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Needs Improvement

#2551 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

3.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,551 of 2,648

In Winston-salem

#57 of 63

public schools

In district

#70 of 78

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

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Carter High School

3.1/10

High School in Winston-salem · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

J F Kennedy High

5.9/10

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

Ephesus JR Academy

5.0/10

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

About Carter High School

Carter High School is a public high school in Winston-salem, NC, part of Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools. Carter High School serves approximately 126 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 8.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Carter High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,551 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Carter High School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares2.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.4
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 126 students, Carter High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 8.4:1 students to teachers, Carter High School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

52% of students at Carter High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.25 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics1.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5% (2019 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency17% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-29.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness1.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate≤10%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,811
Chronic Absenteeism52.4%

Carter High School — Students at Carter High School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

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 32.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2019)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 24 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
44.5%
ELA
24.5%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
30%
2011
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2012
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2013
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
44.5%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2020*
ELA
10%
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: 3.4/10.

How Carter High School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
4th percentile in NC
Academic
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.6/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.4%

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 STREET SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is R J Reynolds High (rated 6.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, J F Kennedy High (rated 5.9/10), which scores notably 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 5.9
EPHESUS JR ACADEMY Winston-Salem 0.4 mi 5.0
The Arts Based School Winston-Salem 0.5 mi 7.8
Virtual Academy Winston-Salem 0.8 mi 3.5
The Downtown School Winston-Salem 0.8 mi 7.4
Winston-Salem Preparatory Acad Winston-Salem 0.8 mi 4.8
WINSTON-SALEM STREET SCHOOL Winston-Salem 1.0 mi 6.7
Ashley Academy Winston-Salem 1.1 mi 4.1
SALEM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Winston-Salem 1.3 mi 3.1
Kimberley Park Elementary Winston-Salem 1.2 mi 5.2
Cook Literacy Model School Winston-Salem 1.2 mi 6.6
Lowrance Middle Winston-Salem 1.4 mi 4.7
Paisley IB Magnet School Winston-Salem 1.4 mi 3.0
R J Reynolds High Winston-Salem 1.7 mi 6.0
Wiley Magnet Middle Winston-Salem 1.8 mi 5.3
Brunson Elementary Winston-Salem 1.9 mi 5.5
Diggs-Latham Elementary Winston-Salem 2.3 mi 7.1
ST LEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winston-Salem 2.1 mi 6.7
Carver High Winston-Salem 2.5 mi 3.1
Forest Park Elementary Winston-Salem 2.6 mi 5.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Charlotte Secondary Charlotte, NC 3.4
Warlick Academy Gastonia, NC 3.4
Bartram Academy Franklin, NC 3.8
Turning Point Academy Shelby, NC 3.9
Wolfe School Monroe, NC 3.9
McDowell Virtual Academy Marion, NC 2.3

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 ranks #2,551 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Carter High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Carter High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Carter High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Carter High School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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

Walk Score
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
64 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.4%
4-Year Graduation
≤10%

District

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

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