For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 8,327 students in Wilkes County, NC (there are 6 private schools, serving 553 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Wilkes County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Wilkes County, NC are Wilkes Early College High School, Moravian Falls Elementary School and Ronda-clingman Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wilkes County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 58% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Wilkes County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Wilkes County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Wilkes Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1328 S Collegiate Dr
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 838-6247
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 838-6247
Gr: 9-13 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Moravian Falls Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2001 Moravian Falls Rd
Moravian Falls, NC 28654
(336) 838-4077
Moravian Falls, NC 28654
(336) 838-4077
Gr: PK-5 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #33.
Ronda-clingman Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
316 Ronda-clingman School Rd
Ronda, NC 28670
(336) 651-4200
Ronda, NC 28670
(336) 651-4200
Gr: PK-5 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
Wilkes Central High School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1179 Moravian Falls Rd
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 667-5277
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 667-5277
Gr: 9-12 | 719 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #55.
West Wilkes High School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6598 Boone Trail
Millers Creek, NC 28651
(336) 903-6710
Millers Creek, NC 28651
(336) 903-6710
Gr: 9-12 | 582 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #66.
Mulberry Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
190 Mulberry School Rd
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
(336) 667-4641
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
(336) 667-4641
Gr: PK-5 | 419 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #77.
Millers Creek Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4320 North Nc Hwy 16
Millers Creek, NC 28651
(336) 903-6000
Millers Creek, NC 28651
(336) 903-6000
Gr: PK-5 | 699 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #88.
Wilkesboro Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1248 School St
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 838-4261
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 838-4261
Gr: PK-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #99.
Roaring River Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
283 White Plains Rd
Roaring River, NC 28669
(336) 696-4628
Roaring River, NC 28669
(336) 696-4628
Gr: PK-5 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1010.
East Wilkes Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2202 Macedonia Church Road
Ronda, NC 28670
(336) 651-4300
Ronda, NC 28670
(336) 651-4300
Gr: 6-8 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1111.
Mount Pleasant Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
532 Champion Mt Pleasant Rd
Ferguson, NC 28624
(336) 651-7600
Ferguson, NC 28624
(336) 651-7600
Gr: PK-5 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1212.
West Wilkes Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1677 North Nc Hwy 16
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 651-4381
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 651-4381
Gr: 6-8 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1313.
Traphill Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
9794 Traphill Rd
Traphill, NC 28685
(336) 651-7160
Traphill, NC 28685
(336) 651-7160
Gr: K-5 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1414.
Mountain View Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5464 Mountain View Rd
Hays, NC 28635
(336) 696-5512
Hays, NC 28635
(336) 696-5512
Gr: PK-5 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1515.
North Wilkes Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2776 Yellow Banks Road
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
(336) 903-6224
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
(336) 903-6224
Gr: 6-8 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1616.
East Wilkes High School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
13315 Elkin Hwy 268
Ronda, NC 28670
(336) 651-7200
Ronda, NC 28670
(336) 651-7200
Gr: 9-12 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1717.
North Wilkes High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2986 Traphill Rd
Hays, NC 28635
(336) 903-4040
Hays, NC 28635
(336) 903-4040
Gr: 9-12 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1818.
C C Wright Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 Cc Wright School Rd
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
(336) 838-5513
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
(336) 838-5513
Gr: PK-5 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1919.
North Wilkesboro Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 Flint Hill Rd
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
(336) 838-2872
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
(336) 838-2872
Gr: PK-5 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2020.
Central Wilkes Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3541 South Nc Hwy 16
Moravian Falls, NC 28654
(336) 903-4180
Moravian Falls, NC 28654
(336) 903-4180
Gr: 6-8 | 564 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2121.
Boomer-ferguson Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
556 Boomer-ferguson Sch Rd
Boomer, NC 28606
(336) 651-8900
Boomer, NC 28606
(336) 651-8900
Gr: K-5 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Wilkes County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Wilkes County, NC include Wilkes Early College High School, Moravian Falls Elementary School and Ronda-clingman Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Wilkes County?
21 public schools are located in Wilkes County.
What percentage of students in Wilkes County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Wilkes County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wilkes County?
Wilkes County public schools minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Wilkes County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Wilkes County include: West Wilkes High School vs. Wilkes Central High School, Wilkes Central High School vs. West Wilkes High School, Wilkes Early College High School vs. West Wilkes High School
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