Skip to main content

Very Good

#478 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 18% 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

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#478 of 2,648

In Winston-salem

#5 of 63

public schools

In district

#12 of 78

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Whitaker Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Whitaker Elementary

7.9/10

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

Childrens Center

7.1/10

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

St Leo Catholic School

6.7/10

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

About Whitaker Elementary

Whitaker Elementary is a public elementary school in Winston-salem, NC, part of Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools. Whitaker Elementary serves approximately 529 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Whitaker Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #478 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Whitaker Elementary show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts above district
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.0
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency79.8% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+19.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33.2 pts
Overall Proficiency81% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+12.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,811
Chronic Absenteeism12.9%

Whitaker Elementary — Students at Whitaker Elementary score 81% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 79.5% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
98%
ELA
94%
2010
Math
99.5%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
97%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
83%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
85%
ELA
80%
2015
Math
80%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
86%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
85%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
74%
ELA
74%
2019
Math
74%
ELA
74%
2020*
Math
66%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
66%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
72.8%
ELA
68.7%
2025
Math
83.4%
ELA
79.6%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Whitaker Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
82th percentile in NC
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.9%

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

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. Sherwood Forest Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Speas Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, The Downtown School (rated 7.4/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 7.1
ST LEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winston-Salem 0.9 mi 6.7
Moore Magnet Elementary Winston-Salem 1.3 mi 4.6
R J Reynolds High Winston-Salem 1.2 mi 6.0
Wiley Magnet Middle Winston-Salem 1.3 mi 5.3
Sherwood Forest Elementary Winston-Salem 1.3 mi 9.2
Brunson Elementary Winston-Salem 1.5 mi 5.5
Speas Elementary Winston-Salem 1.7 mi 8.0
Lowrance Middle Winston-Salem 1.6 mi 4.7
Paisley IB Magnet School Winston-Salem 1.6 mi 3.0
Cook Literacy Model School Winston-Salem 1.7 mi 6.6
Bolton Elementary Winston-Salem 2.2 mi 5.3
Mount Tabor High School Winston-Salem 2.0 mi 4.9
Kimberley Park Elementary Winston-Salem 2.0 mi 5.2
Thomas Jefferson Middle Winston-Salem 2.0 mi 7.1
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 7.8
Virtual Academy Winston-Salem 2.2 mi 3.5
The Downtown School Winston-Salem 2.3 mi 7.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Carthage Elementary Carthage, NC 7.9
Coltrane-Webb Elementary Concord, NC 7.9
E K Powe Elementary Durham, NC 7.9
Eastover-Central Elementary Eastover, NC 7.9
Florence Elementary High Point, NC 7.9
Glen Arden Elementary Arden, NC 7.9

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 ranks #478 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Whitaker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Whitaker Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Whitaker Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Whitaker Elementary has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.9%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.