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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.68 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.9%
Math vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+19.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College Readiness4.8Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,156

North Wilkes High School — Students at North Wilkes High School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.4%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 54.3%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
59.3%
ELA
68.9%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
67th percentile in NC
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Mountain View Elementary School Hays 2.5 mi 4.8
North Wilkes Middle School North Wilkesboro 3.2 mi 7.8
Mulberry Elementary School North Wilkesboro 5.5 mi 8.8
Traphill Elementary School Traphill 5.8 mi 7.9
North Wilkesboro Elementary School North Wilkesboro 7.6 mi 3.9
Roaring River Elementary School Roaring River 7.4 mi 7.7
HARVEST TIME CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilkesboro 9.3 mi 5.7
C C Wright Elementary School North Wilkesboro 10.0 mi 5.5
Millers Creek Elementary School Millers Creek 9.6 mi 8.4
MILLERS CREEK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Millers Creek 10.0 mi 6.4
Wilkesboro Elementary School Wilkesboro 11.2 mi 7.6
Wilkes Early College High School Wilkesboro 11.2 mi 5.7
East Wilkes Middle School Ronda 9.6 mi 7.1
Ronda-Clingman Elementary School Ronda 10.5 mi 4.3
East Wilkes High School Ronda 10.3 mi 4.0
West Wilkes Middle School Wilkesboro 11.2 mi 5.4
West Wilkes High School Millers Creek 11.2 mi 5.3
Wilkes Central High School Wilkesboro 12.7 mi 6.8
Moravian Falls Elementary School Moravian Falls 13.6 mi 8.4
Central Wilkes Middle School Moravian Falls 13.7 mi 7.2

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
6 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (840/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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