Item: Watauga County Schools
Rating: 9
Author: �鶹������ý

Home > North Carolina > Watauga County

Watauga County Schools

175 Pioneer Trail
Boone, NC 28607

( shown in map)

Top 20%

Tel: (828) 264-7190

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="top-rankings">Top Rankings

Watauga County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Category

Attribute

Overall Rank

Highest overall rank (Top 20%)

Math Proficiency

Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)

Graduation Rate

Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)

Community Size

Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

Student Attention

Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)

For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 3,162 students in Watauga County Schools. This district's average middle is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public middle schools in North Carolina.

Public Middle Schools in Watauga County Schools have an score of 63% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and score of 61% (versus the 50% statewide average).

Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="overview">Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

11 Schools

879 Schools

# Students

4,746 Students

493,495 Students

# Teachers

396 Teachers

31,615 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

11:1

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="student-by-grade">Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
Pre-K	114	5
Kind	333	47
1	325	48
2	330	48
3	321	47
4	337	48
5	346	56
6	334	317
7	368	332
8	354	338

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="district-rank">District Rank

Watauga County Schools, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 90% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NC)

#61 out of 325 school districts
(Top 20%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools
2023	#61
2022	#61
2021	#77
2019	#61
2018	#62
2017	#57
2016	#63
2015	#55
2014	#55
2013	#41
2012	#51

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(21-22)

65%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2022	65%	51%
2021	53%	42%
2019	52%	42%
2018	53%	48%
2017	57%	47%
2016	56%	47%
2015	56%	44%
2014	53%	43%
2013	52%	42%
2012	90%	82%
2011	90%	82%

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63%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2022	63%	50%
2021	59%	47%
2019	59%	46%
2018	53%	47%
2017	60%	46%
2016	61%	47%
2015	63%	46%
2014	59%	46%
2013	57%	45%
2012	84%	73%
2011	81%	70%

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74%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2022	74%	63%
2021	74%	61%

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(21-22)

89%

86%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2022	89%	86%
2021	92%	85%
2020	93%	86%
2019	90%	85%
2018	90%	86%
2017	91%	88%
2016	91%	88%
2015	88%	87%
2014	87%	86%
2013	88%	85%
2012	85%	83%

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="students-by-ethnicity">Students by Ethnicity:

0.30

0.71

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	0.35	0.71
2022	0.32	0.70
2021	0.28	0.69
2020	0.28	0.68
2019	0.28	0.68
2018	0.26	0.67
2017	0.26	0.67
2016	0.24	0.66
2015	0.23	0.66
2014	0.24	0.65
2013	0.24	0.65
2012	0.26	0.64
2011	0.23	0.64
2010	0.19	0.61
2009	0.17	0.61
2008	0.14	0.61
2007	0.10	0.60
2006	0.13	0.58
2005	0.12	0.58
2004	0.10	0.57
2003	0.09	0.56
2002	0.09	0.55
2001	0.09	0.53
2000	0.06	0.53
1999	0.06	0.52
1998	0.06	0.52
1997	0.06	0.50
1996	0.05	0.50
1995	0.05	0.49
1994	0.05	0.48
1993	0.05	0.48
1992	0.05	0.48
1991	0.04	0.48

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1997-2023)
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	2%	4%
2022	2%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	2%	3%
2019	2%	3%
2018	1%	3%
2017	1%	3%
2016	1%	3%
2015	2%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	2%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	2%	2%
2010	1%	3%
2009	2%	2%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	2%	2%
2005	1%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	2%	2%
1999	1%	2%
1998	1%	2%
1997	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

11%

20%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	10%	20%
2022	10%	20%
2021	10%	19%
2020	9%	18%
2019	9%	18%
2018	10%	17%
2017	10%	17%
2016	9%	16%
2015	8%	16%
2014	7%	15%
2013	7%	14%
2012	7%	13%
2011	6%	13%
2010	5%	11%
2009	4%	11%
2008	4%	11%
2007	3%	10%
2006	2%	8%
2005	2%	8%
2004	1%	7%
2003	1%	6%
2002	1%	5%
2001	2%	4%
2000	1%	4%
1999	1%	3%

