Skip to main content

Average

#1122 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 42% 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

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,122 of 2,648

In Wilson

#7 of 21

public schools

In district

#12 of 25

Wilson County Schools

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around B O Barnes Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

B O Barnes Elementary

6.8/10

Elementary School in Wilson · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Charles H Darden Middle

3.7/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Wilson Academy of Applied Technology

9.1/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About B O Barnes Elementary

B O Barnes Elementary is a public elementary school in Wilson, NC, part of Wilson County Schools. B O Barnes Elementary serves approximately 288 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. B O Barnes Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,122 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for B O Barnes Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

39% of students at B O Barnes Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.1% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-5.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.1 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,450
Chronic Absenteeism38.5%

B O Barnes Elementary — Students at B O Barnes Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 28.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
68%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
49%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
12%
2013
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
28%
2025
Math
57.6%
ELA
44.3%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How B O Barnes Elementary Compares

See how B O Barnes Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
58th percentile in NC
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.0/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vinson-Bynum Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 3.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lee Woodard Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Black Creek), with a very similar 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 3.7
Wilson Academy of Applied Technology Wilson 0.8 mi 9.1
Vick Elementary Wilson 0.7 mi 3.4
Eastern NC School for the Deaf Wilson 1.0 mi 5.9
Sallie B Howard School Wilson 1.3 mi 6.2
Wilson Early College Academy Wilson 1.3 mi 8.3
Milton M Daniels Learning Center Wilson 1.2 mi 5.2
Wilson Academy of Virtual Education Wilson 1.6 mi 5.2
Margaret Hearne Elementary Wilson 1.8 mi 5.3
Frederick Douglass Elementary Wilson 2.5 mi 8.0
Wells Elementary Wilson 2.8 mi 5.4
Fike High Wilson 3.4 mi 4.5
Beddingfield High Wilson 3.7 mi 5.4
Vinson-Bynum Elementary Wilson 3.1 mi 7.0
GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS ACADEMY Wilson 3.5 mi 6.8
Wilson Preparatory Academy Wilson 4.3 mi 6.6
Forest Hills Middle Wilson 4.1 mi 5.4
BUILDING BLOCKS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wilson 5.1 mi
Lee Woodard Elementary Black Creek 5.8 mi 6.6
Speight Middle Stantonsburg 6.1 mi 5.6

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork Walkertown, NC 6.8
Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin, NC 6.8
Douglass Elementary Eden, NC 6.8
George Hildebrand Elementary Connelly Springs, NC 6.8
Grifton Grifton, NC 6.8
Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary Ash, NC 6.8

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 ranks #1,122 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is B O Barnes Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

B O Barnes Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at B O Barnes Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, B O Barnes Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.5%

District

Wilson County Schools
District Enrollment
10,260
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,450
District Rank
#12 of 25

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.