The Arts Based School

Summary:

The Arts Based School is a public charter elementary school serving 579 students in grades K-8 in Winston Salem, North Carolina, with a diverse student population that is 67.01% White, 16.93% African American, and 7.25% Hispanic.

The Arts Based School consistently outperforms the state average in both math and reading proficiency, with 6th and 7th grade math proficiency rates of 83% and 78.7% respectively, compared to the state averages of 54.3% and 50.4%. The school maintains a strong statewide ranking, placing in the top 20% of Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools elementary schools, and earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's performance is particularly strong for female students and students with disabilities, ranking 342 out of 1,455 and 82 out of 801 North Carolina elementary schools, respectively.

While The Arts Based School's overall academic performance is impressive, there are notable achievement gaps between racial subgroups, with the school's African American students ranking 603 out of 924 North Carolina elementary schools, significantly lower than its ranking for White students (375 out of 1,166). The school also underperforms for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, ranking 930 out of 1,450 North Carolina elementary schools in this category. Nonetheless, The Arts Based School outperforms many of the nearby public schools in the Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools district, including The Downtown School, another high-performing magnet school in the area.


Detail:

Public, Charter K-8

 1380 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
       Winston Salem, NC  27101


(336) 748-4116

District: Arts Based School

SchoolDigger Rank:
438th of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools


Student/teacher ratio:  14.1 Help
Number of students:  579

Racial breakdown:

White:
67.0%
African American:
16.9%
Two or more races:
7.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  10% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details The Arts Based School ranks better than 70.9% of elementary schools in North Carolina. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 68.33. (See more...)
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Compare Details The Arts Based School ranks better than 89.2% of middle schools in North Carolina. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 87.11. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (67%), African American (16.9%), two or more races (7.9%). (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at The Arts Based School is 14.1. (See more...)
Help
Compare The Arts Based School employs 41 full-time teachers.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

The Arts Based School:

SchoolDigger ranks The Arts Based School 438th of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See The Arts Based School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks The Arts Based School 86th of 793 North Carolina public middle schools. (See The Arts Based School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
White students:


Arts Based School:

SchoolDigger ranks Arts Based School 26th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for The Arts Based School.

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Rank History for The Arts Based School

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Rank History for all elementary school students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 29.87 1009th 1276 20.9%
2007 39.33 901st 1293 30.3%
2008 35.71 921st 1324 30.4%
2009 55.60 690th 1354 49.0%
2010 39.97 932nd 1363 31.6%
2011 61.56 587th 1381 57.5%
2012 59.49 615th 1388 55.7%
2013 84.81 162nd 1403 88.5%
2014 79.93 239th 1390 82.8%
2015 74.55 331st 1440 77.0%
2016 76.81 284th 1425 80.1%
2017 70.23 399th 1429 72.1%
2018 66.08 485th 1434 66.2%
2019 72.09 366th 1473 75.2%
2021 79.24 256th 1489 82.8%
2022 68.19 432nd 1514 71.5%
2023 77.03 288th 1502 80.8%
2024 68.33 438th 1505 70.9%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Multi-racial students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 91.69 10th 154 93.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 77.73 82nd 801 89.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 61.91 460th 1437 68.0%
2024 39.32 930th 1450 35.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 56.26 647th 1405 54.0%
2019 62.53 512th 1424 64.0%
2021 72.48 322nd 1440 77.6%
2022 68.33 404th 1458 72.3%
2023 79.65 219th 1459 85.0%
2024 71.61 342nd 1455 76.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Disabled students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.68 301st 897 66.4%
2019 56.85 281st 878 68.0%
2021 68.92 106th 646 83.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for elementary school Gifted and Talented students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 43.23 525th 612 14.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.03 255th 1413 82.0%
2019 78.78 235th 1430 83.6%
2021 82.35 205th 1444 85.8%
2022 67.07 435th 1464 70.3%
2023 69.91 379th 1461 74.1%
2024 60.64 552nd 1464 62.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.18 662nd 927 28.6%
2019 46.43 497th 949 47.6%
2021 42.60 469th 896 47.7%
2022 9.37 920th 927 0.8%
2024 38.15 603rd 924 34.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 68.11 367th 1178 68.8%
2019 69.13 329th 1183 72.2%
2021 74.23 259th 1172 77.9%
2022 61.63 418th 1194 65.0%
2023 66.97 358th 1183 69.7%
2024 65.54 375th 1166 67.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for The Arts Based School

