For the 2025-26 school year, there are 8 public preschools serving 3,138 students in Watauga County, NC.
The top ranked public preschools in Watauga County, NC are Blowing Rock Elementary School, Parkway Elementary School and Hardin Park Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Watauga County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Watauga County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Watauga County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Blowing Rock Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
165 Morris Street
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-3204
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-3204
Gr: PK-8 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Parkway Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
160 Parkway School Dr
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3032
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3032
Gr: PK-8 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #33.
Hardin Park Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
361 Jefferson Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-8481
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-8481
Gr: PK-8 | 859 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #44.
Valle Crucis Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2998 Broadstone Road
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
(828) 963-4712
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
(828) 963-4712
Gr: PK-8 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #55.
Cove Creek Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
930 Vanderpool Rd
Vilas, NC 28692
(828) 297-2781
Vilas, NC 28692
(828) 297-2781
Gr: PK-8 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #66.
Bethel Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
138 Bethel School Rd
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
(828) 297-2240
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
(828) 297-2240
Gr: PK-8 | 143 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #77.
Green Valley Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
189 Big Hill Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3606
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3606
Gr: PK-8 | 268 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #88.
Mabel Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
404 Mabel School Road
Zionville, NC 28698
(828) 297-2512
Zionville, NC 28698
(828) 297-2512
Gr: PK-8 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Watauga County, NC?
The top ranked public preschools in Watauga County, NC include Blowing Rock Elementary School, Parkway Elementary School and Hardin Park Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Watauga County?
8 public preschools are located in Watauga County.
What is the racial composition of students in Watauga County?
Watauga County public preschools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Watauga County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Watauga County include: Cove Creek Elementary School vs. Valle Crucis Elementary School, Valle Crucis Elementary School vs. Cove Creek Elementary School, Green Valley Elementary School vs. Hardin Park Elementary School
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