Excellent
#169 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 6% 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
8.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,279
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#169 of 2,648
In Boone
#1 of 6
public schools
In district
#1 of 10
Watauga County Schools
School environment
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Watauga High
High School in Boone · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Watauga Innovation Academy
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hardin Park Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Watauga High
Watauga High is a public high school in Boone, NC, part of Watauga County Schools. Watauga High serves approximately 1,279 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Watauga High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #169 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Watauga High show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.7 · Excellent
- District avg 8.3
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Watauga High — Students at Watauga High score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
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 28 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: 8.8/10.
How Watauga High Compares
See how Watauga High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Watauga Innovation Academy (rated 7.8/10), with a comparable rating. Another option is Ashe County High (rated 5.8/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby West Jefferson), a more accessible option. Additionally, Ashe County Early College High (rated 5.5/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby West Jefferson), 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 | 7.8 |
| Hardin Park Elementary Boone | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Watauga Virtual Academy Boone | 1.1 mi | — |
| MOUNTAIN PATHWAYS SCHOOL Boone | 1.9 mi | — |
| Two Rivers Community School Boone | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Green Valley Elementary Boone | 4.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock | 6.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Parkway Elementary Boone | 5.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Cove Creek Elementary Vilas | 6.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove | 7.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Mabel Elementary Zionville | 9.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Westwood Elementary West Jefferson | 12.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove | 12.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk | 12.4 mi | 9.4 |
| Happy Valley Elementary Lenoir | 16.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Ashe County High West Jefferson | 15.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Ashe County Early College High West Jefferson | 15.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville | 18.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Roan Creek Elementary Mountain City | 17.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Ashe County Middle Warrensville | 18.8 mi | 8.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Durham School of the Arts Durham, NC | 8.7 |
| East Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill, NC | 8.7 |
| Atkins Academic & Tech High Winston-Salem, NC | 8.6 |
| Central Academy of Technology and Arts Monroe, NC | 8.8 |
| Asheville High Asheville, NC | 8.3 |
| Chapel Hill High Chapel Hill, NC | 8.2 |
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 ranks #169 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Watauga High's MySchoolScout rating?
Watauga High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 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 Watauga High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Watauga High has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.0%
- Phone
- (828) 264-2407
- 4-Year Graduation
- 91.0%
Resources & Links
District
Watauga County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,746
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,003
- District Rank
- #1 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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