Best Schools in Wilson, North Carolina
27 schools · 11 Elementary · 2 Middle · 5 High · 9 Other
Choosing a school in Wilson?
Use this page to compare every school in Wilson 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.
Vinson-Bynum Elementary
Elementary · Wilson County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Wilson Academy of Applied Technology
High · Wilson County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Frederick Douglass 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 Wilson for 2026 are Vinson-Bynum Elementary (8.5/10), Wilson Academy of Applied Technology (8.5/10), and Frederick Douglass Elementary (8.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 21 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
27
21 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$183,300
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
27
21 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$183,300
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Rates 8.5/10 despite 99% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.3 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Wilson schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +16.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Wilson schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Wilson
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 21 rated schools; 27 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vinson-Bynum Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Wilson Academy of Applied Technology | 8.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Frederick Douglass Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 4 | New Hope Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 5 | B O Barnes Elementary | 7.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Rock Ridge Elementary | 7.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Wilson Early College Academy | 7.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Sallie B Howard School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 9 | Beddingfield High | 6.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Forest Hills Middle | 6.8 / 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
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $54,037
- Median home value
- $183,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 59%
31% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Wilson compares
North Carolina rank
#118 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.0
above North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$54k
80% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
26
Wilson County Schools runs 86% of Wilson's public schools
Wilson touches 4 districts, but Wilson County Schools is the one most addresses actually attend.
Wilson County Schools accounts for 18 of 21 public schools (86%). The other 3 districts hold the remaining 3.
Among 21 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.3 to 8.5 — the spread is inside Wilson, not a citywide average.
- Wilson County Schools18 public · 86%
- Deaf and Blind Schools1 public · 5%
- Sallie B Howard School1 public · 5%
- Wilson Preparatory Academy1 public · 5%
About Schools in Wilson, North Carolina
Wilson, North Carolina has 21 ranked public schools with a city average of 6.8 out of 10. Nearly half — 10 of 21 schools, or 48% — score 7 or above, which signals a city where strong options exist but performance varies meaningfully from school to school. Parents who research carefully will find real standouts. They'll also find real gaps.
The elementary tier is where Wilson earns its highest marks. New Hope Elementary leads every school in the city with a 9.0/10 — the top score among all 21 ranked schools. B O Barnes Elementary and Rock Ridge Elementary both score 8.5, and Frederick Douglass Elementary lands at 8.2. That cluster of four high-performing elementary schools gives families with young children a clear set of targets to map before choosing a neighborhood. Wilson Academy of Applied Technology rounds out the top five at 8.3 and stands as the only high school in that tier, offering career and technical education as a competitive option for older students.
The 6.8 city average tells the fuller story. With just over half of Wilson's schools scoring below 7, and the ceiling sitting at 9.0, the gap between the city's best schools and the rest is wide. Families assigned to schools outside the top tier will want to dig into individual school data before committing to a street address. Elementary placement carries particular weight here — the strongest scores are heavily concentrated at that level, making early-grade school selection a high-leverage decision.
Practically, Wilson rewards parents who treat school zone research as part of the home search. New Hope, B O Barnes, and Rock Ridge all sit well above the city average, and locking in one of those attendance zones pays compounding dividends across the elementary years. For families with high schoolers, Wilson Academy of Applied Technology is the performance leader by a clear margin. With 10 schools clearing the 7-point mark, Wilson offers a viable foundation — but school selection, not just city selection, is where the real work happens.
Elementary Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 475 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 335 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 3 | 453 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 4 | 288 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.7 | ||
| 5 | 449 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 6 | 313 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 7 | 584 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.3 | ||
| 8 | 326 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.9 | ||
| 9 | 443 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.3 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Level Up AcademyPrivate 70 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 elementary schools in Wilson
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 626 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
| 2 | 389 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 239 students · 9th–UG | 8.5 |
| 2 | 258 students · 9th–UG | 7.2 |
| 3 | 683 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
| 4 | 1,115 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 5 | 1,023 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
Other Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,251 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 73 students · 3rd–12th | 6.4 | ||
| 3 | 51 students · 4th–12th | 5.7 | ||
| 4 | 755 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.4 | ||
| 5 | 42 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.3 | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Greenfield SchoolPrivate 363 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 72 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Community Christian SchoolPrivate 378 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Wilson Christian AcademyPrivate 564 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Wilson
Wilson, North Carolina · 27 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$54,037
Median Home Value
$183,300
Median Rent
$994/mo
Population
57,434
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
59%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
20.0%
Community Profile
Wilson has a median household income of $54,037. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,300, with a median rent of $994/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 5
- Other
- 9
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 Wilson, North Carolina
How many schools are in Wilson, North Carolina?
Wilson has 27 schools, including 21 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Wilson, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Wilson is 6.3 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 Wilson, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Wilson on MySchoolScout is Vinson-Bynum Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Wilson, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Wilson on MySchoolScout is Vinson-Bynum Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Wilson, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Wilson on MySchoolScout is Forest Hills Middle with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best high school in Wilson, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Wilson on MySchoolScout is Wilson Academy of Applied Technology with a composite score of 8.5/10.
How many school districts serve Wilson, North Carolina?
Wilson is served by 4 school districts: Sallie B Howard School, Deaf and Blind Schools, Wilson Preparatory Academy, Wilson County Schools.
What is the education level in Wilson, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Wilson have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Wilson, North Carolina?
The median household income in Wilson is approximately $54,037 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Wilson, North Carolina?
Yes, Wilson has 6 private schools alongside 21 public schools. The top-rated private school is Greenfield School with a score of 7.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Wilson, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Wilson is 14.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Wilson, 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
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
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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.