For the 2025 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 4,911 students in Watauga County, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 191 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Watauga County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Watauga County, NC are Watauga High School, Blowing Rock Elementary School and Parkway Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Watauga County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 65% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Watauga County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Watauga County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Watauga High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
300 Go Pioneers Drive
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-2407
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-2407
Grades: 9-12
| 1,279 students
Rank: #22.
Blowing Rock Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
165 Morris Street
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-3204
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-3204
Grades: PK-8
| 431 students
Rank: #33.
Parkway Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
160 Parkway School Dr
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3032
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3032
Grades: PK-8
| 649 students
Rank: #44.
Watauga Innovation Academy
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
300 Go Pioneers Drive
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-2407
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-2407
Grades: 9-12
| 305 students
Rank: #55.
Two Rivers Community School
Charter School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1018 Archie Carroll Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 262-5411
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 262-5411
Grades: K-8
| 165 students
Rank: #66.
Hardin Park Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
361 Jefferson Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-8481
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-8481
Grades: PK-8
| 859 students
Rank: #77.
Valle Crucis Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2998 Broadstone Road
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
(828) 963-4712
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
(828) 963-4712
Grades: PK-8
| 345 students
Rank: #88.
Watauga Virtual Academy
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
175 Pioneer Trail
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-7190
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-7190
Grades: K-8
| 24 students
Rank: #99.
Cove Creek Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
930 Vanderpool Rd
Vilas, NC 28692
(828) 297-2781
Vilas, NC 28692
(828) 297-2781
Grades: PK-8
| 297 students
Rank: #1010.
Bethel Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
138 Bethel School Rd
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
(828) 297-2240
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
(828) 297-2240
Grades: PK-8
| 143 students
Rank: #1111.
Green Valley Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
189 Big Hill Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3606
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3606
Grades: PK-8
| 268 students
Rank: #1212.
Mabel Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
404 Mabel School Road
Zionville, NC 28698
(828) 297-2512
Zionville, NC 28698
(828) 297-2512
Grades: PK-8
| 146 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Watauga County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Watauga County, NC include Watauga High School, Blowing Rock Elementary School and Parkway Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Watauga County?
12 public schools are located in Watauga County.
What percentage of students in Watauga County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Watauga County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Watauga County?
Watauga County public schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Watauga County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Watauga County include: Cove Creek Elementary School vs. Valle Crucis Elementary School, Watauga Innovation Academy vs. Watauga High School, Valle Crucis Elementary School vs. Cove Creek Elementary School
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