Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Wilkes County Schools

North Carolina · Public School District
22
Schools
8,673
Students
$12,482
Per-Pupil Spend
-13% nat'l
83.3%
Free Lunch Rate
+31pp vs nat'l
87.3%
Graduation Rate
≈ nat'l avg
District Overview

Wilkes County Schools is a public school district in North Carolina serving 8,673 students across 22 schools. It includes 13 elementary, 4 middle, 5 high schools. Its graduation rate of 87.3% is near the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $12,482 is below the national average for a US public school district. 83% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 42/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (22)
Middle Schools4 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Central Wilkes Middle School06–08576
East Wilkes Middle School06–08375
North Wilkes Middle School06–08409
West Wilkes Middle School06–08468
High Schools5 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
East Wilkes High School09–12495
North Wilkes High School09–12625
West Wilkes High School09–12628
Wilkes Central High School09–12752
Wilkes Early College High School09–13257
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$12,482-13% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
60%
21%
State
59.5%
Local (property tax)
20.8%
Federal
19.7%

State funding accounts for 60% of the budget — this district relies more on state aid than local tax revenue.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
22
Schools
8,673
Students
83%
Free Lunch
$12K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate87.3%
Opportunity Score42/100
StateNorth Carolina →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Range of school options
With 22 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
83% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Wilkes County Schools?
Wilkes County Schools has 22 public schools, serving a total of 8,673 students.
What is the graduation rate for Wilkes County Schools?
The graduation rate is 87.3%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Wilkes County Schools spend per student?
Wilkes County Schools spends $12,482 per pupil — 13% below the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Wilkes County Schools?
83% of students in Wilkes County Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Wilkes County Schools?
No, Wilkes County Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Wilkes County Schools serve?
Wilkes County Schools serves grades PK through 13, covering elementary level.
What is the opportunity score for Wilkes County Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in Wilkes County Schools is 42/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.