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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Wilson County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 29 public schools serving 12,882 students in Wilson County, NC (there are 6 private schools, serving 1,295 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Wilson County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
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 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Wilson County (2026)

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 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 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 | 476 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 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 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 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
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 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
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: 6-12 | 44 students Minority enrollment: 41%
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 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
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 | 1,228 students 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 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
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 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
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 | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
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 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
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: PK-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
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 | 339 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
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 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
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 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
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 | 725 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
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 | 184 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 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 | 1,028 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
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 | 654 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
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 | 601 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
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: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
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 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
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 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
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 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
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 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2727.
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 | 359 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2828.
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: 2-12 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: n/an/a
Eastern Nc School For The Deaf
Special Education School
1311 Hwy 301 South
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 237-2450
Gr: K-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 81%

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 93%).
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 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Wilson County are often viewed compared to one another?

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