Best Schools in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
80 schools · 42 Elementary · 12 Middle · 15 High · 11 Other
Choosing a school in Winston-Salem?
Use this page to compare every school in Winston-Salem 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.
Jefferson Elementary
Elementary · Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Diggs-Latham Elementary
Elementary · Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Whitaker Elementary
Elementary · Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Winston-Salem for 2026 are Jefferson Elementary (8.5/10), Diggs-Latham Elementary (8.5/10), and Whitaker Elementary (8.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 63 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
80
64 public · 16 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$229,975
home value · ACS
Districts
6
serving the city
Schools
80
64 public · 16 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$229,975
home value · ACS
Districts
6
serving the city
Rates 8.5/10 despite 100% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.9 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 Winston-Salem schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +22.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Winston-Salem schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Winston-Salem
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 63 rated schools; 80 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jefferson Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Diggs-Latham Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Whitaker Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Sherwood Forest Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Atkins Academic & Tech High | 8.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Smith Farm Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Kimmel Farm Elementary | 8.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Thomas Jefferson Middle | 7.8 / 10 |
| 9 | Mineral Springs Elementary | 7.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Forest Park Elementary | 7.5 / 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $62,547
- Median home value
- $229,975
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
27% 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
#161 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$63k
92% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
77
Education Snapshot
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaWinston-Salem's school landscape covers 77 schools across 6 districts, enrolling roughly 39,294 students — 43 elementary schools, 12 middle, and 14 high. The city's average MySchoolScout composite of 5.5/10, drawn from 75 scored schools, trails North Carolina's state average of 6.2/10 by more than half a point. That performance gap correlates with income: at $59,386, the median household income runs 18% below the state median of $72,819, placing Winston-Salem toward the lower end of North Carolina's mid-size cities economically. Four charter schools supplement traditional public options across the six districts. Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher reach 36%, a figure that shapes both workforce composition and the local tax base supporting schools. School quality within the system varies considerably — the 5.5 composite masks individual schools performing well above and below that mark — making school-level comparisons more informative than the citywide average alone.
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools runs 86% of Winston-Salem's public schools
Winston-Salem touches 6 districts, but Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools is the one most addresses actually attend.
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools accounts for 55 of 64 public schools (86%). The other 5 districts hold the remaining 9.
Among 63 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.8 to 8.5 — the spread is inside Winston-Salem, not a citywide average.
- Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools55 public · 86%
- Davidson County Schools5 public · 8%
- Arts Based School1 public · 2%
- Carter G Woodson School1 public · 2%
- Forsyth Academy1 public · 2%
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
42 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 579 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.5 |
| 2 | 393 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.5 |
| 3 | 529 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.5 |
| 4 | 648 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
| 5 | 441 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
| 6 | 826 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 7 | 533 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 |
| 8 | 529 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 |
| 9 | 586 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 |
| 10 | 809 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 |
Show all 42 elementary schools in Winston-Salem
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 767 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 1,149 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 3 | 722 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
| 4 | 136 students · 6th–10th | 5.7 |
| 5 | 783 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
| 6 | 827 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
| 7 | 380 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
| 8 | 900 students · 6th–8th | 4.9 |
| 9 | 695 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 |
| 10 | 759 students · 6th–8th | 4.4 |
Show all 12 middle schools in Winston-Salem
High Schools
15 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,190 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 986 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 3 | 37 students · 6th–12th | 6.8 |
| 4 | 1,393 students · 9th–12th | 6.6 |
| 5 | 1,747 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 6 | 310 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 7 | 309 students · 6th–12th | 5.9 |
| 8 | 117 students · 11th–12th | 5.4 |
| 9 | 358 students · 6th–12th | 5.3 |
| 10 | 1,111 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
Show all 15 high schools in Winston-Salem
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 281 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 2 | 667 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 522 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.1 | ||
| 4 | 7 students · Pre-K–12th | — | ||
Private Schools7 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 359 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 53 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Summit School IncPrivate 482 students · Pre-K–9th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Berean Christian SchoolPrivate 31 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | 233 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Calvary Day SchoolPrivate 823 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 other schools in Winston-Salem
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, North Carolina · 80 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.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 42
- Middle
- 12
- High
- 15
- Other
- 11
Resources
School Districts (6)
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 Winston-Salem, North Carolina
How many schools are in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
Winston-Salem has 80 schools, including 64 public and 16 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 6.0 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 Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Winston-Salem on MySchoolScout is Jefferson Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Winston-Salem on MySchoolScout is Jefferson Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10.
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 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Winston-Salem on MySchoolScout is Atkins Academic & Tech High with a composite score of 8.2/10.
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 16 private schools alongside 64 public schools. The top-rated private school is Gospel Light Christian School with a score of 8.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Winston-Salem is 13.1:1. 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 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.