Excellent
#23 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 1% in state
Piney Grove Elementary
Elementary School · Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
1500 Piney Grove Road, Kernersville, NC 27284
Enrollment
625
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
625
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kernersville
#1 of 12
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#20 of 1,474
In district
#1 of 78
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Piney Grove Elementary
Piney Grove Elementary serves 625 students in grades PK through 5 in Kernersville, North Carolina. It earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — built on a 9.6 in academics and a 9.4 in growth. Those marks place Piney Grove #23 out of 2,648 public schools statewide, outperforming 99% of North Carolina schools.
Among elementary schools specifically, it ranks #20 of 1,474 — near the top of both lists. Within Kernersville, Piney Grove holds the top spot: #1 of 12 public schools in the city. A student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1 gives teachers manageable class sizes, and that structural advantage shows up directly in the school's academic and growth outcomes.
This is a regular public school with no selective admissions process, meaning these scores reflect the full student body rather than a screened applicant pool. For families comparing elementary options in the Kernersville area, the data lines up clearly: Piney Grove ranks among the strongest elementary schools in North Carolina, and the evidence holds across every frame of comparison.
Score Breakdown
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Piney Grove Elementary — Students at Piney Grove Elementary score 78% 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 12 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: 9.4/10.
How Piney Grove Elementary Compares
See how Piney Grove Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 54% (2019) to 82.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 73.6% (2025).
Location
1500 Piney Grove Road, Kernersville, NC 27284
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Piney Grove Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sedge Garden Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 6.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Cash Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 4.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Oak Ridge Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Oak Ridge), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kernersville, see our Kernersville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kernersville Middle Kernersville | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Kernersville Elementary Kernersville | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Oak Ridge Elementary Oak Ridge | 3.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Colfax Elementary Colfax | 4.4 mi | 6.5 |
| OAK RIDGE MILITARY ACADEMY Oak Ridge | 3.9 mi | 8.0 |
| TRIAD BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kernersville | 4.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Cash Elementary Kernersville | 4.1 mi | 8.5 |
| East Forsyth Middle School Kernersville | 4.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Southeast Middle Kernersville | 5.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Caleb's Creek Elementary Kernersville | 5.9 mi | 6.7 |
| GOSPEL LIGHT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Winston-Salem | 5.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Walkertown Middle Walkertown | 5.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Walkertown High Walkertown | 5.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Walkertown Elementary Walkertown | 5.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Northwest Guilford High Greensboro | 5.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Northwest Guilford Middle Greensboro | 5.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Sedge Garden Elementary Kernersville | 6.3 mi | 9.1 |
| East Forsyth High Kernersville | 6.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Cornerstone Charter Academy-CFA Greensboro | 6.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Stokesdale Elementary Stokesdale | 6.7 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27284 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,739
Median Home Value
$259,500
Median Rent
$1,086/mo
Population
57,119
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
72.1%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Piney Grove Elementary has a median household income of $80,739. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,500, with a median rent of $1,086/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Benson Elementary Benson, NC | 9.2 |
| Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland, NC | 9.2 |
| Moss Hill Elementary Kinston, NC | 9.2 |
| North Newton Elementary Newton, NC | 9.2 |
| Oaklawn Language Academy Charlotte, NC | 9.2 |
| Southwest Elementary Durham, NC | 9.2 |
Compare Piney Grove Elementary with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Piney Grove Elementary
What grades does Piney Grove Elementary serve?
Piney Grove Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Piney Grove Elementary?
Piney Grove Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 625 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Piney Grove Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Piney Grove Elementary is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Piney Grove Elementary rank in NC?
Piney Grove Elementary is ranked #23 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Piney Grove Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Piney Grove Elementary has a composite rating of 9.2 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 Piney Grove Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Piney Grove Elementary has 71.4% math proficiency and 67.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Piney Grove Elementary a charter school?
No, Piney Grove Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Piney Grove Elementary a Title I school?
No, Piney Grove Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Piney Grove Elementary?
99.5% of students at Piney Grove Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 625
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Forsyth County
- Phone
- (336) 703-4122
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools- District Enrollment
- 52,157
- Schools in District
- 81
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,811
- District Rank
- #1 of 78
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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