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Rank History for all middle school students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2014 85.59 68th 627 89.2%
2015 85.36 81st 705 88.5%
2016 81.10 100th 692 85.5%
2017 86.24 61st 694 91.2%
2018 81.46 98th 691 85.8%
2019 83.27 97th 737 86.8%
2021 82.69 101st 741 86.4%
2022 74.64 172nd 786 78.1%
2023 86.36 87th 784 88.9%
2024 87.11 86th 793 89.2%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 87.32 44th 735 94.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.50 123rd 656 81.3%
2019 75.95 144th 684 78.9%
2021 73.74 160th 706 77.3%
2022 70.69 189th 733 74.2%
2023 85.54 87th 731 88.1%
2024 83.49 102nd 738 86.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Gifted and Talented students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 38.09 351st 416 15.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 83.44 75th 665 88.7%
2019 86.58 68th 697 90.2%
2021 87.87 64th 711 91.0%
2022 75.59 157th 748 79.0%
2023 85.41 88th 747 88.2%
2024 88.62 67th 751 91.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.59 124th 494 74.9%
2019 63.36 123rd 519 76.3%
2021 57.45 148th 533 72.2%
2022 43.24 283rd 550 48.5%
2023 68.45 116th 559 79.2%
2024 44.95 286th 560 48.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at The Arts Based School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 73.44 132nd 596 77.9%
2019 84.80 77th 624 87.7%
2021 79.91 104th 632 83.5%
2022 83.58 90th 658 86.3%
2023 82.46 101st 656 84.6%
2024 86.33 71st 652 89.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

The Arts Based School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 








Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.5)
50%

0%

0%

50%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, January 15, 2018

Open Quote We loved this school... until we had an issue with a teacher and a school process. The school administration and Board of Directors and were entirely non-helpful. After researching our issue, I distributed materials to the Board and was allowed a few minutes to speak during a board meeting - during which time most of the attendees were looking down at their phones and not paying a bit of attention. I sent multiple follow-up emails... and no response. The issue was not resolved. The school administration thinks they are above reproach. My recommendation to other parents: proceed with caution. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, March 15, 2013

Open Quote We adore The Arts Based School. We have two children there and have watched them both blossom emotionally and academically in this wonderful, unique and innovative learning environment. The teachers are amazing, and you couldn't ask for a more engaged, capable or caring principal and staff. There is a true sense of community among ABS families as well that makes it such a special place. My advice to anyone who is wanting something more for their child than teaching to the test, being stressed about unending, pointless homework or anxiety over being timed in math drills is to TAKE A TOUR at ABS (call for an appt. the tours are given each Thursday morning). You really will be amazed at their curriculum and what this school offers its students! Close Quote



Enrollment information for The Arts Based School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2002 34 23 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 65
2003 34 23 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 65
2004 75 82 1 12 0 n/a n/a 0 170
2005 117 80 2 19 0 n/a n/a 0 218
2006 154 82 6 11 0 n/a n/a 0 253
2007 169 78 7 13 0 n/a n/a 13 280
2008 177 87 6 11 0 n/a n/a 0 281
2009 186 91 4 8 1 n/a n/a 0 290
2010 194 101 5 6 1 n/a n/a 0 307
2011 187 72 3 17 1 0 21 0 301
2012 183 78 5 17 1 0 23 0 307
2013 232 83 7 20 1 0 29 0 372
2014 290 92 11 21 1 0 31 0 446
2015 333 116 12 21 1 0 28 0 511
2016 342 118 8 20 1 0 29 0 518
2017 346 112 7 23 0 0 29 0 517
2018 357 99 6 20 1 0 35 0 518
2019 354 107 5 23 1 0 39 0 529
2020 371 93 4 20 1 0 32 0 521
2021 371 92 3 21 1 0 33 0 521
2022 353 93 1 22 1 0 37 0 507
2023 388 98 4 42 1 0 46 0 579

