Bethabara Historic District · Photo: Barber Photo Supply Company, Photographer · Public domainWinston-Salem’s public schools score below 61% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
42% of students in Winston-Salem’s public schools are proficient in math, below the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Winston-Salem, 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 98% 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.
Winston-Salem’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 333 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Winston-Salem’s, its schools beat 27%, lower than their 39% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 42% of tested students were proficient in reading and 42% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,477 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
27 elementary schools, then ten middle and ten high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Quality Education Academy, Carter G. Woodson School, Forsyth Academy, The Arts Based School, Calvary Day School (private), Summit School Inc (private), St. Leo Catholic School (private), Woodland Baptist Christian School (private), Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School (private), Salem Montessori School (private), St. Johns Lutheran School (private), Reynolda Presbyterian Preschool and Kind (private), Salem Academy (private), Winston Salem Street School (private), Rise Academy (private), Ephesus Jr. Academy (private) and Westlawn (private) are in town. J F Kennedy High and Virtual Academy, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. 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 Winston-Salem’s grade
C+: better than 39% of North Carolina school districts, #223 of 290 North Carolina towns. Graduation is above the North Carolina average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Winston-Salem, with each school’s own grade.
Winston-Salem’s public schools are run by Forsyth County Schools, which also serves Bethania, Clemmons, Kernersville and Lewisville 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.
Well below the state in reading
Winston-Salem vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Winston-Salem’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem | C+ | Forsyth County Schools |
| Walkertown | C+ | Forsyth County Schools |
| Tobaccoville | C+ | Forsyth County Schools |
| Kernersville | C+ | Forsyth County Schools |
| Rural Hall | C+ | Forsyth County Schools |
| Midway | B− | Davidson County Schools |
| Clemmons | C+ | Forsyth County Schools |
5 of the 6 neighbors share Forsyth County Schools with Winston-Salem, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Winston-Salem
69 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).
Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Career Center, Kingswood School, Hospital/Homebound Education Center and Anderson Academy).
Questions about Winston-Salem’s schools
Are Winston-Salem’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Winston-Salem children attend score below 61% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #223 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 27%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Winston-Salem in?
Forsyth County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 51,745 students in 79 schools (2024–25).
Where do Winston-Salem kids go to high school?
One of 10 high schools, depending on your address: R J Reynolds High, Parkland High, Mount Tabor High School, Robert B Glenn High School, Atkins Academic & Tech High, North Forsyth Magnet High, Carver High, Paisley Magnet School, Winston-Salem Preparatory Acad and Early College of Forsyth Co.
What is Winston-Salem’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Forsyth County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Winston-Salem spend per student?
$13,477 in Forsyth County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Winston-Salem?
Yes: Calvary Day School (religious, grades PK–12, 981 students), Summit School Inc (nonsectarian, grades PK–9, 547 students), St. Leo Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 262 students), Woodland Baptist Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 253 students), Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 161 students), Salem Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 142 students), St. Johns Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–5, 134 students), Reynolda Presbyterian Preschool and Kind (religious, grades PK–K, 134 students), Salem Academy (nonsectarian · all-girls, grades 9–12, 76 students), Winston Salem Street School (religious, grades 9–12, 63 students), Rise Academy (religious, grades K–5, 42 students), Ephesus Jr. Academy (religious, grades K–8, 36 students) and Westlawn (special education, grades , 16 students). Winston-Salem also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Winston-Salem families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Winston-Salem → 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.