For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public high schools serving 12,011 students in Winston Salem, NC.
The top-ranked public high schools in Winston Salem, NC are Atkins Academic & Tech High School, Early College Of Forsyth Co and Oak Grove High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Winston Salem, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Winston Salem have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
Winston Salem, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Atkins Academic & Tech High School, with ≥99% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Winston Salem, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Atkins Academic & Tech High School
Magnet School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3605 Old Greensboro Road
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6754
Gr: 9-12 | 1,187 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #22.
Early College Of Forsyth Co
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2100 Silas Creek Prky
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 757-3290
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 757-3290
Gr: 9-12 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #33.
Oak Grove High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3507 Midway School Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 474-8280
Winston Salem, NC 27107
(336) 474-8280
Gr: 9-12 | 992 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #44.
R J Reynolds High School
Magnet School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 N Hawthorne Road
Winston Salem, NC 27104
(336) 703-4145
Winston Salem, NC 27104
(336) 703-4145
Gr: 9-12 | 1,759 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #55.
Mount Tabor High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
342 Petree Road
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-6700
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 703-6700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,426 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #66.
Quality Education Academy
Charter School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5012-d Lansing Drive
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 744-7138
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 744-7138
Gr: K-12 | 776 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #77.
Parkland High School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1600 Brewer Road
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 771-4700
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 771-4700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,569 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #88.
Carter High School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
851 Highland Court
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4119
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4119
Gr: 9-12 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #99.
Paisley Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1394 Thurmond St
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 703-4168
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 703-4168
Gr: 6-10 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1010.
J F Kennedy High School
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
890 E 11th Street
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4143
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4143
Gr: 6-12 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1111.
Carver High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3545 Carver School Road
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 727-2987
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 727-2987
Gr: 9-12 | 728 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1212.
North Forsyth Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5705 Shattalon Drive
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 661-4880
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 661-4880
Gr: 9-12 | 1,084 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1313.
Carter G. Woodson School
Charter School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
437 Goldfloss Street
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 723-6838
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 723-6838
Gr: K-12 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #1414.
Lowrance Middle School
Special Education School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1394 Thurmond St
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 703-4181
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 703-4181
Gr: 6-10 | 129 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1515.
Kingswood School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
271 Mercantile Drive
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 703-4128
Winston Salem, NC 27105
(336) 703-4128
Gr: PK-12 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1616.
Main Street Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2700 S. Main Street
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 703-4185
Winston Salem, NC 27127
(336) 703-4185
Gr: 6-12 | 63 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1717.
Winston-salem Preparatory Academy
Magnet School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1215 North Cameron Avenue
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6732
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-6732
Gr: 6-12 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Career Center
Vocational School
910 Highland Court
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 727-8181
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 727-8181
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
2020 E 12th St
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4250
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 703-4250
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
2100 Silas Creek Parkway
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 734-7437
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 734-7437
Gr: 11-12 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Winston Salem, NC?
The top-ranked public high schools in Winston Salem, NC include Atkins Academic & Tech High School, Early College Of Forsyth Co and Oak Grove High School.
How many public high schools are located in Winston Salem?
20 public high schools are located in Winston Salem.
What is the racial composition of students in Winston Salem?
Winston Salem public high schools minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public high schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Winston Salem are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Winston Salem include: Main Street Academy vs. Kingswood School, Parkland High School vs. R J Reynolds High School, R J Reynolds High School vs. Mount Tabor High School
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