Wake County Smart Start News Conference - August 29, 2024

Wake ThreeSchool began in 2022 with 100 seats across the county. In the final fiscal year 2025 budget, adopted by the Wake County Board of Commissioners in June, Wake County increased the financial commitment to the program by $2.5 million, bringing the total investment to more than $7.7 million and the total number of seats to 300.
Research shows that Pre-K program participation has significant short- and long-term benefits, including higher literacy, math, and social and emotional skills when starting school, as well as reduced rates of special education placement and grade repetition through elementary school.