Best Wilson County Public Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 29 public schools serving 12,882 students in Wilson County, NC (there are 6 private schools, serving 1,311 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Wilson County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Wilson County, NC are Wilson Early College Academy, Rock Ridge Elementary School and Lucama Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wilson County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Wilson County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Wilson County (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Wilson Early College Academy
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
902 Herring St
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 246-1418
Gr: 9-13 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #22.
Rock Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
6605 Rock Ridge School Rd
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7955
Gr: K-5 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Lucama Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6260 Blalock Road
Lucama, NC 27851
(252) 239-1257
Gr: PK-5 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
New Hope Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4826 Packhouse Rd
Wilson, NC 27896
(252) 399-7950
Gr: K-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #55.
Wilson Academy Of Applied Technology
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4809 Ward Blvd
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 265-4038
Gr: 9-13 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #66.
Wilson Academy Of Virtual Education
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
117 Ne Tarboro St
Wilson, NC 27894
(252) 399-7700
Gr: 4-12 | 51 students Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
Gardners Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5404 Nc 42 Hwy E
Elm City, NC 27822
(252) 399-7920
Gr: K-5 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #88.
Sallie B Howard School
Charter School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1004 Herring Avenue E
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 293-4150
Gr: K-12 | 1,251 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #99.
Elm City Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
215 E Church St
Elm City, NC 27822
(252) 236-4148
Gr: 6-8 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1010.
Springfield Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5551 Wiggins Mill Rd
Lucama, NC 27851
(252) 239-1347
Gr: 6-8 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1111.
Coopers Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6833 Nc Highway 58
Elm City, NC 27822
(252) 937-9035
Gr: PK-5 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1212.
James Hunt High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4559 Lamm Rd
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7930
Gr: 9-12 | 1,115 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1313.
Wells Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1400 Grove St N
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7986
Gr: K-5 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Frederick Douglass Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1301 Corbett Ave
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 236-4574
Gr: K-5 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Vinson-bynum Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1601 Tarboro St Sw
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7981
Gr: K-5 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1616.
Beddingfield High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4510 Old Stantonsburg Rd
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7880
Gr: 9-12 | 683 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1717.
Wilson Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2755 Tilghman Rd N
Wilson, NC 27894
(252) 294-2533
Gr: K-12 | 755 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1818.
Stantonsburg Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
409 S Main St
Stantonsburg, NC 27883
(252) 238-3639
Gr: K-5 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1919.
Fike High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Harrison Dr N
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7905
Gr: 9-12 | 1,023 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2020.
Forest Hills Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1210 Forest Hills
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7913
Gr: 6-8 | 626 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #2121.
John W Jones Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4028 Highway 42 West
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 265-4020
Gr: PK-5 | 584 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2222.
Speight Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5514 Old Stantonsburg Road
Stantonsburg, NC 27883
(252) 238-3983
Gr: 6-8 | 281 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #2323.
Lee Woodard Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
103 Church St
Black Creek, NC 27813
(252) 399-7940
Gr: K-5 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2424.
B O Barnes Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1913 Martin L King Parkway
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7875
Gr: K-5 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2525.
Margaret Hearne Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
300 W Gold St
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7925
Gr: PK-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2626.
Charles H Darden Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1665 Lipscomb Road
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 206-4973
Gr: 6-8 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2727.
Eastern Nc School For The Deaf
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1311 Hwy 301 South
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 237-2450
Gr: K-12 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2828.
Vick Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
504 N Carroll Street
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7886
Gr: K-5 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2929.
Milton M Daniels Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
723 Elvie Street
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7900
Gr: 3-12 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Wilson County, NC

Wilson County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
639 East Walnut Street
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7870
Gr: 3-12 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
1311 Us Hwy 301 South
Wilson, NC 27894
(252) 237-2450
Gr: K-12
1301 Corbett Ave N
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7973
Gr: 6-8 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
1713 Downing St Sw
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-7990
Gr: K-5 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Wilson County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Wilson County, NC include Wilson Early College Academy, Rock Ridge Elementary School and Lucama Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Wilson County?
29 public schools are located in Wilson County.
What percentage of students in Wilson County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Wilson County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wilson County?
Wilson County public schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Wilson County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.