Home > North Carolina > Forsyth County

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

Item: Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
Rating: 4
Author: Public School Review

475 Corporate Square Drive
Winston Salem, NC 27105

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (336) 727-2292

wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Top Rankings

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

81 Schools

2,729 Schools

# Students

51,745 Students

1,548,397 Students

# Teachers

3,609 Teachers

96,034 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

15:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
Pre-K	1,032	76
Kind	3,478	315
1	3,550	325
2	3,767	330
3	3,722	341
4	3,681	325
5	3,862	333
6	3,882	333
7	3,848	336
8	4,007	338
9	4,592	385
10	4,210	359
11	4,266	337
12	3,848	315

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

District Rank

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% 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 86% has increased from 84% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NC)

#222 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools
2023	#222
2022	#222
2021	#212
2019	#162
2018	#172
2017	#181
2016	#170
2015	#150
2014	#130
2013	#113
2012	#141

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(21-22)

42%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2022	42%	51%
2021	33%	42%
2019	39%	42%
2018	38%	48%
2017	42%	47%
2016	42%	47%
2015	41%	44%
2014	40%	43%
2013	40%	42%
2012	81%	82%
2011	82%	82%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

42%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2022	42%	50%
2021	41%	47%
2019	44%	46%
2018	38%	47%
2017	42%	46%
2016	42%	47%
2015	43%	46%
2014	44%	46%
2013	43%	45%
2012	69%	73%
2011	68%	70%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

55%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2022	55%	63%
2021	57%	61%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

86%

86.5%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2023	86%	86%
2022	85%	86%
2021	85%	85%
2020	86%	86%
2019	86%	85%
2018	84%	86%
2017	86%	88%
2016	86%	88%
2015	85%	87%
2014	84%	86%
2013	82%	85%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(2022-23)

42.5%

28.7%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2023	42.5%	28.7%
2022	46.6%	33.4%
2021	35.8%	25.4%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.72

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2023	0.72	0.71
2022	0.72	0.70
2021	0.72	0.69
2020	0.71	0.68
2019	0.71	0.68
2018	0.70	0.67
2017	0.70	0.67
2016	0.70	0.66
2015	0.69	0.66
2014	0.69	0.65
2013	0.69	0.65
2012	0.69	0.64
2011	0.68	0.64
2010	0.65	0.61
2009	0.65	0.61
2008	0.65	0.61
2007	0.64	0.60
2006	0.63	0.58
2005	0.62	0.58
2004	0.61	0.57
2003	0.60	0.56
2002	0.58	0.55
2001	0.57	0.53
2000	0.56	0.53
1999	0.55	0.52
1998	0.54	0.52
1997	0.53	0.50
1996	0.52	0.50
1995	0.51	0.49
1994	0.50	0.48
1993	0.49	0.48
1992	0.49	0.48
1991	0.48	0.48

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2023	3%	4%
2022	3%	4%
2021	3%	4%
2020	3%	3%
2019	3%	3%
2018	2%	3%
2017	2%	3%
2016	2%	3%
2015	2%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	3%	3%
2012	3%	3%
2011	2%	2%
2010	3%	3%
2009	2%	2%
2008	3%	3%
2007	3%	3%
2006	2%	2%
2005	2%	2%
2004	2%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	2%
1999	1%	2%
1998	1%	2%
1997	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hispanic

31%

22%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1993-2023)
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2023	29%	20%
2022	29%	20%
2021	28%	19%
2020	27%	18%
2019	27%	18%
2018	26%	17%
2017	26%	17%
2016	25%	16%
2015	24%	16%
2014	22%	15%
2013	22%	14%
2012	21%	13%
2011	20%	13%
2010	18%	11%
2009	17%	11%
2008	18%	11%
2007	16%	10%
2006	14%	8%
2005	13%	8%
2004	11%	7%
2003	10%	6%
2002	9%	5%
2001	7%	4%
2000	6%	4%
1999	5%	3%
1998	4%	3%
1997	3%	2%
1996	2%	2%
1995	2%	2%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Black

29%

24%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2023	30%	25%
2022	30%	25%
2021	30%	25%
2020	29%	25%
2019	29%	25%
2018	29%	26%
2017	29%	26%
2016	30%	26%
2015	29%	26%
2014	29%	26%
2013	29%	26%
2012	29%	26%
2011	30%	26%
2010	35%	31%
2009	36%	31%
2008	33%	29%
2007	34%	29%
2006	37%	32%
2005	37%	31%
2004	37%	31%
2003	38%	31%
2002	38%	31%
2001	38%	31%
2000	38%	31%
1999	38%	31%
1998	38%	30%
1997	38%	31%
1996	38%	31%
1995	38%	30%
1994	37%	30%
1993	37%	30%
1992	36%	30%
1991	37%	30%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% White

31%

42%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2023	33%	44%
2022	33%	45%
2021	35%	46%
2020	37%	48%
2019	37%	48%
2018	39%	49%
2017	39%	49%
2016	40%	50%
2015	41%	50%
2014	43%	51%
2013	43%	52%
2012	43%	53%
2011	44%	53%
2010	44%	54%
2009	45%	54%
2008	46%	55%
2007	47%	56%
2006	47%	56%
2005	48%	57%
2004	50%	58%
2003	51%	59%
2002	52%	60%
2001	54%	61%
2000	55%	61%
1999	56%	62%
1998	57%	63%
1997	58%	64%
1996	59%	64%
1995	59%	65%
1994	61%	66%
1993	61%	66%
1992	62%	66%
1991	62%	66%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2013-2023)
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2023	5%	6%
2022	5%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	4%	5%
2019	4%	5%
2018	4%	4%
2017	4%	4%
2016	3%	4%
2015	4%	4%
2014	4%	4%
2013	3%	4%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $11,234 is higher than the state median of $11,177. The school district revenue/student has declined by 18% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $12,061 is higher than the state median of $11,601. The school district spending/student has declined by 15% over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$581 MM

