7619 Vista Del Rey Ln
Raleigh, NC 27613

My children got to explore several different areas of interest to help them choose areas for their future. The administration tries to accommodate all different types of students, including high performers, low performers, and everything in-between. There are a ton of clubs and activities to get involved in, and any child can find something of interest, if they choose to look. While my children did not use the special education services, other students we know have, with good success.

Hilburn was a huge disappointment. If you have a child with special needs be very aware that your child will be mildly tollerated - at best.At least 2 of the special needs teachers need to be removed from position - due to continued verbal abuse of students that cannot defend themselves and the subsequent attempts to cover up the behavior. There are some good teachers at Hilburn who care- but there are also a large number of teachers in the lower grades that need to be removed. They are burned out, ineffective, and bully the very students they are entrusted and paid to teach and protect. This school, like so many schools in Wake county, is in a hotbed of apathy. They just dont want you to know that. I do think the administration are doing what they can with what tools they have to work with. However, make no mistake, it is their job to make your child fit into a system that does not truly support special needs children. The end result will be your problem to untangle.We were repeatedly misled and misinformed on numerous occassions about available resources and options that could/would have helpd our child have a successful day. There was no reason for it - other than spiteful, burned-out resentment of the very students that walk through the front doors. Know this - the school is where the staff/teachers work - have a job. Your child is simple a component/cog of the school. It is about their jobs - not your childs education or dignity. Once you understand that - you will understand Wake county public schools. Oh and the lunch room is a joke. No adult in the building eats the lunch it is so awful- or so we were told. Some of the staff get takeout instead - because they can - unlike your child.

The community is wonderful and the school is amazing

This school is a terrible choice for parents and students looking for a supportive teachers. Teachers will rarely listen to or try to understand a student's point of view. The administration will ignore many student concerns without any investigation unless parents interfere. Many of the work handed is just busy work and rarely has an impact on student learning. There are some helpful teachers but there are even more cruel teachers. It's incredibly hard to fix grades that a student didn't deserve without parental interference. The courses offered are very restrictive as well.

I have had an amazing experience as a student at this school. This has made me not only ready for college but also the professional world. Throughout my four years here I was able to grow and learn through the help of the incredible students and staff. I can't wait to see what Wake STEM becomes.

While we have had a few bumps getting our boy engaged, the leadership have been great partners with looking at options. This school is a college prep school so there is not an emphasis in the Arts, but more a focus on core curriculum. We love that there are male teachers teaching our boy as they provide examples of strong role models. We love the uniforms!

All teachers are very attentive and helpful especially Principal Baker during this pandemic. We are very lucky to belong to a school who treats the children as their own.