1270 Barn Cat Way #BJJEPW
Apex, NC 27502

We have loved our time at Olive Chapel Elementary! My oldest went there from 2-5th grade and now my youngest just finished kindergarten at OCE. Both have really blossomed. It was definitely hard (for everyone I believe) during the COVID time but before/after that things have been amazing! And even during COVID when it wasn’t ideal, those teachers and admin went above and beyond! I know my son’s teacher even came to our home on multiple occasions and dropped off words of encouragement or little things to keep spirits up, as she did with all the kids in her class.

The teachers at this school are very passionate about what they do and push through many challenges, especially in this day and age, when parents think they know better than the teachers and when kids think it's ok to show up at school with a gun. Any issues are coming from the kids raised with no respect for public property or other people, and any public school will have that issue, no matter where you go.

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.

This school is only good if you aren't a POC. If you are thinking of sending your minority child to this school please reconsider. Life is already hard enough as a minority in this country. Bring your child somewhere that allows them to make strong connections. If you aren't White and if you haven't been at the school since freshman year, good luck fitting in. There are plenty of biases among students and also the staff. The reason why their test scores are so good is because of the privilege White students have when it comes to building connections with their teachers. Notice how the racial makeup is 71% White? That's why they have a 9/10 and high test scores. Not to mention they manipulate final exam grades. Last year some people noticed their original final exam grades went up. Some teachers had given up on students to the point that they let us have multiple attempts on the finals. The principal and assistant principals always look like they are up to something. They are so bored that they stand in a circle and gossip about other staff and students. In most if not all of my classes, I am the only brown person. Sometimes I have gotten lucky enough to have 2 other POC in my classes. Some of the student-teacher relationships are unhealthy. They know nothing will happen to them so they speak freely about other students in a negative manner with each other. Your concerns will not be taken seriously and they will try to sweep things under the rug. Once you are persistent and don't suck up to them then they will know you are serious. Anyone can walk out of the building whenever they please. I've seen so many people skip and leave the building. Staff pick and choose when they want to take action and discipline. It just depends if they need to take their problems out on other people that day. If you aren't like them, they will never have your back. They will always stand up for one another. They protect their community. Please let your child have a positive High School experience and don't send them to this school. It may look pretty on paper, but the truth will show itself once you are enrolled. No school is perfect, but this school is far from being the best.