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Flat Top EstateFlat Top Estate · Photo: Bill Russ photographer · Public domain
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Schools in Blowing Rock · Watauga County Schools

Blowing Rock’s public schools outscore 80% of North Carolina districts

65% of students in Blowing Rock’s public schools are proficient in math, above the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Blowing Rock, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
63%
▲ 13 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
65%
▲ 14 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 4 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.3K
▲ 2% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.0
NC 16.0 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
1,990 students on the public path
In brief

Blowing Rock’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 108 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Blowing Rock’s, its schools beat 92%, higher than their 80% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 63% and math 65% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,322 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Blowing Rock’s grade

A− Test scoresB+ Graduation

A−: better than 80% of North Carolina school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 80%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (108)Better than 92%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,397 test results and a graduating class of 371 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Blowing Rock’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,311 in math, 2,483 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Blowing Rock, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–8Blowing Rock ElementaryWatauga County SchoolsA
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A

Blowing Rock’s public schools are run by Watauga County Schools, which also serves Beech Mountain, Boone and Seven Devils. Parts of Blowing Rock (14% of its land) are served by Caldwell County Schools instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Watauga County SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 11 schools · 4,658 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 13.0 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$13,322NC $13,045 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading63%
State average 49.9% · 2483 students tested
Math65%
State average 50.8% · 2311 students tested

Blowing Rock vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Blowing Rock’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Blowing RockA−Watauga County Schools

Every school in Blowing Rock

3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Blowing Rockby address
Blowing Rock Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–8
A
409 students15:1Rate it →
Also serving Blowing Rockin other towns
Watauga High
High · Grades 9–12 · Boone
A
1,289 students16:1Rate it →
Watauga Innovation Academy
High · Grades 9–12 · Boone
A−
292 studentsRate it →

Questions about Blowing Rock’s schools

Are Blowing Rock’s schools good?

By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Blowing Rock children attend outscore 80% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 92%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Blowing Rock in?

Watauga County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,658 students in 11 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Blowing Rock are served by Caldwell County Schools.

Where do Blowing Rock kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Watauga High and Watauga Innovation Academy.

What is Blowing Rock’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Watauga County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.

How much does Blowing Rock spend per student?

$13,322 in Watauga County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Blowing Rock families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Blowing Rock → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.