$17,307 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$747 MM	$11 MM
2022	$724 MM	$9 MM
2021	$581 MM	$8 MM
2020	$561 MM	$8 MM
2019	$546 MM	$8 MM
2018	$534 MM	$8 MM
2017	$502 MM	$8 MM
2016	$504 MM	$8 MM
2015	$597 MM	$18 MM
2014	$542 MM	$10 MM
2012	$462 MM	$17 MM
2011	$591 MM	$19 MM
2010	$597 MM	$18 MM
2009	$573 MM	$19 MM
2008	$506 MM	$18 MM
2007	$463 MM	$18 MM
2006	$426 MM	$15 MM
2005	$402 MM	$15 MM
2004	$413 MM	$17 MM
2003	$349 MM	$17 MM
2002	$349 MM	$16 MM
2001	$339 MM	$17 MM
2000	$324 MM	$20 MM
1999	$312 MM	$23 MM
1998	$266 MM	$26 MM
1997	$249 MM	$34 MM
1996	$229 MM	$34 MM
1995	$213 MM	$32 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending

$624 MM

$17,964 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$791 MM	$10 MM
2022	$748 MM	$9 MM
2021	$624 MM	$8 MM
2020	$577 MM	$8 MM
2019	$573 MM	$7 MM
2018	$574 MM	$8 MM
2017	$533 MM	$9 MM
2016	$517 MM	$8 MM
2015	$596 MM	$18 MM
2014	$508 MM	$11 MM
2012	$529 MM	$16 MM
2011	$557 MM	$17 MM
2010	$596 MM	$18 MM
2009	$567 MM	$18 MM
2008	$500 MM	$17 MM
2007	$480 MM	$18 MM
2006	$433 MM	$15 MM
2005	$408 MM	$15 MM
2004	$405 MM	$16 MM
2003	$355 MM	$17 MM
2002	$339 MM	$15 MM
2001	$330 MM	$17 MM
2000	$321 MM	$20 MM
1999	$318 MM	$24 MM
1998	$296 MM	$26 MM
1997	$266 MM	$36 MM
1996	$237 MM	$33 MM
1995	$220 MM	$32 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Revenue / Student

$11,234

$11,177

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$14,172	$13,656
2022	$13,739	$12,185
2021	$11,213	$10,282
2020	$10,278	$9,918
2019	$9,986	$9,125
2018	$9,647	$9,419
2017	$9,083	$10,522
2016	$9,163	$9,128
2015	$10,905	$10,864
2014	$10,147	$9,046
2012	$8,664	$10,562
2011	$11,073	$12,703
2010	$11,311	$10,864
2009	$10,838	$11,105
2008	$9,772	$11,767
2007	$9,023	$9,479
2006	$8,498	$9,335
2005	$8,240	$8,913
2004	$8,643	$8,734
2003	$7,462	$8,577
2002	$7,632	$8,130
2001	$7,579	$7,294
2000	$7,422	$7,636
1999	$7,281	$7,252
1998	$6,283	$5,688
1997	$5,956	$5,690
1995	$5,375	$5,545
1992	$5,026	$4,737

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending / Student

$12,061

$11,601

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$15,007	$12,720
2022	$14,195	$11,976
2021	$12,038	$9,990
2020	$10,574	$9,654
2019	$10,479	$8,949
2018	$10,377	$9,637
2017	$9,649	$11,583
2016	$9,402	$9,753
2015	$10,884	$10,591
2014	$9,516	$9,388
2012	$9,917	$10,336
2011	$10,434	$11,927
2010	$11,290	$10,591
2009	$10,722	$10,880
2008	$9,672	$11,136
2007	$9,359	$9,418
2006	$8,641	$8,813
2005	$8,358	$8,647
2004	$8,477	$8,413
2003	$7,582	$8,886
2002	$7,425	$7,903
2001	$7,365	$7,301
2000	$7,356	$7,650
1999	$7,422	$7,340
1998	$6,988	$5,663
1997	$6,359	$6,040
1995	$5,566	$5,570
1992	$5,164	$4,725

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools?

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools manages 81 public schools serving 51,745 students.

What is the rank of Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools?

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools is ranked #221 out of 314 school districts in North Carolina (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools?

31% of Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools students are Hispanic, 31% of students are White, 29% of students are Black, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Asian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools?

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 16:1.

What is Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $12,061 is higher than the state median of $11,601. The school district spending/student has declined by 15% over four school years.

Recent Articles

September 09, 2026

School Leadership Matters: Evaluating a Principal

Learn how to evaluate a public school principal before enrolling by examining leadership stability, teacher support, communication, school culture, instructional priorities, discipline, family engagement, and measurable improvement efforts.

September 09, 2026

Comparing Before- and After-School Programs

Learn how to compare before- and after-school programs when choosing a public school, including hours, costs, staffing, safety, activities, enrollment rules, transportation, meals, and daily convenience for families.

September 09, 2026

Choosing a Public School During Budget Uncertainty

Learn which questions parents should ask when choosing a public school during budget uncertainty, including staffing, programs, class sizes, transportation, reserves, enrollment trends, and planned reductions ahead.

Quick Facts (2026-27)

District size: 81 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 51,745 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 68%
: 86% (Top 50% in NC)
: Bottom 50%
: 42% (Btm 50%)
: 42% (Btm 50%)
: 55% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education