Average
#1803 of 2,648 schools in NC
Wilkes Early College High School
High School · Wilkes County Schools
1328 S Collegiate Dr, Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
28.2:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
28.2:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – UG
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wilkesboro
#3 of 4
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#236 of 579
In district
#12 of 22
Wilkes County Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Wilkes Early College High School
Wilkes Early College High School serves 254 students in grades 9 through undergraduate level in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, offering a unique educational pathway that combines high school and college coursework. With 9 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 28:2:1, creating an environment focused on accelerated learning. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an impressive 8.2/10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #263 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide.
Students achieve remarkable results in English Language Arts, with 100% scoring proficient or above across grade levels, while 74% reach proficiency in mathematics. This outstanding academic achievement reflects the school's commitment to preparing students for both high school graduation and college success. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $47,340 and 25% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area maintains a median home value of $183,800, with a poverty rate of 19.2%, indicating a working-class community that values educational opportunity. Located on South Collegiate Drive, Wilkes Early College High School sits in the heart of Wilkesboro, a town setting that provides students with both educational resources and community connections in Wilkes County.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Wilkes Early College High School is 28.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Wilkes Early College High School — Students at Wilkes Early College High School score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
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: 2.4/10.
How Wilkes Early College High School Compares
See how Wilkes Early College High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84.5% (2019) to 57.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 84.5% (2019) to 100% (2025).
Location
1328 S Collegiate Dr, Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wilkes Early College High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. North Wilkes High School (rated 7.3/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Hays), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wilkes Central High School (rated 6.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ECKERD - BOOMER CAMPUS (rated 6.4/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Boomer), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wilkesboro, see our Wilkesboro schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28697 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,217
Median Home Value
$190,700
Median Rent
$763/mo
Population
13,412
College Educated
23.5%
Homeownership
68.2%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Median Age
42.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wilkes Early College High School has a median household income of $55,217. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,700, with a median rent of $763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Early College EAST High Havelock, NC | 5.7 |
| COASTAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Wilmington, NC | 5.6 |
| Columbia High Columbia, NC | 5.6 |
| Cross Creek Early College Fayetteville, NC | 5.6 |
| Scotland Early College High Laurinburg, NC | 5.6 |
| Stewart Creek High Charlotte, NC | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wilkes Early College High School
What grades does Wilkes Early College High School serve?
Wilkes Early College High School serves students in grades 9th through UG.
How many students attend Wilkes Early College High School?
Wilkes Early College High School has an enrollment of approximately 254 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilkes Early College High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Wilkes Early College High School is 28.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wilkes Early College High School rank in NC?
Wilkes Early College High School is ranked #1803 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Wilkes Early College High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Wilkes Early College High School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Wilkes Early College High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilkes Early College High School has 79.0% math proficiency and 93.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wilkes Early College High School a charter school?
No, Wilkes Early College High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wilkes Early College High School a Title I school?
No, Wilkes Early College High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wilkes Early College High School?
98.8% of students at Wilkes Early College High School 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
- City Safety
- High (5,641/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wilkesboro). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – UG
- Enrollment
- 254
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 28.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Wilkes County
- Phone
- (336) 838-6247
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wilkes County Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,625
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,150
- District Rank
- #12 of 22
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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