The Exploris School, 401 Hillsborough St.: grades K-8, 441 students in 2024-25, a B (70) state grade.
Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Sources: the school’s website and admission page; the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s 2024-25 report card data and 2025-26 school assessment workbook; the federal NCES school directory.
The Exploris School describes itself as “a free, independent, public charter school serving grades K-8” offering “a rigorous experiential education that empowers learners to improve the world.” It runs two campuses downtown: the middle school campus at 401 Hillsborough St. and an elementary campus at 17 S. Swain St., according to its website. It is not part of the Wake County Public School System: it has no attendance zone, and students are admitted by application and lottery.
Who to call
- Front office: 919-715-3690, 401 Hillsborough St.
- School website: exploris.org
- Admission: the school’s admission page
- Zoned WCPSS school for an address: the district’s base school lookup
| Address | 401 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27603 |
| Phone | 919-715-3690 |
| Grades | Kindergarten to 8 |
| Operator | Public charter school (not WCPSS) |
| State school code | 92B000 |
Enrollment and teachers
- State count: an average daily membership of 441 students in the 2024-25 school year, up from 440 in 2023-24, according to the state’s report card data.
- Federal count: 450 students in the 2023-24 school year, with 40 full-time-equivalent teachers, according to the NCES directory. That is about 11 students per teacher.
State report card
North Carolina grades every public school A to F. The grade is based 80% on student achievement and 20% on academic growth, according to the state’s 2025-26 annual testing report. For this school, achievement is measured mainly by the state’s end-of-grade reading, math and science tests.
| School year | Grade and score | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | B (70) | Exceeded |
| 2023-24 | C (61) | Not met |
The 2024-25 grade is the latest in the state’s downloadable report card data. The state released 2025-26 test results in September 2026; from its 2025-26 school assessment workbook:
- At grade level or above, all state tests: 66.5% (statewide: 59.2%)
- College and career ready (Level 4 and above): 42.1%
- Growth: met expected growth
- Reading, grades 3 to 8: 67% at grade level or above; math: 61.1%
The full report card, with class sizes, teacher data and school safety figures, is on the state’s NC School Report Cards site.
Admission
Admission is by lottery and open to any North Carolina resident, according to the school’s admissions page. The application for 2027-28 had not opened when we checked; the page says to check back in early December. The page links to the school’s lottery policy and lottery FAQs.
District attendance zones do not apply. To find the WCPSS school an address is zoned for instead, use the district’s base school lookup.
Calendar and bell times
Exploris sets its own calendar. Coming dates on its 2026-27 calendar (PDF):
- Monday, Nov. 2: teacher workday for parent and student conferences
- Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day holiday
- Nov. 23-24: teacher workdays
- Nov. 25-27: Thanksgiving break
- Dec. 21 to Jan. 1: winter break
More
- The school’s own website
- Every public school in Raleigh, with zones and report cards
- Our Raleigh schools guide for district calendars, enrollment dates and the school board
Frequently asked questions
What grades does The Exploris School serve?
The Exploris School serves kindergarten through eighth grade. It is a tuition-free public charter school, not part of WCPSS.
What is The Exploris School’s school grade?
The Exploris School earned a B, with a score of 70, in North Carolina’s 2024-25 School Performance Grades. In 2025-26, 66.5% of its state tests were at grade level or above and it met its growth target.
How do I get into The Exploris School?
Admission is by lottery and open to any North Carolina resident, according to the school’s admissions page.
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