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Very Good

#634 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 24% in state

North Wilkes High School

High School · Wilkes County Schools

2986 Traphill Rd, Hays, NC 28635

Enrollment

600

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

7.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#634 of 2,648

In Hays

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#6 of 22

Wilkes County Schools

Equity

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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North Wilkes High School

7.7/10

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

Mountain View Elementary School

4.5/10

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

North Wilkes Middle School

7.5/10

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

About North Wilkes High School

North Wilkes High School is a public high school in Hays, NC, part of Wilkes County Schools. North Wilkes High School serves approximately 600 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. North Wilkes High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #634 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for North Wilkes High School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

North Wilkes High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

34% of students at North Wilkes 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 Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+24.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+28.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College Readiness6.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation8.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,150
Chronic Absenteeism33.7%

North Wilkes High School — Students at North Wilkes High School score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 50.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 51.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 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
77%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
80.8%
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: 8.8/10.

How North Wilkes High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
76th percentile in NC
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
5.7/10
Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 3
Sports
23
11 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
8.3% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
11 boys'·12 girls'·29 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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 Early College High School (rated 8.0/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Wilkesboro), with a very similar rating. Another option is Wilkes Central High School (rated 7.0/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Wilkesboro), with a comparable rating. Additionally, West Wilkes High School (rated 6.5/10, 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 4.5
North Wilkes Middle School North Wilkesboro 3.2 mi 7.5
Mulberry Elementary School North Wilkesboro 5.5 mi 8.5
Traphill Elementary School Traphill 5.8 mi 6.4
North Wilkesboro Elementary School North Wilkesboro 7.6 mi 6.4
Roaring River Elementary School Roaring River 7.4 mi 8.3
HARVEST TIME CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilkesboro 9.3 mi 5.7
C C Wright Elementary School North Wilkesboro 10.0 mi 5.8
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 6.5
Wilkes Early College High School Wilkesboro 11.2 mi 8.0
East Wilkes Middle School Ronda 9.6 mi 7.3
Ronda-Clingman Elementary School Ronda 10.5 mi 7.1
East Wilkes High School Ronda 10.3 mi 5.8
West Wilkes Middle School Wilkesboro 11.2 mi 6.2
West Wilkes High School Millers Creek 11.2 mi 6.5
Wilkes Central High School Wilkesboro 12.7 mi 7.0
Moravian Falls Elementary School Moravian Falls 13.6 mi 9.0
Central Wilkes Middle School Moravian Falls 13.7 mi 6.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Roxboro Community School Roxboro, NC 7.7
Hendersonville High Hendersonville, NC 7.8
North Wake College and Career Academy Wake Forest, NC 7.8
South Stokes High School Walnut Cove, NC 7.8
Brevard High Brevard, NC 7.6
Longleaf School of the Arts Raleigh, NC 7.6

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 ranks #634 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is North Wilkes High School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Wilkes High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 North Wilkes High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, North Wilkes High School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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
2 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.7%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

How we rate schools

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