Excellent
#136 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 5% in state
B O Barnes Elementary
Elementary School · Wilson County Schools
1913 Martin L King Parkway, Wilson, NC 27893
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wilson
#1 of 21
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#123 of 1,474
In district
#1 of 25
Wilson County Schools
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About B O Barnes Elementary
B O Barnes Elementary is a public elementary school in Wilson, NC, part of the Wilson County Schools. The school serves approximately 288 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 94.9th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 43% proficiency in math, 17 points below the state average and 34% in reading/language arts, 18 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (10.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $40,180, where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe town setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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B O Barnes Elementary — Students at B O Barnes Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.
How B O Barnes Elementary Compares
See how B O Barnes Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 58.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 43.5% (2025).
Location
1913 Martin L King Parkway, Wilson, NC 27893
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering B O Barnes Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frederick Douglass Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Wells Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Vinson-Bynum Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Wilson, see our Wilson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charles H Darden Middle Wilson | 0.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Wilson Academy of Applied Technology Wilson | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Vick Elementary Wilson | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Eastern NC School for the Deaf Wilson | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Sallie B Howard School Wilson | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Wilson Early College Academy Wilson | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Milton M Daniels Learning Center Wilson | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Wilson Academy of Virtual Education Wilson | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Margaret Hearne Elementary Wilson | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Frederick Douglass Elementary Wilson | 2.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Wells Elementary Wilson | 2.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Fike High Wilson | 3.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Beddingfield High Wilson | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Vinson-Bynum Elementary Wilson | 3.1 mi | 7.9 |
| GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS ACADEMY Wilson | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Wilson Preparatory Academy Wilson | 4.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Forest Hills Middle Wilson | 4.1 mi | 6.1 |
| BUILDING BLOCKS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilson | 5.1 mi | — |
| Lee Woodard Elementary Black Creek | 5.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Speight Middle Stantonsburg | 6.1 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27893 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,180
Median Home Value
$153,000
Median Rent
$894/mo
Population
38,626
College Educated
14.5%
Homeownership
42.5%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
30.6%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding B O Barnes Elementary has a median household income of $40,180. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,000, with a median rent of $894/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Diggs-Latham Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 8.8 |
| Eastover Elementary Charlotte, NC | 8.8 |
| Kirkman Park Elementary High Point, NC | 8.8 |
| Laurel Mill Elementary Louisburg, NC | 8.8 |
| Morehead Montessori Durham, NC | 8.8 |
| Morris Grove Elementary Chapel Hill, NC | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about B O Barnes Elementary
What grades does B O Barnes Elementary serve?
B O Barnes Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend B O Barnes Elementary?
B O Barnes Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 288 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at B O Barnes Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at B O Barnes Elementary is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does B O Barnes Elementary rank in NC?
B O Barnes Elementary is ranked #136 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is B O Barnes Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
B O Barnes Elementary has a composite rating of 8.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at B O Barnes Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, B O Barnes Elementary has 42.5% math proficiency and 34.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is B O Barnes Elementary a charter school?
No, B O Barnes Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is B O Barnes Elementary a Title I school?
No, B O Barnes Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for B O Barnes Elementary?
99.0% of students at B O Barnes Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wilson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 288
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Wilson County
- Phone
- (252) 399-7875
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wilson County Schools- District Enrollment
- 10,260
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,450
- District Rank
- #1 of 25
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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