Very Good
#867 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 33% in state
North Wilkes High School
High School · Wilkes County Schools
2986 Traphill Rd, Hays, NC 28635
Enrollment
600
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
600
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hays
#1 of 2
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#53 of 579
In district
#8 of 22
Wilkes County Schools
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About North Wilkes High School
North Wilkes High School serves 600 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Hays, North Carolina. This public high school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 130th out of 2,661 schools statewide and placing in the 95th percentile with a strong 8.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, with 69% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 70% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.
With 40 full-time equivalent teachers, North Wilkes maintains a favorable 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention and stronger student-teacher relationships. Located on Traphill Road in Wilkes County, the school serves a tight-knit rural community where the median household income is $41,123 and median home values average $120,300. While only 7% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, North Wilkes High School is clearly providing strong educational opportunities that help students achieve academic success despite economic challenges in the area.
The school sits in the heart of rural North Carolina, where students benefit from small-town values and a close community atmosphere that supports educational achievement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Wilkes High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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North Wilkes High School — Students at North Wilkes High School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 9.2/10.
How North Wilkes High School Compares
See how North Wilkes High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 59.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 68.9% (2025).
Location
2986 Traphill Rd, Hays, NC 28635
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Wilkes High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wilkes Central High School (rated 6.8/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Wilkesboro), with a comparable rating. Another option is Wilkes Early College High School (rated 5.7/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Wilkesboro), a more accessible option. Additionally, West Wilkes High School (rated 5.3/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Millers Creek), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hays, see our Hays schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28635 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$44,540
Median Home Value
$141,600
Population
3,107
College Educated
9.4%
Homeownership
95.4%
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Median Age
55.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Wilkes High School has a median household income of $44,540. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $141,600. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| North Johnston High Kenly, NC | 7.3 |
| Chase High School Forest City, NC | 7.2 |
| Penn-Griffin Schools High Point, NC | 7.2 |
| Jones Senior High School Trenton, NC | 7.5 |
| NRM Early College High School Rocky Mount, NC | 7.5 |
| Raleigh Charter High School Raleigh, NC | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Wilkes High School
What grades does North Wilkes High School serve?
North Wilkes High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend North Wilkes High School?
North Wilkes High School has an enrollment of approximately 600 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Wilkes High School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Wilkes High School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Wilkes High School rank in NC?
North Wilkes High School is ranked #867 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is North Wilkes High School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Wilkes High School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 North Wilkes High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Wilkes High School has 59.4% math proficiency and 54.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Wilkes High School a charter school?
No, North Wilkes High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Wilkes High School a Title I school?
No, North Wilkes High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Wilkes High School?
99.5% of students at North Wilkes 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 600
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Wilkes County
- Phone
- (336) 903-4040
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wilkes County Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,625
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,150
- District Rank
- #8 of 22
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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