For the 2026 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 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Watauga County (2026)
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 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
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 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
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 | 854 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #44.
Valle Crucis Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
175 Pioneer Trail
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 963-4712
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 963-4712
Gr: PK-8 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
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 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
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 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
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 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
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 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
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 60% (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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