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at The Arts Based School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 65 5.0 13.0 0
2003 65 5.0 13.0 0
2004 170 12.0 14.2 38.2
2005 218 16.0 13.6 n/a
2006 253 16.0 15.8 25.3
2007 280 n/a n/a 27
2008 281 15.0 18.7 24.9
2009 290 16.0 18.1 24.8
2010 307 20.0 15.3 18.2
2011 301 19.8 15.2 23.3
2012 307 20.5 14.9 15.6
2013 372 23.6 15.7 1.3
2014 446 30.3 14.7 20.6
2015 511 31.0 16.4 17
2016 518 34.0 15.2 22.6
2017 517 38.0 13.6 17
2018 518 37.0 14.0 6
2019 529 36.5 14.4 10
2020 521 37.0 14.0 n/a
2021 521 37.7 13.8 n/a
2022 507 38.2 13.2 n/a
2023 579 41.0 14.1 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio The Arts Based School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 65 5.0 13.0 0
2003 65 5.0 13.0 0
2004 170 12.0 14.2 38.2
2005 218 16.0 13.6 n/a
2006 253 16.0 15.8 25.3
2007 280 n/a n/a 27
2008 281 15.0 18.7 24.9
2009 290 16.0 18.1 24.8
2010 307 20.0 15.3 18.2
2011 301 19.8 15.2 23.3
2012 307 20.5 14.9 15.6
2013 372 23.6 15.7 1.3
2014 446 30.3 14.7 20.6
2015 511 31.0 16.4 17
2016 518 34.0 15.2 22.6
2017 517 38.0 13.6 17
2018 518 37.0 14.0 6
2019 529 36.5 14.4 10
2020 521 37.0 14.0 n/a
2021 521 37.7 13.8 n/a
2022 507 38.2 13.2 n/a
2023 579 41.0 14.1 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on The Arts Based School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 366th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 288th of 1502 Elementary schools
 5.7%
Ranks 97th of 737 Middle schoolsRanks 87th of 784 Middle schools
 2.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (The Arts Based School)4550.8
 5.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (The Arts Based School)7063.5
 6.5%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (The Arts Based School)77.459
 18.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (The Arts Based School)74.265.6
 8.6%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (The Arts Based School)71.981.4
 9.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (The Arts Based School)60.379.7
 19.4%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (The Arts Based School)79.391.5
 12.2%
   5th Grade Science (North Carolina)72.665.3
 7.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (The Arts Based School)69.565.4
 4.1%
   6th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)58.852.3
 6.5%
6th Grade Reading (The Arts Based School)83.165.4
 17.7%
   6th Grade Reading (North Carolina)6049.3
 10.7%
7th Grade Mathematics (The Arts Based School)68.168.8
 0.7%
   7th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)58.450.1
 8.3%
7th Grade Reading (The Arts Based School)76.666.7
 9.9%
   7th Grade Reading (North Carolina)58.850.2
 8.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (The Arts Based School)67.474.4
 7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)52.644.8
 7.8%
8th Grade Reading (The Arts Based School)78.381.4
 3.1%
   8th Grade Reading (North Carolina)55.651
 4.6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students529579
 9.5%
African American10798
 8.4%
American Indian11
Asian54
 20%
Hispanic2342
 82.6%
Pacific Islander00
White354388
 9.6%
Two or More Races3946
 17.9%


Schools Near The Arts Based School









Frequently Asked Questions about The Arts Based School

The Arts Based School ranks 438th of 1505 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 579 students attended The Arts Based School.

Students at The Arts Based School are 67% White, 17% African American, 8% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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