Very Good
#839 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 32% in state
Whitaker Elementary
Elementary School · Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
2600 Buena Vista Road, Winston-salem, NC 27104
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Winston-salem
#12 of 34
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#687 of 1,474
In district
#25 of 78
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Whitaker Elementary
Whitaker Elementary serves 529 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Winston Salem, offering an exceptional academic environment with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 and 35 full-time equivalent teachers. The school consistently delivers outstanding results, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranking #108 out of 2,661 North Carolina elementary schools, placing it in the 96th percentile statewide. Academic achievement runs strong across all subjects, with 80% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while an impressive 83% reach proficiency in mathematics.
These scores reflect the school's academic score of 9.2 out of 10, demonstrating consistent excellence in core subjects across all grade levels. The school draws from a well-educated community in the 27104 area, where 56% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $75,592. With a low poverty rate of just 7.1% and median home values around $312,200, the neighborhood reflects stability and educational investment that supports student success.
Whitaker Elementary operates as a regular public school within Forsyth County, situated in Winston Salem's large city environment while serving a engaged community of over 30,000 residents who value educational excellence.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Whitaker Elementary — Students at Whitaker Elementary score 81% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.1/10.
How Whitaker Elementary Compares
See how Whitaker Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 74% (2019) to 83% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 74% (2019) to 79.8% (2025).
Location
2600 Buena Vista Road, Winston-salem, NC 27104
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whitaker Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Speas Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cook Literacy Model School (rated 8.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bolton Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Winston-salem, see our Winston-salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Childrens Center Winston-Salem | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| ST LEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winston-Salem | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Moore Magnet Elementary Winston-Salem | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| R J Reynolds High Winston-Salem | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Wiley Magnet Middle Winston-Salem | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Sherwood Forest Elementary Winston-Salem | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Brunson Elementary Winston-Salem | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Speas Elementary Winston-Salem | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Lowrance Middle Winston-Salem | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Paisley IB Magnet School Winston-Salem | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Cook Literacy Model School Winston-Salem | 1.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Bolton Elementary Winston-Salem | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Mount Tabor High School Winston-Salem | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Kimberley Park Elementary Winston-Salem | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle Winston-Salem | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| WINSTON-SALEM STREET SCHOOL Winston-Salem | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Winston-Salem | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Early College of Forsyth Co Winston-Salem | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Virtual Academy Winston-Salem | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| The Downtown School Winston-Salem | 2.3 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,056
Median Home Value
$329,300
Median Rent
$1,135/mo
Population
31,184
College Educated
58.2%
Homeownership
60.3%
Avg Commute
18.1 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
43.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Whitaker Elementary has a median household income of $77,056. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $329,300, with a median rent of $1,135/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Albert H Bangert Elementary New Bern, NC | 7.3 |
| Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville, NC | 7.3 |
| Brentwood Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.3 |
| Brevard Elementary Brevard, NC | 7.3 |
| Carthage Elementary Carthage, NC | 7.3 |
| Claxton Elementary Greensboro, NC | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whitaker Elementary
What grades does Whitaker Elementary serve?
Whitaker Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Whitaker Elementary?
Whitaker Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 529 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whitaker Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Whitaker Elementary is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whitaker Elementary rank in NC?
Whitaker Elementary is ranked #839 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Whitaker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Whitaker Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Whitaker Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whitaker Elementary has 79.0% math proficiency and 77.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Whitaker Elementary a charter school?
No, Whitaker Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whitaker Elementary a Title I school?
No, Whitaker Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whitaker Elementary?
27.4% of students at Whitaker 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Winston-salem). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 529
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Forsyth County
- Phone
- (336) 703-6740
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools- District Enrollment
- 52,157
- Schools in District
- 81
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,811
- District Rank
- #25 of 78
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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