wellness
mindfulness in schools: what local programs are available
Raleigh elementary and middle schools have rolled out structured mindfulness sessions this summer to address student stress.
How we reported this
Raleigh schools added daily mindfulness blocks at the start of the 2026-27 academic year. Wake County Public School System confirmed the change on July 7 after reviewing pilot results from the prior spring semester.
Student anxiety reports have climbed in the district since 2022. Local counselors cite longer screen time and packed testing schedules as primary drivers. Parents in neighborhoods such as Five Points and Oakwood have pressed principals for tools that fit inside the school day rather than after-hours add-ons.
Programs now running at two Raleigh campuses
Wiley Elementary on St. Marys Street began a 10-minute guided breathing exercise each morning for its 480 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The school partnered with the local nonprofit Mindful Triangle to train 12 classroom teachers in March. Sessions use a script developed for North Carolina elementary schedules and end with one minute of silent observation before the first bell.
Moore Square Middle School on Martin Street launched a separate eight-week course for sixth graders that meets twice weekly in the library. The program draws on the district's existing social-emotional learning framework and tracks participation through an internal app. Both sites operate inside regular school hours with no added fees for families.
A 2025 Wake County survey of 3,200 students found that 37 percent reported feeling overwhelmed at least three days a week. Schools that ran the same breathing protocol for one semester recorded a 12-point drop in those numbers on follow-up forms collected in May. District data also showed average attendance rose by 4 percent in participating classrooms compared with the year before.
How families can sign up
Parents can request placement through the school's main office before the August 18 first day. Moore Square will hold an open house on July 22 at 6 p.m. to demonstrate the library sessions for incoming sixth-grade families. Wiley Elementary offers printed take-home guides that match the classroom scripts so students can repeat the practice at home on Cameron Street or nearby parks. District staff recommend checking the Wake County Public School System website for updated rosters as additional campuses adopt the model this fall.