Best Schools in Elm City, North Carolina
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Elm City?
Use this page to compare every school in Elm City by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Coopers Elementary
Elementary · Nash County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Elm City Middle
Middle · Wilson County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Gardners Elementary
Elementary · Wilson County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Elm City for 2026 are Coopers Elementary (7.6/10), Elm City Middle (7.5/10), and Gardners Elementary (6.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.1
out of 10
Median Home
$157,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.1
out of 10
Median Home
$157,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +6.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Elm City schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Elm City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 rated schools; 4 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coopers Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Elm City Middle | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Gardners Elementary | 6.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.1/10
- Median household income
- $61,189
- Median home value
- $157,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 81%
75% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Elm City compares
North Carolina rank
#23 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.8
above North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$61k
90% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
4
Wilson County Schools runs 67% of Elm City's public schools
Elm City touches 2 districts, but Wilson County Schools is the one most addresses actually attend.
Wilson County Schools accounts for 2 of 3 public schools (67%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 3 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 6.2 to 7.6 — the spread is inside Elm City, not a citywide average.
- Wilson County Schools2 public · 67%
- Nash County Public Schools1 public · 33%
About Schools in Elm City, North Carolina
Elm City, North Carolina is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 7.1 out of 10, schools in Elm City perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Elm City is Coopers Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Elm City is served by 2 school districts: Nash County Public Schools, Wilson County Schools. These districts collectively serve 24,828 students.
Elm City's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $61,189. The poverty rate in the area is 15.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 618 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 242 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.2 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 425 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garnett Christian AcademyPrivate 48 students · Kindergarten–11th | Not Rated |
Schools in Elm City
Elm City, North Carolina · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$61,189
Median Home Value
$157,800
Median Rent
$854/mo
Population
7,745
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
81%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
15.4%
Community Profile
Elm City has a median household income of $61,189. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,800, with a median rent of $854/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Elm City, North Carolina
How many schools are in Elm City, North Carolina?
Elm City has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Elm City, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Elm City is 7.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Elm City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Elm City on MySchoolScout is Coopers Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Elm City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Elm City on MySchoolScout is Coopers Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Elm City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Elm City on MySchoolScout is Elm City Middle with a composite score of 7.5/10.
How many school districts serve Elm City, North Carolina?
Elm City is served by 2 school districts: Nash County Public Schools, Wilson County Schools.
What is the education level in Elm City, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Elm City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Elm City, North Carolina?
The median household income in Elm City is approximately $61,189 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Elm City, North Carolina?
Yes, Elm City has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is Garnett Christian Academy with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Elm City, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Elm City is 15.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Elm City, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.