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Needs Improvement

#2484 of 2,648 schools in NC

Virtual Academy

School · Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

601 N Cherry St. Suite 250, Winston-salem, NC 27101

Enrollment

281

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,484 of 2,648

In Winston-salem

#51 of 63

public schools

In district

#65 of 78

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

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Virtual Academy

3.5/10

School in Winston-salem · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

The Downtown School

7.4/10

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 Virtual Academy

Virtual Academy is a public school in Winston-salem, NC, part of Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools. Virtual Academy serves approximately 281 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 8.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Virtual Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,484 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Virtual Academy show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.6
  • NC avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 8.5:1 students to teachers, Virtual Academy sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

51% of students at Virtual Academy 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 Progress3.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-2.3 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-44.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-25.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness2.6Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,811
Chronic Absenteeism50.9%

Virtual Academy — Students at Virtual Academy score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.8% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 40.5% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 26 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2010
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
14.9%
ELA
32.8%
2025
Math
19.4%
ELA
33.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.2/10.

How Virtual Academy Compares

See how Virtual Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
6th percentile in NC
Academic
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.9%

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 St. Suite 250, Winston-salem, NC 27101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Virtual Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. The Arts Based School (rated 7.8/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is The Downtown School (rated 7.4/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Diggs-Latham Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Winston-salem, see our Winston-salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
The Downtown School Winston-Salem 0.1 mi 7.4
WINSTON-SALEM STREET SCHOOL Winston-Salem 0.2 mi 6.7
The Arts Based School Winston-Salem 0.2 mi 7.8
Cook Literacy Model School Winston-Salem 0.7 mi 6.6
Carter High School Winston-Salem 0.8 mi 3.1
J F Kennedy High Winston-Salem 0.8 mi 5.9
SALEM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Winston-Salem 1.0 mi 3.1
Kimberley Park Elementary Winston-Salem 1.1 mi 5.2
Lowrance Middle Winston-Salem 1.0 mi 4.7
Paisley IB Magnet School Winston-Salem 1.0 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 1.7 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
ROCKWELL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockwell, NC 3.7
Doris Henderson Newcomers Sch Greensboro, NC 4.0
PUNGO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Belhaven, NC 4.0
Metro School Charlotte, NC 2.9
NEW MANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Marion, NC 4.2
Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy Asheville, NC 2.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Virtual Academy

What grades does Virtual Academy serve?

Virtual Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Virtual Academy?

Virtual Academy has an enrollment of approximately 281 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Virtual Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Virtual Academy is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Virtual Academy rank in NC?

Virtual Academy ranks #2,484 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Virtual Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Virtual Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Virtual Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Virtual Academy has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

Is Virtual Academy a charter school?

No, Virtual Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Virtual Academy a Title I school?

No, Virtual Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Virtual Academy?

79.0% of students at Virtual Academy 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
85 Very Walkable
Bike Score
77 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Forsyth County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.9%

District

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

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