Schools, Education & Real Estate in Knightdale, NC
Schools, Education & Real Estate in Knightdale, NC
For many families, schools are one of the top three deciding factors when choosing a home. In Knightdale, the difference between living a few streets over might mean being zoned for a higher-performing elementary or a less desirable middle school. Smart buyers and sellers pay close attention to school zones, performance data, and boundary shifts. In this article, we’ll map out Knightdale’s public school landscape, examine performance metrics, discuss how school zones influence property value, and show how a Realtor with educational insight is a powerful asset.
Overview of Wake County / Knightdale School Assignments
Knightdale is served by Wake County Public School System (WCPSS)—the largest district in North Carolina. Town of Knightdale, NC+2ncreports.ondemand.sas.com+2 According to the Town of Knightdale’s official site, the public schools serving Knightdale include:
Elementary Schools: Forestville Road, Hodge Road, Knightdale Elementary, Lockhart Elementary Town of Knightdale, NC
Middle School: Neuse River Middle School Town of Knightdale, NC
High School: Knightdale High School of Collaborative Design (KHSCD) Town of Knightdale, NC+1
There are also charter options in the general region. The Town’s education page references that WCPSS offers traditional, year-round, magnet, and early college programs as alternatives. Town of Knightdale, NC
From NCES data, here are a few particulars:
Knightdale High serves grades 9–12 and is part of WCPSS. INEE+1
Elementary schools in Knightdale include Forestville Road Elementary, Hodge Road Elementary, Knightdale Elementary, Lockhart Elementary, each with varying student enrollment counts. INEE+1
These are the primary feeder patterns, though in some neighborhoods, portions of a subdivision may fall into alternate middle or high school zones (especially at edges).
School Performance Metrics & Trends
Evaluating school quality relies on multiple data sources: state report cards, test scores, growth metrics, and local reviews.
State Report Card & District Trends
The NC DPI School Report Cards provide data on student performance (End-of-Grade, End-of-Course), growth, proficiency, graduation, and school performance grades. dpi.nc.gov+1
Wake County schools overall saw some improvement in 2024–25: the graduation rate rose to 87.7%, and 71% of Wake County schools met or exceeded expectations on accountability metrics. ABC11 Raleigh-Durham
Statewide, 31% of public schools in 2024–25 received a D or F grade, down from ~33.5% the prior year. EdNC
In Wake County specifically, math proficiency improved but reading lags behind pre-pandemic levels, according to local news analysis. WRAL.com
These district-level improvements generally benefit all schools, including those in Knightdale—though individual school performance still matters heavily.
Local School Data & Ratings
Using local listing sites and GreatSchools / Homes.com data:
Lockhart Elementary is rated ~ B- (on Homes.com), with math proficiency ~33%, reading ~33%, and a student-teacher ratio ~11:1. Homes.com
Forestville Road Elementary rates better, with higher proficiency (math ~41%, reading ~40%) and a B grade. Homes.com
Knightdale High School of Collaborative Design has been a focal school in Knightdale and carries the “Collaborative Design” designation. Wikipedia+1
On GreatSchools, Knightdale is listed as having multiple elementary schools (Lockhart, Forestville Road, Hodge Road, Knightdale Elem) and one high school among its public schools. GreatSchools.org
Niche lists Knightdale’s public schools (in 2025) under their K–12 search platform; these include reviews, ratings, and comparisons. Niche
Given that some of the local elementary schools have proficiency in the 30–40% range (math, reading), buyers should consider growth trends, class sizes, and programs beyond raw test scores.
How School Zones Affect Property Value & Buyer Behavior
Price Premiums for Strong Zones
Houses located within zones of better-performing elementary or middle schools often command a price premium—sometimes 5–15% higher, particularly in competitive entry-level markets.
Buyers often narrow down search by school zone first; that drives demand in those zones, which in turn raises resale value.
Sensitivity to Boundary Changes
School district boundary adjustments, which sometimes occur in large counties like Wake, can shift which subdivisions feed into which schools.