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% Black

25%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	1%	25%
2022	1%	25%
2021	1%	25%
2020	1%	25%
2019	1%	25%
2018	1%	26%
2017	1%	26%
2014	1%	26%
2013	1%	26%
2012	1%	26%
2011	1%	26%
2010	4%	31%
2009	3%	31%
2008	1%	29%
2007	1%	29%
2006	3%	32%
2005	3%	31%
2004	3%	31%
2003	2%	31%
2002	2%	31%
2001	2%	31%
2000	2%	31%
1999	2%	31%
1998	1%	30%
1997	2%	31%
1996	2%	31%
1995	2%	30%
1994	1%	30%
1993	3%	30%
1992	2%	30%
1991	2%	30%

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% White

83%

44%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	80%	44%
2022	82%	45%
2021	84%	46%
2020	85%	48%
2019	85%	48%
2018	86%	49%
2017	86%	49%
2016	87%	50%
2015	87%	50%
2014	87%	51%
2013	87%	52%
2012	86%	53%
2011	88%	53%
2010	90%	54%
2009	91%	54%
2008	93%	55%
2007	95%	56%
2006	93%	56%
2005	94%	57%
2004	95%	58%
2003	96%	59%
2002	95%	60%
2001	96%	61%
2000	97%	61%
1999	96%	62%
1998	97%	63%
1997	97%	64%
1996	97%	64%
1995	98%	65%
1994	98%	66%
1993	97%	66%
1992	98%	66%
1991	98%	66%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	7%	6%
2022	5%	5%
2021	3%	5%
2020	3%	5%
2019	3%	5%
2018	2%	4%
2017	2%	4%
2016	3%	4%
2015	3%	4%
2014	3%	4%
2013	3%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="district-revenue-and-spending">District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $11,948 is higher than the state median of $11,192. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $11,930 is higher than the state median of $11,617. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$57 MM

$17,307 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$57 MM	$8 MM
2022	$53 MM	$8 MM
2021	$57 MM	$8 MM
2020	$53 MM	$8 MM
2019	$52 MM	$8 MM
2018	$49 MM	$8 MM
2017	$48 MM	$8 MM
2016	$46 MM	$8 MM
2015	$52 MM	$18 MM
2014	$43 MM	$10 MM
2012	$44 MM	$17 MM
2011	$52 MM	$19 MM
2010	$52 MM	$18 MM
2009	$54 MM	$19 MM
2008	$52 MM	$18 MM
2007	$36 MM	$18 MM
2006	$42 MM	$15 MM
2005	$40 MM	$15 MM
2004	$36 MM	$17 MM
2003	$37 MM	$17 MM
2002	$36 MM	$16 MM
2001	$37 MM	$17 MM
2000	$34 MM	$20 MM
1999	$34 MM	$23 MM
1998	$33 MM	$26 MM
1997	$29 MM	$34 MM
1996	$24 MM	$34 MM
1995	$24 MM	$32 MM

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Spending

$57 MM

$17,964 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$57 MM	$8 MM
2022	$54 MM	$8 MM
2021	$57 MM	$8 MM
2020	$54 MM	$8 MM
2019	$53 MM	$7 MM
2018	$50 MM	$8 MM
2017	$49 MM	$9 MM
2016	$47 MM	$8 MM
2015	$50 MM	$18 MM
2014	$47 MM	$11 MM
2012	$46 MM	$16 MM
2011	$47 MM	$17 MM
2010	$50 MM	$18 MM
2009	$52 MM	$18 MM
2008	$44 MM	$17 MM
2007	$41 MM	$18 MM
2006	$40 MM	$15 MM
2005	$38 MM	$15 MM
2004	$37 MM	$16 MM
2003	$36 MM	$17 MM
2002	$37 MM	$15 MM
2001	$36 MM	$17 MM
2000	$33 MM	$20 MM
1999	$32 MM	$24 MM
1998	$31 MM	$26 MM
1997	$28 MM	$36 MM
1996	$26 MM	$33 MM
1995	$24 MM	$32 MM

