Best Schools in Watauga County, NC
Watauga County, NC has 19 public schools (4 high, 2 middle, 13 elementary) serving 8,020 students. On average they score 62% on state proficiency tests against a projected 53%, so schools in Watauga County meet expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in Watauga County, NC
The top high schools in Watauga County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Watauga High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Watauga County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1272 Students
2. Watauga Innovation Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Watauga County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 274 Students
3. West Wilkes High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Wilkes County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 628 Students
4. Ashe County High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Ashe County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 792 Students
Best Middle Schools in Watauga County, NC
The top middle schools in Watauga County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Ashe County Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Ashe County Schools • Public • Grades 7 - 8 • 440 Students
2. West Wilkes Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Wilkes County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 468 Students
Best Elementary Schools in Watauga County, NC
The top elementary schools in Watauga County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Blowing Rock Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Watauga County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 8 • 431 Students
2. Parkway Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Watauga County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 8 • 647 Students
3. Hardin Park Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Watauga County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 8 • 851 Students
4. Valle Crucis Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Watauga County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 8 • 342 Students
5. Westwood Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Ashe County Schools • Public • Grades KG - 6 • 480 Students
6. Two Rivers Community School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Two Rivers Community School • Charter • Grades KG - 8 • 164 Students
7. Cove Creek Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Watauga County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 8 • 294 Students
8. Bethel Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Watauga County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 8 • 134 Students
9. Watauga Virtual Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Watauga County Schools • Public • Grades KG - 8 • 44 Students
10. Green Valley Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Watauga County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 8 • 309 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in Watauga County, NC
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
Watauga County, NC has a total population of 54,086 with 40% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 90%, and 48% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in Watauga County, NC
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood Watauga County, NC.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
24.65 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
4.03 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
20.62 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in Watauga County, NC.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for Watauga County, NC.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit Watauga County, NC Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in Watauga County, NC
How many schools are in Watauga County, NC?
Watauga County, NC has 19 public schools: 4 high schools, 2 middle schools and 13 elementary schools, serving 8,020 students in total.
How do schools in Watauga County perform on state tests?
On average, 19 schools in Watauga County score 62% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 53%, so on average schools in Watauga County meet expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in Watauga County?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near Watauga County, NC
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 48%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 60%
- Projected: 56%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 29%
- Projected: 34%
- Impact Grade: Underperforms Expectations
- Actual: 50%
- Projected: 45%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 41%
- Projected: 39%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 51%
- Projected: 47%
- Impact Grade: Underperforms Expectations
- Actual: 57%
- Projected: 50%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 51%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 58%
- Projected: 54%
- Impact Grade: Underperforms Expectations
- Actual: 81%
- Projected: 53%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
Cities, towns and school districts in Watauga County
5 places in Watauga County with graded public schools. Each link opens that place's ranked schools.
Cities and towns (5)
- Boone (7)
- Sugar Grove (2)
- Blowing Rock (1)
- Vilas (1)
- Zionville (1)
School districts (1)
- Watauga County Schools (11 schools)