A home on the edge of two zones may be more sensitive to such changes, making it riskier to buy without confirming future zone stability.
Realtors monitor school board proposals and redistricting plans to alert clients early.
Marketing Leverage
Realtors often highlight in listing materials: “Located in Forestville Elementary / Neuse River Middle / Knightdale High,” or “Zoned for high-growth school cluster.” That messaging helps attract buyers for whom school quality is a priority.
In tougher markets, emphasizing school growth rates / improvement trajectory may reassure buyers concerned about raw scores.
Neighborhood-School Mapping & Feeder Patterns
It’s often useful to map subdivisions and neighborhoods to their school assignments. Here’s how it often plays out in Knightdale:
Langston Ridge, Princeton Manor, Brookfield Station likely feed into Forestville Road Elementary or Hodge Road Elementary, depending on section.
Glenmere, Estates at Smith Crossing may fall closer to Knightdale Elementary or alternative boundary lines.
Lockhart Elementary may serve homes north or east of certain corridors (depending on street placement).
Some middle to high school feeder patterns: most Knightdale-area homes feed into Neuse River Middle, then Knightdale High. But some outlying sections might feed into alternate middle schools depending on boundary lines.
Because school zones often cut through subdivisions, properties on one side of a street may be in one school zone, neighbors across the street in another—a nuance buyers must verify.
Realtors often maintain school boundary overlay maps in their MLS or mapping systems, so when clients view homes, they can see instant “this is in Forestville cluster” or “this is in alternate middle school zone.”
Case Example: A Family Choosing Based on School
Consider the Martinez family. They identified three homes in Knightdale they liked visually, but one was in the Forestville Road Elementary / Neuse River Middle zone. Another was in Lockhart Elementary zone, which had lower proficiency ratings. The third was near the boundary, so its feeder school was ambiguous.
The Realtor sat down with them and looked at school ratings, class sizes, historical boundary changes, and school improvement plans. The family ended up choosing the first home even if it had a slightly smaller yard, because they believed the stronger elementary would give their kids better long-term opportunity—and the resale value would likely be higher in that zone.
That kind of zone-aware guidance helps buyers make informed trade-offs.
Advice for Buyers & What to Ask
Ask for the school boundary map by address
Don’t trust neighborhood descriptions alone—use the official WCPSS map or district site.Visit schools and talk to parents
Beyond scores, get feel for teacher quality, culture, programs, extracurriculars, facilities.Check trends & growth projections
A school with improving performance or planned facility upgrades might be a better bet long-term.Be cautious near boundaries
If a home is on the edge line, check whether redistricting is under discussion.Look beyond raw proficiency
Growth rates, class size, student-teacher ratio, special programs (STEM, arts) matter.Consider charter / magnet / private alternatives
If public options are weak, families sometimes choose magnet or charter schools—even if farther or lottery-based.Don’t overpay just for a school zone
Sometimes the premium is too steep for marginal school difference—balance with home features, location, infrastructure.Think resale dynamics
If someday you sell, many buyers will view your home through the school lens, so being in a strong zone helps liquidity.
Conclusion & Call to Action
In Knightdale, education is not a side factor—it is a core component of how neighborhoods grow, how property values behave, and how buyers make decisions. The difference between being in Forestville cluster vs Lockhart zone, or in Neuse River vs an alternate middle school, can ripple across years and resale value.
To truly succeed in Knightdale real estate—whether buying or selling—you want a Realtor who:
Knows school zones intimately
Tracks boundary change proposals
Understands performance metrics and local school histories
Can map neighborhoods to high-performing feeder patterns
Advises clients on school-based trade-offs, not just aesthetics
Ready to discuss your real estate needs? Contact Be Sunshine Realty Group Brokered by EXP today for a confidential consultation. Call (919) 583-6895 or visit www.livinginraleighnow.com to connect with Raleigh Triangle's most trusted real estate team.
