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Below Average

#2175 of 2,648 schools in NC

Carter High School

High School · Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

851 Highland Court, Winston-salem, NC 27101

Enrollment

126

Student-Teacher

8.4:1

Score

4.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Winston-salem

#28 of 34

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#367 of 579

In district

#64 of 78

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Carter High School

Carter High School is a regular public high school located in Winston Salem, North Carolina, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 126 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1, the school provides personalized attention to its students. The faculty consists of 15 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting their pupils' educational journeys.

Academically, Carter High School ranks in the lower percentile among North Carolina schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.2 out of 10. The school's performance on standardized tests shows that 27% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 24% achieve proficiency or better in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to fostering student development and growth.

Carter High School is situated in a large city setting within Forsyth County. The school's location offers access to various resources and opportunities for students to engage with their community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 126 students, Carter High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1, Carter High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.0Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-17.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-28.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,036

Carter High School — Students at Carter High School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 24.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
ELA
10%

* 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: 1.0/10.

How Carter High School Compares

See how Carter High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in NC
Academic
1.8/10
1.8/10
Growth
1.0/10
Below average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

851 Highland Court, Winston-salem, NC 27101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carter High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Winston-Salem Preparatory Acad (rated 6.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WINSTON-SALEM STREET SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, J F Kennedy High (rated 5.4/10), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Winston-salem, see our Winston-salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
J F Kennedy High Winston-Salem 0.0 mi 5.4
EPHESUS JR ACADEMY Winston-Salem 0.4 mi 5.0
The Arts Based School Winston-Salem 0.5 mi 6.8
Virtual Academy Winston-Salem 0.8 mi 6.4
The Downtown School Winston-Salem 0.8 mi 8.1
Winston-Salem Preparatory Acad Winston-Salem 0.8 mi 6.9
WINSTON-SALEM STREET SCHOOL Winston-Salem 1.0 mi 6.7
Ashley Academy Winston-Salem 1.1 mi 7.2
SALEM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Winston-Salem 1.3 mi 3.1
Kimberley Park Elementary Winston-Salem 1.2 mi 8.1
Cook Literacy Model School Winston-Salem 1.2 mi 8.1
Lowrance Middle Winston-Salem 1.4 mi 5.2
Paisley IB Magnet School Winston-Salem 1.4 mi 5.4
R J Reynolds High Winston-Salem 1.7 mi 5.0
Wiley Magnet Middle Winston-Salem 1.8 mi 5.1
Brunson Elementary Winston-Salem 1.9 mi 6.0
Diggs-Latham Elementary Winston-Salem 2.3 mi 8.8
ST LEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winston-Salem 2.1 mi 6.7
Carver High Winston-Salem 2.5 mi 3.6
Forest Park Elementary Winston-Salem 2.6 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,611

Median Home Value

$201,500

Median Rent

$970/mo

Population

21,881

College Educated

34.4%

Homeownership

33.4%

Avg Commute

17.8 min

Poverty Rate

25%

Median Age

33.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carter High School has a median household income of $44,611. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,500, with a median rent of $970/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Middle College of Forsyth Cnty Winston-Salem, NC 4.9
Warlick Academy Gastonia, NC 4.9
Ashley Chapel Educational Center Rockingham, NC 5.0
TRINITY CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Charlotte, NC 5.0
Camden Early College High Camden, NC 5.1
EMMA LEE BROADY ACADEMY Graham, NC 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carter High School

What grades does Carter High School serve?

Carter High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Carter High School?

Carter High School has an enrollment of approximately 126 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carter High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Carter High School is 8.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carter High School rank in NC?

Carter High School is ranked #2175 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Carter High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Carter High School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Carter High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carter High School has 24.5% math proficiency and 27.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carter High School a charter school?

No, Carter High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Carter High School a Title I school?

No, Carter High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carter High School?

97.6% of students at Carter High School 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

City Safety
High (3,758/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Winston-salem). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
126
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.6%
Type
special_ed
Setting
Large City
County
Forsyth County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
District Enrollment
52,157
Schools in District
81
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,811
District Rank
#64 of 78

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 methodology

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