above grade level. The teachers were great about it.

Posted: September 18, 2015

Although the programs haven't always been consistent, Banks Rd has always emphasized character education in many different forms.

Posted: September 18, 2015

I have two kids at Banks Road and have been very pleased with the experience. We had issues with the bus during my oldest son's first year. The older kids were playing an inappropriate game in the back of the bus. I called the school office and the assistant principal handled the situation the next day. My youngest son experienced separation anxiety in kindergarten. The school counselor, and his teacher and assistant teacher were all extremely helpful throughout the entire year, never losing patience and continually encouraging him. A teacher from an entirely different class came up and gave me a hug after I left him crying in his classroom. The teachers we've had have all been highly capable, energetic and supportive, including the specials teachers and AIG instructors. I especially like that this is a small community school. All my neighbor's kids go to this school so there's a feeling of connection and investment.

Posted: August 9, 2014

Redirect: I guess if your child has no "problems, academic or otherwise," then it is really easy to have a "great experience" pretty much anywhere you are. A true educator and a solid administration shows its skill when it is faced with challenge. ALL children deserve an education, even ones with "problems" as the last reviewer so eloquently calls it, whatever learning differences they may have.

Posted: August 8, 2014

We have had a great experience at Banks Rd! The school is beautiful, clean, and safe. But above all, my children have benefitted from WONDERFUL, dedicated, energetic teachers. I volunteer regularly and am amazed by how hard these teachers work to ensure each child's success. My children have not had any problems, academic or otherwise, so I cannot speak to the issues mentioned previously. Based on our experience. Banks Rd Elementary exceeds expectations!

Posted: July 7, 2014

While some of the teachers at this school are phenomenal, on the whole, the administration is ineffective. The principal is micro-managing and runs the school according to her own limited understanding and clarity about educational issues. It is true that she is much more interested in her own agenda and in making herself look good, and providing unfair opportunities for her own children who attend the school. Very cold and unfeeling, and completely disinterested in anything other than test scores {anything that makes her look good}. -

Posted: July 3, 2014

This school is newer so it has the new technology but with that the teachers are all not in line and it hasn't been a positive experience. I agree with the parent about the teachers not having positive attitudes. (Of course some do) But they are not manged by the principal to use positive behavior reinforcement. They started a program for kids and teachers but it was never reinforced so it quickly fell by the way side. The principal is new (although she is starting into her 3rd year) and doesn't have everyone on the same page so it's a crap shoot as to how the classroom will be run and managed. I am still undecided on her ability to manage the school. Sometimes she seems on target then she goes off into left field. She seems more concerned about making things 'appear' to be good than actually making changes but only time will tell. My recommendation would be to try a school that is a little more established with a strong principal that's been there for at least 5 years.

Posted: October 4, 2013

Banks Road Elementary provides a positive and safe learning environment for my kids. It is comforting to know that they are safe and in the hands of a caring staff. It is encouraged for parents to be involved in the classrooms and school events. The curriculum is advanced and moves at a fast pace. Parent involvement is needed and encouraged to keep up with the pace. Principal Graf is a sincere and focused leader of the school. She is always pushing the school ahead and finding ways to improve it year after year.

Posted: July 27, 2013

Banks road is really in need of teachers with positive attitudes. Hearing about why the kids are wearing cheap shoes or that their hair smells is not something I should be hearing as a parent by the staff. Posters are on the walls about "no bullying" but the teachers are the bullies. Lookout for a few of the 5th grade teachers they are the meanest. My daughters self -esteem was shattered because of the teachers threats and constant intimidation. My kids cried everyday. If you complain, the staff will target your children. My kids felt it everyday. Wish the principal was more compassionate. It starts at the top!! I was considered frantic for advocating for my kids.

Posted: July 24, 2013

We just changed schools from Banks-we attended there for one year and the determination was to hold my child back a grade-we did not agree but apparently we have no say as a parent in that-at least was our experience. The amazing thing is the principal at the new school called wondering why our child was held back and before she started at the new school-our child was moved back the appropriate grade level at the new school. Our thought is they teach to the test at Banks and if your child will do well on the EOG's you are fine-if not then you too might have the same experience we did.