The greatest capital expenditure a school system can make is a high school. What can be done to accommodate students and programs when funding is scarce, high schools are crowded, and more students are expected? The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) in Raleigh, North Carolina, first addressed this issue when enrollment growth more than doubled projections in the mid 2000s. It continues to be a challenge as the economy slowed and future bond referendums were put on hold, and yet more high school students arrive each year. In this article, the author discusses how to ease overcrowded high schools with limited capital funds. She presents alternatives that may be applicable to one or more targeted schools or a region. She also discusses how Wake County Public Schools determined that satellite 9th Grade Centers offered the best and most immediate solution with minimal capital costs and disruption to current assignment practices.