Best Public Schools in Zip Code 27822

The 27822 zip code area is home to 3 schools - 2 elementary schools and 1 middle school - that serve a diverse student population with a high percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients. Among these schools, Gardners Elementary and Elm City Middle stand out as high-performing institutions, consistently ranking among the top schools in their respective categories in North Carolina.

Gardners Elementary is a standout, ranking 161 out of 1,505 North Carolina elementary schools and earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. Despite serving a high-need student population, with 98.63% of students receiving free/reduced lunch, the school consistently outperforms the Wilson County Schools district and the state averages in Math and Reading. Elm City Middle also shines, ranking 178 out of 793 North Carolina middle schools and earning a 4-star rating. The school's strong performance in Math, Reading, and 8th grade Science demonstrates its ability to provide a well-rounded education to its diverse student body, which is 43.24% White, 33.33% African American, and 16.44% Hispanic.

While the schools in the 27822 zip code area have varying levels of racial diversity, the data suggests that higher per-student spending does not necessarily translate to better student outcomes. Gardners Elementary, with the highest per-student spending at $10,906, outperforms the other schools, while Elm City Middle, with the lowest per-student spending at $7,994, also performs exceptionally well. This finding highlights the importance of effective teaching and learning practices in driving student success, even in high-poverty areas.