Underwood Gifted & Talented Magnet Elementary School

Small Size

Underwood is a small school serving 390 students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. We truly are a #smallschoolbigtalent! Teachers know the names of every student in the school, students know one another through our multi-age electives, parents and the community come together at our events.....Underwood truly feels like a family!

Elective Offerings

Students have the opportunity to design their own schedule and take elective classes that interest them to nurture and develop their gifts and talents.

Electives are offered Monday-Thursday for 40 minutes on a quarterly basis.

Kindergarten students get 3 electives per year.
First grade students get 7 electives per year.
Second, Third, Fourth & Fifth grade students get 8 electives per year.

A wide variety of electives are offered for students in both the arts and academic realms:

- Pottery, Sculpture, Drawing & Painting, Animals in Art, Crafts
- Band & Orchestra beginning in 3rd Grade
- Ballet, Yoga, Tap, Creative Movement, Storybook Dance
- Theater Games, Theater Production, Behind the Scenes, Creative Drama
- Chorus, Bells, Experiences with Music & Movement, Meet & Make Musical Instruments, Piano
- New Games, Team Sports, Track & Field, PE Variety, Gymnastics
- Robotics, Computer Coding, Computer Webmasters
- Cabins to Castles, Destiny Travel Agency
- Geometry Journeys, Mind Benders, Let's Make a Million
- Robotics, Kitchen Chemistry, Garden Design, Night Creatures
- UGTM Book Club, Writing Explorers, Sign Language, Mystical Mythology

Strong Community Partnerships

Nestled in the Five Points Community, only 2.5 miles from downtown Raleigh, Underwood is fortunate to be able to develop partnerships with the community around us.

With the assistance of the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), students in 5th grade participate in the Docent Program which is designed to equip students with the necessary skills to discover and connect with contemporary art and design.
Partnerships with Broughton High School and NC State University allow student teachers and volunteers to be a part of our school community. Professors also partner with our faculty to offer professional development to our teachers.
Our close relationship with the 5 Points Business Alliance allows us to work closely with nearby businesses that support our electives with guest speakers, field trips, mentoring and support!

Parent Involvement

Underwood is incredibly fortunate to have two parent organizations that support our school in distinctly different ways:

The Underwood PTA is an active group of volunteers engaged and focused on helping support our staff and teachers and to offer program & event opportunities for all students. The funding from the PTA provides tangible items and resources such as: technology, Professional Development trainings, instructional supplies, Cultural Arts Events, playground equipment, grounds improvements, etc.
The Underwood Foundation allows members of the community to support funding stability for our school, preserving the components essential to our school’s success. The funds raised by the Foundation support in ways the PTA cannot; the money goes directly toward staff salaries to provide needed positions not covered by state and local funding. Additionally, an endowment is funded for ensure future stability and success for Underwood.

Rich history

Underwood was built in 1926 and bears the name of its first Principal, Myrtle Underwood, who served the students of Hayes Barton for over twenty-five years.
Underwood has served as a K-5 school, K-6 school and also a 6th grade center at one point in time. Major renovations were done in 2001 and post renovation Underwood received the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance!
Underwood became a Magnet School 41 years ago under the Gifted and Talented model and is one of the oldest magnet schools within WCPSS.
Peggy Churn, former Underwood Principal and former Underwood Foundation Board Member, began the Gifted & Talented Magnet Program in 1982. Under her leadership, Underwood won a coveted national award as an 'A+ School' and also started the first group of students in the national program now called 'Odyssey of the Mind.'
Did you know that former two term Raleigh Mayor, NC State Basketball player, property developer, volunteer and philanthropist, Smedes York is an Underwood alumni? He attended Underwood from 1952-1954.

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