Wilson County Schools

The Wilson County Schools district in North Carolina encompasses 25 schools, including 13 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 5 high schools, and 2 alternative schools, serving students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. While the district has pockets of academic excellence, there are also significant disparities in performance, with some schools consistently ranking among the top 5% in the state and others struggling to meet proficiency standards.

Among the standout schools in the district are Rock Ridge Elementary, New Hope Elementary, and Lucama Elementary, all of which rank in the top 5% of elementary schools in North Carolina and boast exceptional test scores, with proficiency rates often exceeding 80%. At the high school level, Wilson Early College Academy and Wilson Academy of Applied Technology are among the top-performing schools in the state, with near-perfect proficiency rates on end-of-course exams.

However, the district-wide performance data reveals significant challenges, with average proficiency rates on end-of-course and end-of-grade exams falling below state averages, particularly in math. Additionally, many schools in the district have very high percentages of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating high levels of economic disadvantage among the student population. The relatively low per-student spending, combined with the high poverty levels, may be hindering the district's ability to provide the necessary resources and support for all students to succeed. Addressing these disparities and leveraging the successful strategies of the high-performing schools could be key to raising overall academic achievement in Wilson County Schools.