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Watauga County Schools

Item: Watauga County Schools
Rating: 9
Author: Public School Review

175 Pioneer Trail
Boone, NC 28607

( shown in map)

Top 20%

Tel: (828) 264-7190

www.wataugaschools.org

Top Rankings

Watauga County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

11 Schools

2,149 Schools

# Students

4,658 Students

1,095,543 Students

# Teachers

336 Teachers

71,743 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

13:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
Pre-K	108	75
Kind	277	315
1	333	325
2	320	331
3	337	341
4	327	325
5	326	333
6	345	333
7	341	325
8	363	327

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District Rank

Watauga County Schools, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 314 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 90% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NC)

#61 out of 325 school districts
(Top 20%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools
2023	#61
2022	#61
2021	#77
2019	#61
2018	#62
2017	#57
2016	#63
2015	#55
2014	#55
2013	#41
2012	#51

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(21-22)

65%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2022	65%	51%
2021	53%	42%
2019	52%	42%
2018	53%	48%
2017	57%	47%
2016	56%	47%
2015	56%	44%
2014	53%	43%
2013	52%	42%
2012	90%	82%
2011	90%	82%

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63%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2022	63%	50%
2021	59%	47%
2019	59%	46%
2018	53%	47%
2017	60%	46%
2016	61%	47%
2015	63%	46%
2014	59%	46%
2013	57%	45%
2012	84%	73%
2011	81%	70%

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74%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2022	74%	63%
2021	74%	61%

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(21-22)

89%

86%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2022	89%	86%
2021	92%	85%
2020	93%	86%
2019	90%	85%
2018	90%	86%
2017	91%	88%
2016	91%	88%
2015	88%	87%
2014	87%	86%
2013	88%	85%
2012	85%	83%

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(2022-23)

18.2%

28.7%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	18.2%	28.7%
2022	18%	33.4%
2021	6.4%	25.4%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.32

0.72

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	0.35	0.71
2022	0.32	0.70
2021	0.28	0.69
2020	0.28	0.68
2019	0.28	0.68
2018	0.26	0.67
2017	0.26	0.67
2016	0.24	0.66
2015	0.23	0.66
2014	0.24	0.65
2013	0.24	0.65
2012	0.26	0.64
2011	0.23	0.64
2010	0.19	0.61
2009	0.17	0.61
2008	0.14	0.61
2007	0.10	0.60
2006	0.13	0.58
2005	0.12	0.58
2004	0.10	0.57
2003	0.09	0.56
2002	0.09	0.55
2001	0.09	0.53
2000	0.06	0.53
1999	0.06	0.52
1998	0.06	0.52
1997	0.06	0.50
1996	0.05	0.50
1995	0.05	0.49
1994	0.05	0.48
1993	0.05	0.48
1992	0.05	0.48
1991	0.04	0.48

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1997-2023)
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	2%	4%
2022	2%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	2%	3%
2019	2%	3%
2018	1%	3%
2017	1%	3%
2016	1%	3%
2015	2%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	2%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	2%	2%
2010	1%	3%
2009	2%	2%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	2%	2%
2005	1%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	2%	2%
1999	1%	2%
1998	1%	2%
1997	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

12%

22%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	10%	20%
2022	10%	20%
2021	10%	19%
2020	9%	18%
2019	9%	18%
2018	10%	17%
2017	10%	17%
2016	9%	16%
2015	8%	16%
2014	7%	15%
2013	7%	14%
2012	7%	13%
2011	6%	13%
2010	5%	11%
2009	4%	11%
2008	4%	11%
2007	3%	10%
2006	2%	8%
2005	2%	8%
2004	1%	7%
2003	1%	6%
2002	1%	5%
2001	2%	4%
2000	1%	4%
1999	1%	3%

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% Black

24%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	1%	25%
2022	1%	25%
2021	1%	25%
2020	1%	25%
2019	1%	25%
2018	1%	26%
2017	1%	26%
2014	1%	26%
2013	1%	26%
2012	1%	26%
2011	1%	26%
2010	4%	31%
2009	3%	31%
2008	1%	29%
2007	1%	29%
2006	3%	32%
2005	3%	31%
2004	3%	31%
2003	2%	31%
2002	2%	31%
2001	2%	31%
2000	2%	31%
1999	2%	31%
1998	1%	30%
1997	2%	31%
1996	2%	31%
1995	2%	30%
1994	1%	30%
1993	3%	30%
1992	2%	30%
1991	2%	30%

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% White

82%

42%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	80%	44%
2022	82%	45%
2021	84%	46%
2020	85%	48%
2019	85%	48%
2018	86%	49%
2017	86%	49%
2016	87%	50%
2015	87%	50%
2014	87%	51%
2013	87%	52%
2012	86%	53%
2011	88%	53%
2010	90%	54%
2009	91%	54%
2008	93%	55%
2007	95%	56%
2006	93%	56%
2005	94%	57%
2004	95%	58%
2003	96%	59%
2002	95%	60%
2001	96%	61%
2000	97%	61%
1999	96%	62%
1998	97%	63%
1997	97%	64%
1996	97%	64%
1995	98%	65%
1994	98%	66%
1993	97%	66%
1992	98%	66%
1991	98%	66%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	7%	6%
2022	5%	5%
2021	3%	5%
2020	3%	5%
2019	3%	5%
2018	2%	4%
2017	2%	4%
2016	3%	4%
2015	3%	4%
2014	3%	4%
2013	3%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,174 is higher than the state median of $11,170. The school district revenue/student has grown by 8% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $12,156 is higher than the state median of $11,594. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$57 MM

