Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools

North Carolina · Public School District
81
Schools
52,717
Students
$14,195
Per-Pupil Spend
≈ nat'l avg
71.0%
Free Lunch Rate
+19pp vs nat'l
86.3%
Graduation Rate
≈ nat'l avg
District Overview

Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools is a public school district in North Carolina serving 52,717 students across 81 schools. It includes 44 elementary, 16 middle, 18 high schools. Its graduation rate of 86.3% is near the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $14,195 is near the national average for a US public school district. 71% 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 37/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (81)
Elementary Schools44 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Ashley AcademyPK–05373
Bolton ElementaryPK–05389
Brunson ElementaryPK–05413
Caleb's Creek ElementaryPK–05669
Cash ElementaryPK–05538
Childrens CenterPK–0559
Clemmons ElementaryPK–05789
Cook Literacy Model SchoolPK–05280
Diggs-Latham ElementaryPK–05418
Easton Elementary SchoolPK–05524
Forest Park ElementaryPK–05508
Frank Morgan ElementaryPK–05704
Gibson ElementaryPK–05632
Griffith ElementaryPK–05552
Hall-Woodward ElementaryPK–05553
Ibraham ElementaryPK–05358
Jefferson ElementaryPK–05554
Kernersville ElementaryPK–05627
Kimberley Park ElementaryPK–05278
Kimmel Farm ElementaryPK–05814
Konnoak ElementaryPK–05635
Lewisville ElementaryPK–05591
Meadowlark ElementaryPK–05831
Mineral Springs ElementaryPK–05534
Moore Magnet ElementaryPK–05414
North Hills ElementaryPK–05494
Old Richmond ElementaryPK–05405
Old Town ElementaryPK–05621
Petree ElementaryPK–05442
Piney Grove ElementaryPK–05605
Rural Hall ElementaryPK–05492
Sedge Garden ElementaryPK–05734
Sherwood Forest ElementaryPK–05650
Smith Farm ElementaryPK–05527
South Fork ElementaryPK–05502
Southwest ElementaryPK–05523
Speas ElementaryPK–05767
The Downtown SchoolPK–08409
The Special Children's SchoolPK–0550
Union Cross Traditional AcadPK–05495
Vienna ElementaryPK–05768
Walkertown ElementaryPK–05697
Ward ElementaryPK–05532
Whitaker ElementaryPK–05545
Other Schools3 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Hospital/Homebound Education CenterKG–120
Kingswood SchoolPK–128
Virtual AcademyPK–12411
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$14,195Near national avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
52%
25%
State
52.1%
Local (property tax)
25.3%
Federal
22.6%

Funding is shared between state (52%) and local sources (25%), with notable federal support (23%).

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
81
Schools
52,717
Students
71%
Free Lunch
$14K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate86.3%
Opportunity Score37/100
StateNorth Carolina →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Range of school options
With 81 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
71% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Heavy reliance on federal aid
23% of revenue comes from federal sources. High federal reliance typically signals a limited local tax base or high concentration of low-income families.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools?
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools has 81 public schools, serving a total of 52,717 students.
What is the graduation rate for Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools?
The graduation rate is 86.3%, which is below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools spend per student?
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools spends $14,195 per pupil — 1% below the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools?
71% of students in Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools?
No, Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools serve?
Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools is 37/100. 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.