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Below Average

#2163 of 2,648 schools in NC

Ward Elementary

Elementary School · Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

3775 Fraternity Church Road, Winston-salem, NC 27127

Enrollment

482

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,163 of 2,648

In Winston-salem

#43 of 63

public schools

In district

#54 of 78

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Ward Elementary

4.6/10

Elementary School in Winston-salem · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Clemmons Middle School

6.8/10

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

Flat Rock Middle

2.8/10

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

About Ward Elementary

Ward Elementary is a public elementary school in Winston-salem, NC, part of Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools. Ward Elementary serves approximately 482 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Ward Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,163 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Ward Elementary show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Ward Elementary 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.

33% of students at Ward Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-11.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.4 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,811
Chronic Absenteeism33%

Ward Elementary — Students at Ward Elementary score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 39.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 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
78%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
64%
2012
Math
38%
ELA
33%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
34%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
18%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
30.2%
ELA
30.3%
2025
Math
52.5%
ELA
38.3%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Ward Elementary Compares

See how Ward Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
18th percentile in NC
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.0%

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

3775 Fraternity Church Road, Winston-salem, NC 27127

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ward Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southwest Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Clemmons), which scores notably higher. Another option is Frank Morgan Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Clemmons), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meadowlark Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 5.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Winston-salem, see our Winston-salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Clemmons Middle School Winston-Salem 0.1 mi 6.8
Flat Rock Middle Winston-Salem 2.2 mi 2.8
Kimmel Farm Elementary Winston-Salem 2.2 mi 6.1
Clemmons Elementary Clemmons 2.2 mi 8.1
Frank Morgan Elementary Clemmons 3.2 mi 8.4
South Fork Elementary Winston-Salem 4.0 mi 5.2
CALVARY DAY SCHOOL Winston-Salem 4.1 mi 5.2
Southwest Elementary Clemmons 3.9 mi 9.1
West Forsyth High Clemmons 3.8 mi 6.5
CATHEDRAL OAK ACADEMY Clemmons 3.8 mi 7.8
Bolton Elementary Winston-Salem 4.2 mi 5.3
Friedberg Elementary Winston-Salem 4.1 mi 6.2
ABC OF NC CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Winston-Salem 4.1 mi 6.3
ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Winston-Salem 4.3 mi 6.3
Griffith Elementary Winston-Salem 4.2 mi 5.1
Early College of Forsyth Co Winston-Salem 4.7 mi 7.8
Middle College of Forsyth Cnty Winston-Salem 4.7 mi 7.6
Meadowlark Elementary Winston-Salem 5.4 mi 8.4
Meadowlark Middle Winston-Salem 5.3 mi 7.3
Moore Magnet Elementary Winston-Salem 5.2 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27127 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,822

Median Home Value

$189,900

Median Rent

$1,088/mo

Population

41,450

College Educated

30.6%

Homeownership

65.2%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

11%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Carver Heights Elementary Goldsboro, NC 4.6
Davenport A+ School Lenoir, NC 4.6
Monroeton Elementary Reidsville, NC 4.6
Moore Magnet Elementary Winston-Salem, NC 4.6
Oak Hill Elementary Morganton, NC 4.6
Pilot Elementary Greensboro, NC 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ward Elementary

What grades does Ward Elementary serve?

Ward Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Ward Elementary?

Ward Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 482 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ward Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Ward 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 Ward Elementary rank in NC?

Ward Elementary ranks #2,163 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Ward Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ward Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Ward Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ward Elementary has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Ward Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Ward Elementary a Title I school?

No, Ward Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ward Elementary?

99.4% of students at Ward 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
482
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Forsyth County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.0%

District

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

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