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Revenue / Student

$11,948

$11,192

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$11,928	$10,093
2022	$11,185	$9,918
2021	$12,427	$10,282
2020	$11,185	$9,918
2019	$11,132	$9,125
2018	$10,485	$9,419
2017	$10,722	$10,522
2016	$10,407	$9,128
2015	$11,756	$10,864
2014	$9,883	$9,046
2012	$9,499	$10,562
2011	$11,519	$12,703
2010	$11,506	$10,864
2009	$11,735	$11,105
2008	$11,667	$11,767
2007	$9,054	$9,479
2006	$9,215	$9,335
2005	$8,713	$8,913
2004	$7,753	$8,734
2003	$7,860	$8,577
2002	$7,476	$8,130
2001	$7,596	$7,294
2000	$6,996	$7,636
1999	$7,059	$7,252
1998	$6,684	$5,688
1997	$5,999	$5,690
1995	$4,996	$5,545
1992	$4,721	$4,737

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Spending / Student

$11,930

$11,617

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Watauga County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$11,910	$9,807
2022	$11,326	$9,654
2021	$12,409	$9,990
2020	$11,326	$9,654
2019	$11,245	$8,949
2018	$10,727	$9,637
2017	$10,998	$11,583
2016	$10,730	$9,753
2015	$11,238	$10,591
2014	$10,967	$9,388
2012	$10,009	$10,336
2011	$10,521	$11,927
2010	$10,999	$10,591
2009	$11,243	$10,880
2008	$9,876	$11,136
2007	$10,408	$9,418
2006	$8,786	$8,813
2005	$8,277	$8,647
2004	$7,790	$8,413
2003	$7,541	$8,886
2002	$7,699	$7,903
2001	$7,374	$7,301
2000	$6,804	$7,650
1999	$6,719	$7,340
1998	$6,307	$5,663
1997	$5,675	$6,040
1995	$5,077	$5,570
1992	$4,738	$4,725

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Best Watauga County Schools Public Middle Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Blowing Rock Elementary School

(Math: 72% | Reading: 72%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

165 Morris Street
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-3204

Gr: PK-8 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%

Rank: #22.

Parkway Elementary School

(Math: 72% | Reading: 70%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

160 Parkway School Dr
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3032

Gr: PK-8 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%

Rank: #33.

Hardin Park Elementary School

(Math: 71% | Reading: 60%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

361 Jefferson Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-8481

Gr: PK-8 | 859 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%

Rank: #44.

Valle Crucis Elementary School

(Math: 60% | Reading: 63%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

2998 Broadstone Road
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
(828) 963-4712

Gr: PK-8 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 16%

Rank: #55.

Watauga Virtual Academy

(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

175 Pioneer Trail
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-7190

Gr: K-8 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 12%

Rank: #66.

Cove Creek Elementary School

(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

930 Vanderpool Rd
Vilas, NC 28692
(828) 297-2781

Gr: PK-8 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%

Rank: #77.

Bethel Elementary School

(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

138 Bethel School Rd
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
(828) 297-2240

Gr: PK-8 | 143 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

Rank: #88.

Green Valley Elementary School

(Math: 46% | Reading: 47%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

189 Big Hill Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3606

Gr: PK-8 | 268 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 10%

Rank: #99.

Mabel Elementary School

(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

404 Mabel School Road
Zionville, NC 28698
(828) 297-2512

Gr: PK-8 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 3%

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 11 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 4,746 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1
Minority Enrollment: 17%
: 89% (Top 20% in NC)
: Top 20%
: 65% (Top 20%)
: 63% (Top 30%)
: 74% (Top 30%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education