Photo: MattShaw9365 · CC BY-SA 3.0Wilson’s public schools score below 58% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Wilson, 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.
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.
Wilson’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 48% of tested students were proficient in reading and 47% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,288 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then two middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Sallie B Howard School, Wilson Preparatory Academy, Greenfield School (private), Community Christian School (private), First Presbyterian Weekday School (private), Great Accomplishments Academy (private), Level Up Academy (private) and Garnett Christian Academy (private) are in town. Wilson Academy of Virtual Education, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
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.
What’s behind Wilson’s grade
C+: better than 42% of North Carolina school districts, #208 of 290 North Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Wilson, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Wilson · depends on your address
John W Jones Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 601 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Margaret Hearne Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 423 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Wells Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 383 students · 17:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Wilson · depends on your address
Forest Hills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 654 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Charles H Darden Middle
Grades 6–8 · 378 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Wilson · depends on your address
Forest Hills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 654 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Charles H Darden Middle
Grades 6–8 · 378 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Wilson · depends on your address
Forest Hills Middle
Grades 6–8 · 654 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Charles H Darden Middle
Grades 6–8 · 378 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Wilson · depends on your address
Fike High
Grades 9–12 · 1,028 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Wilson Academy of Applied Technology
Grades 9–12 · 280 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Wilson Early College Academy
Grades 9–12 · 268 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Wilson · depends on your address
Fike High
Grades 9–12 · 1,028 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Wilson Academy of Applied Technology
Grades 9–12 · 280 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Wilson Early College Academy
Grades 9–12 · 268 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Wilson’s public schools are run by Wilson County Schools, which also serves Black Creek, Elm City, Lucama and Saratoga and others. 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.
Below the state in reading
Wilson vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Wilson’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson | C+ | Wilson County Schools |
Every school in Wilson
24 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).
Questions about Wilson’s schools
Are Wilson’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Wilson children attend score below 58% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #208 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 40%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Wilson in?
Wilson County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 10,451 students in 25 schools (2024–25).
Where do Wilson kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Fike High, Wilson Academy of Applied Technology and Wilson Early College Academy.
What is Wilson’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Wilson County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Wilson spend per student?
$14,288 in Wilson County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Wilson?
Yes: Greenfield School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 425 students), Community Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 387 students), First Presbyterian Weekday School (religious, grades PK–K, 87 students), Great Accomplishments Academy (special education, grades K–12, 72 students), Level Up Academy (religious, grades K–8, 70 students) and Garnett Christian Academy (religious, grades K–11, 48 students). Wilson also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Wilson families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Wilson → 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.