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Very Good

#757 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 29% in state

The Downtown School

Elementary School · Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

601 N Cherry Street, Winston-salem, NC 27101

Enrollment

431

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#757 of 2,648

In Winston-salem

#13 of 63

public schools

In district

#18 of 78

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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The Downtown School

7.4/10

Elementary School in Winston-salem · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Virtual Academy

3.5/10

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

Winston-salem Street School

6.7/10

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

About The Downtown School

The Downtown School is a public elementary school in Winston-salem, NC, part of Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools. The Downtown School serves approximately 431 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. The Downtown School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #757 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for The Downtown School show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.0
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.69 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.5 pts
Overall Proficiency74% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,811
Chronic Absenteeism6%

The Downtown School — Students at The Downtown School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 72.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 42 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
97.5%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
96%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
73%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
74%
ELA
68%
2016
Math
69%
ELA
71%
2017
Math
64%
ELA
65%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
68%
2020*
Math
49%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
64%
2022
Math
71.4%
ELA
66.2%
2025
Math
76%
ELA
72%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How The Downtown School Compares

See how The Downtown School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
72th percentile in NC
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
5.7/10
Average
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
6.0%

Programs & Offerings

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

601 N Cherry Street, Winston-salem, NC 27101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Downtown School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The Arts Based School (rated 7.8/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Diggs-Latham Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Childrens Center (rated 7.1/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Winston-salem, see our Winston-salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Virtual Academy Winston-Salem 0.1 mi 3.5
WINSTON-SALEM STREET SCHOOL Winston-Salem 0.2 mi 6.7
The Arts Based School Winston-Salem 0.3 mi 7.8
Cook Literacy Model School Winston-Salem 0.7 mi 6.6
Carter High School Winston-Salem 0.8 mi 3.1
SALEM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Winston-Salem 0.9 mi 3.1
J F Kennedy High Winston-Salem 0.8 mi 5.9
Kimberley Park Elementary Winston-Salem 1.1 mi 5.2
Lowrance Middle Winston-Salem 1.1 mi 4.7
Paisley IB Magnet School Winston-Salem 1.1 mi 3.0
R J Reynolds High Winston-Salem 1.0 mi 6.0
Brunson Elementary Winston-Salem 1.1 mi 5.5
Wiley Magnet Middle Winston-Salem 1.1 mi 5.3
EPHESUS JR ACADEMY Winston-Salem 1.2 mi 5.0
Diggs-Latham Elementary Winston-Salem 1.6 mi 7.1
ST LEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winston-Salem 1.4 mi 6.7
Winston-Salem Preparatory Acad Winston-Salem 1.5 mi 4.8
Ashley Academy Winston-Salem 1.8 mi 4.1
OUR LADY OF MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winston-Salem 2.3 mi 6.0
Childrens Center Winston-Salem 2.1 mi 7.1

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
AL-IMAN SCHOOL Raleigh, NC 7.4
Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain, NC 7.4
CHARLOTTE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Charlotte, NC 7.4
Denton Elementary Denton, NC 7.4
Grays Chapel Elementary School Franklinville, NC 7.4
Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary Hallsboro, NC 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Downtown School

What grades does The Downtown School serve?

The Downtown School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend The Downtown School?

The Downtown School has an enrollment of approximately 431 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Downtown School?

The student-teacher ratio at The Downtown School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does The Downtown School rank in NC?

The Downtown School ranks #757 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is The Downtown School's MySchoolScout rating?

The Downtown School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 The Downtown School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, The Downtown School has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is The Downtown School a charter school?

No, The Downtown School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is The Downtown School a Title I school?

No, The Downtown School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Downtown School?

27.4% of students at The Downtown 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
87 Very Walkable
Bike Score
81 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Forsyth County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
6.0%

District

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

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