$17,307 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$57 MM	$8 MM
2022	$53 MM	$8 MM
2021	$57 MM	$8 MM
2020	$53 MM	$8 MM
2019	$52 MM	$8 MM
2018	$49 MM	$8 MM
2017	$48 MM	$8 MM
2016	$46 MM	$8 MM
2015	$52 MM	$18 MM
2014	$43 MM	$10 MM
2012	$44 MM	$17 MM
2011	$52 MM	$19 MM
2010	$52 MM	$18 MM
2009	$54 MM	$19 MM
2008	$52 MM	$18 MM
2007	$36 MM	$18 MM
2006	$42 MM	$15 MM
2005	$40 MM	$15 MM
2004	$36 MM	$17 MM
2003	$37 MM	$17 MM
2002	$36 MM	$16 MM
2001	$37 MM	$17 MM
2000	$34 MM	$20 MM
1999	$34 MM	$23 MM
1998	$33 MM	$26 MM
1997	$29 MM	$34 MM
1996	$24 MM	$34 MM
1995	$24 MM	$32 MM

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Spending

$57 MM

$17,964 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$57 MM	$8 MM
2022	$54 MM	$8 MM
2021	$57 MM	$8 MM
2020	$54 MM	$8 MM
2019	$53 MM	$7 MM
2018	$50 MM	$8 MM
2017	$49 MM	$9 MM
2016	$47 MM	$8 MM
2015	$50 MM	$18 MM
2014	$47 MM	$11 MM
2012	$46 MM	$16 MM
2011	$47 MM	$17 MM
2010	$50 MM	$18 MM
2009	$52 MM	$18 MM
2008	$44 MM	$17 MM
2007	$41 MM	$18 MM
2006	$40 MM	$15 MM
2005	$38 MM	$15 MM
2004	$37 MM	$16 MM
2003	$36 MM	$17 MM
2002	$37 MM	$15 MM
2001	$36 MM	$17 MM
2000	$33 MM	$20 MM
1999	$32 MM	$24 MM
1998	$31 MM	$26 MM
1997	$28 MM	$36 MM
1996	$26 MM	$33 MM
1995	$24 MM	$32 MM

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Revenue / Student

$12,174

$11,170

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$11,928	$10,093
2022	$11,185	$9,918
2021	$12,427	$10,282
2020	$11,185	$9,918
2019	$11,132	$9,125
2018	$10,485	$9,419
2017	$10,722	$10,522
2016	$10,407	$9,128
2015	$11,756	$10,864
2014	$9,883	$9,046
2012	$9,499	$10,562
2011	$11,519	$12,703
2010	$11,506	$10,864
2009	$11,735	$11,105
2008	$11,667	$11,767
2007	$9,054	$9,479
2006	$9,215	$9,335
2005	$8,713	$8,913
2004	$7,753	$8,734
2003	$7,860	$8,577
2002	$7,476	$8,130
2001	$7,596	$7,294
2000	$6,996	$7,636
1999	$7,059	$7,252
1998	$6,684	$5,688
1997	$5,999	$5,690
1995	$4,996	$5,545
1992	$4,721	$4,737

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Spending / Student

$12,156

$11,594

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$11,910	$9,807
2022	$11,326	$9,654
2021	$12,409	$9,990
2020	$11,326	$9,654
2019	$11,245	$8,949
2018	$10,727	$9,637
2017	$10,998	$11,583
2016	$10,730	$9,753
2015	$11,238	$10,591
2014	$10,967	$9,388
2012	$10,009	$10,336
2011	$10,521	$11,927
2010	$10,999	$10,591
2009	$11,243	$10,880
2008	$9,876	$11,136
2007	$10,408	$9,418
2006	$8,786	$8,813
2005	$8,277	$8,647
2004	$7,790	$8,413
2003	$7,541	$8,886
2002	$7,699	$7,903
2001	$7,374	$7,301
2000	$6,804	$7,650
1999	$6,719	$7,340
1998	$6,307	$5,663
1997	$5,675	$6,040
1995	$5,077	$5,570
1992	$4,738	$4,725

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Best Watauga County Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Blowing Rock Elementary School

(Math: 72% | Reading: 72%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

165 Morris Street
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-3204

Gr: PK-8 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

Rank: #22.

Parkway Elementary School

(Math: 72% | Reading: 70%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

160 Parkway School Dr
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3032

Gr: PK-8 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%

Rank: #33.

Hardin Park Elementary School

(Math: 71% | Reading: 60%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

361 Jefferson Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-8481

Gr: PK-8 | 854 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%

Rank: #44.

Valle Crucis Elementary School

(Math: 60% | Reading: 63%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

175 Pioneer Trail
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 963-4712

Gr: PK-8 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%

Rank: #55.

Watauga Virtual Academy

(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

175 Pioneer Trail
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-7190

Gr: K-8 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 40%

Rank: #66.

Cove Creek Elementary School

(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

930 Vanderpool Rd
Vilas, NC 28692
(828) 297-2781

Gr: PK-8 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%

Rank: #77.

Bethel Elementary School

(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

138 Bethel School Rd
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
(828) 297-2240

Gr: PK-8 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 10%

Rank: #88.

Green Valley Elementary School

(Math: 46% | Reading: 47%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

189 Big Hill Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3606

Gr: PK-8 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%

Rank: #99.

Mabel Elementary School

(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

404 Mabel School Road
Zionville, NC 28698
(828) 297-2512

Gr: PK-8 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 11 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 4,658 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Minority Enrollment: 18%
: 89% (Top 20% in NC)
: Top 20%
: 65% (Top 20%)
: 63% (Top 30%)
: 74% (Top 30%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education