Best Schools in Winston-salem, North Carolina
77 schools · 43 Elementary · 12 Middle · 14 High · 8 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $62,547
- Median home value
- $229,975
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
32% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Winston-salem compares
North Carolina rank
#137 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below North Carolina avg (6.4)
Median household income
$63k
92% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
75
About Schools in Winston-salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem's public school landscape spans 29 ranked schools, giving families a meaningful range of options across the city. The district average sits at 6.4 out of 10, but that number masks real variation at the top. Ten schools — 34% of the total — score 7 or higher, meaning more than one in three ranked schools clears a strong performance threshold. Parents willing to explore across the city have a solid pool of higher-performing campuses to consider.
Elementary options lead the strongest performers. Smith Farm Elementary tops the city at 8.7 out of 10, the highest score among all 29 ranked public schools. Jefferson Elementary follows closely at 8.5, and Cook Literacy Model School rounds out the top three elementaries at 8.1. The concentration of high scores at the elementary level is notable — four of the five top-ranked schools in Winston-Salem are elementaries, which makes early grades a relative strength of the city's public options. Quality Education Academy, rated 7.9, offers an alternative model for families looking beyond the traditional district structure.
The 6.4 city average signals that performance drops off outside the top tier. Roughly two-thirds of ranked schools fall below the 7-point mark, so the gap between the highest and lowest performers is real. Families zoned for lower-rated schools should research magnet programs, charter options, and open enrollment policies that may expand their choices.
Practically speaking, parents comparing Winston-Salem schools should prioritize visiting or requesting data from the top-10-rated campuses before defaulting to attendance-zone assignments. The cluster of strong elementary schools suggests that foundational years have more high-quality options than later grades. Use MySchoolScout ratings as a first filter, then dig into school-specific metrics — proficiency rates, growth scores, and student-to-teacher ratios — to match a school's strengths to your child's needs. Winston-Salem rewards research: the difference between a 6.4-average school and an 8.7-rated one is significant, and that gap is worth the extra legwork.
Elementary Schools
43 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 393 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 441 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.7 |
| 3 | 770 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.6 |
| 4 | 579 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.5 |
| 5 | 363 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 6 | 529 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 7 | 308 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 8 | 431 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.1 |
| 9 | 247 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 10 | 583 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 |
| 11 | 586 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 |
| 12 | 482 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 |
| 13 | 418 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 |
| 14 | 592 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 |
| 15 | 56 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 |
| 16 | 648 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 |
| 17 | 529 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 |
| 18 | 345 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.2 |
| 19 | 355 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.2 |
| 20 | 826 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.2 |
| 21 | 475 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 |
| 22 | 611 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.8 |
| 23 | 694 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.6 |
| 24 | 533 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.6 |
| 25 | 458 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 |
Show 18 more elementary schools
| 26 | 461 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 | ||
| 27 | 613 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 | ||
| 28 | 809 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 | ||
| 29 | 531 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.1 | ||
| 30 | 370 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 31 | 498 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 32 | 769 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.2 | ||
| 33 | 438 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.5 | ||
| 34 | 659 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.3 | ||
| 35 | 68 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.9 | ||
| Private Schools 8 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ST LEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Private
221 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Private
89 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 39 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | RISE ACADEMY
Private
31 students · Kindergarten–3rd | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | 165 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | EPHESUS JR ACADEMY
Private
33 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | SALEM MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Private
33 students · Kindergarten–2nd | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | 4 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 767 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 1,149 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 3 | 380 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
| 4 | 722 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 5 | 827 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 6 | 570 students · 6th–10th | 5.4 |
| 7 | 136 students · 6th–10th | 5.2 |
| 8 | 783 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
| 9 | 900 students · 6th–8th | 4.5 |
| 10 | 759 students · 6th–8th | 4.5 |
| 11 | 695 students · 6th–8th | 3.9 |
| 12 | 703 students · 6th–8th | 3.9 |
High Schools
14 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 358 students · 6th–12th | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | 37 students · 6th–12th | 6.6 | ||
| 3 | 1,190 students · 9th–12th | 6.6 | ||
| 4 | 1,638 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 | ||
| 5 | 309 students · 6th–12th | 5.4 | ||
| 6 | 310 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 | ||
| 7 | 1,393 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 | ||
| 8 | 1,747 students · 9th–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 9 | 126 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 | ||
| 10 | 117 students · 11th–12th | 4.9 | ||
| 11 | 986 students · 9th–12th | 4.1 | ||
| 12 | 1,111 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 | ||
| 13 | 694 students · 9th–12th | 3.6 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | WINSTON-SALEM STREET SCHOOL
Private
40 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 667 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | 281 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.4 | ||
| 3 | 522 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 4 | 7 students · Pre-K–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | BEREAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Private
32 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | GOSPEL LIGHT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Private
335 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 209 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | CALVARY DAY SCHOOL
Private
711 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Winston-salem
Winston-salem, North Carolina · 77 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 8 ZIP codes
Median Income
$62,547
Median Home Value
$229,975
Median Rent
$1,032/mo
Population
327,470
College Educated
36%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Community Profile
Winston-salem has a median household income of $62,547. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $229,975, with a median rent of $1,032/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- North Carolina
- Total Schools
- 77
- Elementary
- 43
- Middle
- 12
- High
- 14
- Districts
- 6
- Avg Rating
- 6.2/10
Resources
School Districts (6)
Quality Education Academy
1 school · 667 students
Carter G Woodson School
1 school · 522 students
Forsyth Academy
1 school · 769 students
Arts Based School
1 school · 611 students
Davidson County Schools
35 schools · 17,868 students
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
81 schools · 52,157 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Winston-salem, North Carolina
How many schools are in Winston-salem, North Carolina?
Winston-salem has 77 schools, including 64 public and 13 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Winston-salem, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Winston-salem is 6.2 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Winston-salem, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Winston-salem on MySchoolScout is Diggs-latham Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Winston-salem, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Winston-salem on MySchoolScout is Diggs-latham Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Winston-salem, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Winston-salem on MySchoolScout is Thomas Jefferson Middle with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Winston-salem, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Winston-salem on MySchoolScout is Winston-salem Preparatory Acad with a composite score of 6.9/10.
How many school districts serve Winston-salem, North Carolina?
Winston-salem is served by 6 school districts: Quality Education Academy, Carter G Woodson School, Forsyth Academy, Arts Based School, Davidson County Schools, Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools.
What is the education level in Winston-salem, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 36% of adults in Winston-salem have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Winston-salem, North Carolina?
The median household income in Winston-salem is approximately $62,547 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Winston-salem, North Carolina?
Yes, Winston-salem has 13 private schools alongside 64 public schools. The top-rated private school is Berean Christian School with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Winston-salem, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Winston-salem is 13.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Winston-salem, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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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.