For the 2025 school year, there are 65 public schools serving 36,526 students in Winston Salem, NC (there are 24 private schools, serving 4,614 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Winston Salem, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Winston Salem, NC are Atkins Academic & Tech High School, Early College Of Forsyth Co and Sherwood Forest Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Winston Salem, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Winston Salem have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Winston Salem, NC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Atkins Academic & Tech High School
Magnet School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3605 Old Greensboro Road
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Grades: 9-12
| 1,190 students
Rank: #22.
Early College Of Forsyth Co
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2100 Silas Creek Prky
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 757-3290
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 757-3290
Grades: 9-12
| 310 students
Rank: #33.
Sherwood Forest Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1055 Yorkshire Road
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 774-4646
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 774-4646
Grades: PK-5
| 648 students
Rank: #44.
Oak Grove High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3507 Midway School Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 474-8280
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 474-8280
Grades: 9-12
| 986 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Wallburg Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
205 Motsinger Road
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 769-2921
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 769-2921
Grades: PK-5
| 694 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Whitaker Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2600 Buena Vista Road
Winston Salem, NC 27104
(336) 703-6740
Winston Salem, NC 27104
(336) 703-6740
Grades: PK-5
| 529 students
Rank: #77.
The Downtown School
Magnet School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
601 N Cherry Street
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4125
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4125
Grades: PK-8
| 431 students
Rank: #88.
Meadowlark Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
401 Meadowlark Drive
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4208
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4208
Grades: PK-5
| 809 students
Rank: #99.
Meadowlark Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 Meadowlark Drive
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4228
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4228
Grades: 6-8
| 827 students
Rank: #1010.
Friendship Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1490 Friendship-ledford Road
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 231-8744
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 231-8744
Grades: PK-5
| 461 students
Rank: #1111.
Oak Grove Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1771 Hoy Long Road
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 474-8250
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 474-8250
Grades: 6-8
| 722 students
Rank: #1212.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4000 Jefferson School Lane
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4215
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4215
Grades: PK-5
| 579 students
Rank: #1313.
The Arts Based School
Charter School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1380 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 748-4116
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 748-4116
Grades: K-8
| 611 students
Rank: #1414.
Friedberg Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1131 Friedberg Church Road
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 764-2059
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 764-2059
Grades: PK-5
| 458 students
Rank: #1515.
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3500 Sally Kirk Road
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4222
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4222
Grades: 6-8
| 767 students
Rank: #1616.
R J Reynolds High School
Magnet School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 N Hawthorne Road
Winston Salem, NC 27104
(336) 703-4145
Winston Salem, NC 27104
(336) 703-4145
Grades: 9-12
| 1,747 students
Rank: #1717.
Hanes Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2355 Pleasant St
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 703-4171
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 703-4171
Grades: 6-8
| 900 students
Rank: #1818.
The Special Children's School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4505 Shattalon Dr
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4191
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4191
Grades: PK-5
| 56 students
Rank: #1919.
Clemmons Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3785 Fraternity Church Road
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 703-4217
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 703-4217
Grades: 6-8
| 1,149 students
Rank: #2020.
Mount Tabor High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
342 Petree Road
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-6700
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-6700
Grades: 9-12
| 1,393 students
Rank: #2121.
Quality Education Academy
Charter School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5012-d Lansing Drive
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 744-7138
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 744-7138
Grades: K-12
| 667 students
Rank: #2222.
Brunson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
155 N Hawthorne Road
Winston Salem, NC 27104
(336) 703-4206
Winston Salem, NC 27104
(336) 703-4206
Grades: PK-5
| 370 students
Rank: #2323.
Parkland High School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1600 Brewer Road
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 771-4700
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 771-4700
Grades: 9-12
| 1,638 students
Rank: #2424.
Forsyth Academy
Charter School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5426 Shattalon Drive
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 922-1121
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 922-1121
Grades: K-8
| 769 students
Rank: #2525.
Moore Magnet Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
451 Knollwood Street
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 727-2860
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 727-2860
Grades: PK-5
| 418 students
Rank: #2626.
Carter High School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
851 Highland Court
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4119
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4119
Grades: 9-12
| 126 students
Rank: #2727.
Speas Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2000 W Polo Road
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4135
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4135
Grades: PK-5
| 770 students
Rank: #2828.
Paisley Ib Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1394 Thurmond St
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 703-4168
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 703-4168
Grades: 6-10
| 570 students
Rank: #2929.
Wiley Magnet Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1400 Northwest Boulevard
Winston Salem, NC 27104
(336) 727-2378
Winston Salem, NC 27104
(336) 727-2378
Grades: 6-8
| 783 students
Rank: #3030.
Bolton Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1250 Bolton Street
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 703-4247
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 703-4247
Grades: PK-5
| 363 students
Rank: #3131.
J F Kennedy High School
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
890 E 11th Street
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4143
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4143
Grades: 6-12
| 309 students
Rank: #3232.
Ward Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3775 Fraternity Church Road
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 703-4235
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 703-4235
Grades: PK-5
| 482 students
Rank: #3333.
Old Town Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3930 Reynolda Road
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4283
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-4283
Grades: PK-5
| 613 students
Rank: #3434.
Konnoak Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3200 Renon Road
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 703-4163
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 703-4163
Grades: PK-5
| 592 students
Rank: #3535.
Griffith Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1385 W Clemmonsville Road
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 703-4245
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 703-4245
Grades: PK-5
| 583 students
Show 30 more public schools in Winston Salem, NC (out of 65 total schools)
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Winston Salem, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
12th Street Academy (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1401 W Clemmonsville Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 727-2604
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 727-2604
Grades: 8
| 1 students
3683-b Old Lexington Rd.
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 497-1243
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 497-1243
Grades: 5-6
| n/a students
950 Mock St
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 727-2424
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 727-2424
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
1612 E 14th Street
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 725-7507
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 725-7507
Grades: K-6
| 13 students
2200 Tryon St
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 771-4515
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 771-4515
Grades: 6-8
| 283 students
3545 Carver School Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 727-2987
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 727-2987
Grades: 9-12
| 16 students
3605 Old Greensboro Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Grades: 9-12
| 285 students
3605 Old Greensboro Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Grades: 9-12
| 265 students
3605 Old Greensboro Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Grades: 9-12
| 238 students
280 South Liberty St
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 748-3838
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 748-3838
Grades: 5-8
| 102 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Winston Salem, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Winston Salem, NC include Atkins Academic & Tech High School, Early College Of Forsyth Co and Sherwood Forest Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Winston Salem?
65 public schools are located in Winston Salem.
What percentage of students in Winston Salem go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Winston Salem are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Winston Salem?
Winston Salem public schools minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Winston Salem are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Winston Salem include: Northwest Middle School vs. Hanes Magnet School, Clemmons Middle School vs. Meadowlark Middle School, Old Town Elementary School vs. Gibson Elementary School
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