Total enrollment
12,440
-945 (-7%) vs SY 2017-18
Wilson County
North Carolina · Public K-12
Wilson County in North Carolina is home to 29 public K-12 schools, serving roughly 12,482 students between them, broken out as 13 elementary, 5 middle, and 6 high. Wilson County Schools is the largest district by enrollment.
7-year change in Wilson County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
28
-1 (-3%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
24%
was 29%
% Hispanic
25%
was 21%
% Black
45%
was 45%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
29
5 districts
Enrollment
12,482
NCES CCD
Median income
$56,423
Below North Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
96.0%
Above North Carolina avg
Elementary
13
4,841 students
Middle
5
2,160 students
High
6
3,388 students
Combined / other
5
2,093 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Wilson County Schools
10,451 students · 5 districts in Wilson County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Wilson County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
21.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
14.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.6%
civilian labor
Median age
41
22.8% under 18
Test scores in Wilson County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 21 schools ranked. North Carolina state average: 51.8%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Rock Ridge Elementary· 80.3%
- New Hope Elementary· 79.0%
- Springfield Middle· 71.9%
- Lucama Elementary· 71.4%
- Gardners Elementary· 65.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Vick Elementary· 31.0%
- Charles H Darden Middle· 38.2%
- Margaret Hearne Elementary· 38.4%
- B O Barnes Elementary· 43.5%
- John W Jones Elementary· 47.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sallie B Howard School | Wilson | Combined | KG-12 | 1,228 | · |
| James Hunt High | Wilson | High | 09-12 | 1,115 | · |
| Fike High | Wilson | High | 09-12 | 1,028 | · |
| Wilson Preparatory Academy | Wilson | Combined | KG-12 | 725 | · |
| Forest Hills Middle | Wilson | Middle | 06-08 | 654 | · |
| Beddingfield High | Wilson | High | 09-12 | 653 | · |
| John W Jones Elementary | Wilson | Elementary | PK-05 | 601 | · |
| Rock Ridge Elementary | Wilson | Elementary | KG-05 | 476 | · |
| New Hope Elementary | Wilson | Elementary | KG-05 | 460 | · |
| Vinson-Bynum Elementary | Wilson | Elementary | KG-05 | 458 | · |
| Springfield Middle | Lucama | Middle | 06-08 | 448 | · |
| Lucama Elementary | Lucama | Elementary | PK-05 | 431 | · |
| Margaret Hearne Elementary | Wilson | Elementary | PK-05 | 423 | · |
| Elm City Middle | Elm City | Middle | 06-08 | 399 | · |
| Wells Elementary | Wilson | Elementary | PK-05 | 383 | · |
| Charles H Darden Middle | Wilson | Middle | 06-08 | 378 | · |
| Vick Elementary | Wilson | Elementary | KG-05 | 359 | · |
| Frederick Douglass Elementary | Wilson | Elementary | KG-05 | 339 | · |
| Speight Middle | Stantonsburg | Middle | 06-08 | 281 | · |
| Gardners Elementary | Elm City | Elementary | KG-05 | 280 | · |
| Wilson Academy of Applied Technology | Wilson | High | 09-13 | 280 | · |
| B O Barnes Elementary | Wilson | Elementary | KG-05 | 274 | · |
| Wilson Early College Academy | Wilson | High | 09-13 | 268 | · |
| Stantonsburg Elementary | Stantonsburg | Elementary | KG-05 | 184 | · |
| Lee Woodard Elementary | Black Creek | Elementary | KG-05 | 173 | · |
| Milton M Daniels Learning Center | Wilson | Combined | 02-12 | 62 | · |
| Wilson Academy of Virtual Education | Wilson | High | 06-12 | 44 | · |
| Eastern NC School for the Deaf | Wilson | Combined | KG-12 | 42 | · |
| Eastern NC School for the Deaf | Wilson | Combined | KG-12 | 36 | · |
Cities in Wilson County
About Wilson County
In North Carolina, Wilson County is a moderately sized county of about 79,290 residents. 29 public schools across the county enrolls about 12,482 students between them.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show the median household earns about $56,423 a year, 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 14% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 11% lower than the North Carolina median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Wilson County spans 13 elementary schools (4,841 students), 5 middle schools (2,160), 6 high schools (3,388), and 5 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in Wilson County is Wilson County Schools, which alone enrolls about 10,451 students.
Looking at the last 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Wilson County has declined 7% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 13,385 students to 12,440. Over that span, Wilson County lost 1 school, going from 29 to 28. The White share of public-school enrollment fell from 29% to 24%.
On allk12, the community for Wilson County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
Wilson County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data