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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Watauga County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 4,911 students in Watauga County, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 191 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Watauga County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Watauga County, NC are Watauga High School, Blowing Rock Elementary School and Parkway Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Watauga County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 65% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Watauga County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% 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 Watauga County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Watauga High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
300 Go Pioneers Drive
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-2407
Gr: 9-12 | 1,289 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Blowing Rock Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
165 Morris Street
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-3204
Gr: PK-8 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Parkway Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
160 Parkway School Dr
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3032
Gr: PK-8 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Watauga Innovation Academy
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
300 Go Pioneers Drive
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-2407
Gr: 9-12 | 292 students Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #55.
Two Rivers Community School
Charter School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1018 Archie Carroll Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 262-5411
Gr: K-8 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Hardin Park Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
361 Jefferson Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-8481
Gr: PK-8 | 854 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #77.
Valle Crucis Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
175 Pioneer Trail
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 963-4712
Gr: PK-8 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #88.
Watauga Virtual Academy
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
175 Pioneer Trail
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-7190
Gr: K-8 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #99.
Cove Creek Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
930 Vanderpool Rd
Vilas, NC 28692
(828) 297-2781
Gr: PK-8 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1010.
Bethel Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
138 Bethel School Rd
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
(828) 297-2240
Gr: PK-8 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1111.
Green Valley Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
189 Big Hill Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3606
Gr: PK-8 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1212.
Mabel Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
404 Mabel School Road
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 schools in Watauga County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Watauga County, NC include Watauga High School, Blowing Rock Elementary School and Parkway Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Watauga County?
12 public schools are located in Watauga County.
What percentage of students in Watauga County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Watauga County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Watauga County?
Watauga County public schools minority enrollment is 17% 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 Watauga County are often viewed compared to one another?

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