For the 2025 school year, there are 65 public schools serving 36,526 students in Winston Salem, NC (there are , serving 4,671 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
Quick Facts
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,190 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 986 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 694 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
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
Gr: PK-8 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 809 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 827 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 722 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
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
Gr: K-8 | 611 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 767 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,747 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 900 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 1,149 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,393 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
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
Gr: K-12 | 667 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
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
Gr: PK-5 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,638 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
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
Gr: K-8 | 769 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 126 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 770 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
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
Gr: 6-10 | 570 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
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
Gr: 6-8 | 783 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
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
Gr: 6-12 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 592 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 583 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
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
Quick Facts
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
Gr: 8 | 1 student
3683-b Old Lexington Rd.
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 497-1243
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 497-1243
Gr: 5-6
1612 E 14th Street
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 725-7507
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 725-7507
Gr: K-6 | 13 students
2200 Tryon St
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 771-4515
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 771-4515
Gr: 6-8 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
3545 Carver School Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 727-2987
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 727-2987
Gr: 9-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
3605 Old Greensboro Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Gr: 9-12 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
3605 Old Greensboro Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Gr: 9-12 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
3605 Old Greensboro Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Gr: 9-12 | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
280 South Liberty St
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 748-3838
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 748-3838
Gr: 5-8 | 102 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
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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