Very Good
#691 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 26% in state
Watauga High
High School · Watauga County Schools
300 Go Pioneers Drive, Boone, NC 28607
Enrollment
1,279
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,279
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Boone
#1 of 6
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#34 of 579
In district
#5 of 10
Watauga County Schools
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Watauga High
Watauga High serves 1,279 students in grades 9-12 in Boone, North Carolina, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 out of 10 and ranking 18th out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, this public high school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement that places it in the 99th percentile statewide. The school maintains a favorable 12.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 104 full-time equivalent teachers, supporting strong educational outcomes.
Academic performance is impressive, with 76% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 72% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective instruction. Located in the college town of Boone, Watauga High serves a community where half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an education-focused environment.
The surrounding area has a median household income of $45,476 and median home values of $296,800. While the community faces economic diversity with a 34.7% poverty rate, the school's outstanding performance demonstrates its ability to serve students from varied backgrounds effectively. Watauga High sits in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering students an inspiring mountain town setting for their high school experience.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Watauga High — Students at Watauga High score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 4.4/10.
How Watauga High Compares
See how Watauga High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 56.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 66% (2019) to 75.5% (2025).
Location
300 Go Pioneers Drive, Boone, NC 28607
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watauga High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ashe County Early College High (rated 5.6/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby West Jefferson), a more accessible option. Another option is Ashe County High (rated 5.4/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby West Jefferson), a more accessible option. Additionally, Watauga Innovation Academy (rated 4.6/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Boone, see our Boone schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Watauga Innovation Academy Boone | 0.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Hardin Park Elementary Boone | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Watauga Virtual Academy Boone | 1.1 mi | — |
| MOUNTAIN PATHWAYS SCHOOL Boone | 1.9 mi | — |
| Two Rivers Community School Boone | 2.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Green Valley Elementary Boone | 4.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock | 6.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Parkway Elementary Boone | 5.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Cove Creek Elementary Vilas | 6.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove | 7.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Mabel Elementary Zionville | 9.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Westwood Elementary West Jefferson | 12.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove | 12.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk | 12.4 mi | 9.8 |
| Happy Valley Elementary Lenoir | 16.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Ashe County High West Jefferson | 15.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Ashe County Early College High West Jefferson | 15.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville | 18.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Roan Creek Elementary Mountain City | 17.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Ashe County Middle Warrensville | 18.8 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28607 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$44,132
Median Home Value
$339,200
Median Rent
$1,081/mo
Population
35,504
College Educated
53.8%
Homeownership
50%
Avg Commute
17.7 min
Poverty Rate
34.9%
Median Age
23.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Watauga High has a median household income of $44,132. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $339,200, with a median rent of $1,081/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| First Flight High School Kill Devil Hills, NC | 7.5 |
| North Johnston High Kenly, NC | 7.3 |
| Durham School of the Arts Durham, NC | 7.9 |
| South Point High Belmont, NC | 7.1 |
| East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill, NC | 6.9 |
| Central Academy of Technology and Arts Monroe, NC | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Watauga High
What grades does Watauga High serve?
Watauga High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Watauga High?
Watauga High has an enrollment of approximately 1,279 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watauga High?
The student-teacher ratio at Watauga High is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Watauga High rank in NC?
Watauga High is ranked #691 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Watauga High's MySchoolScout rating?
Watauga High has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Watauga High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watauga High has 63.1% math proficiency and 71.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Watauga High a charter school?
No, Watauga High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Watauga High a Title I school?
No, Watauga High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watauga High?
33.1% of students at Watauga High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Boone). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,279
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 104
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Watauga County
- Phone
- (828) 264-2407
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Watauga County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,746
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,003
- District Rank
- #5 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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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