Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Wilson County Schools

North Carolina · Public School District
25
Schools
10,276
Students
$13,816
Per-Pupil Spend
≈ nat'l avg
86.4%
Free Lunch Rate
+34pp vs nat'l
76.8%
Graduation Rate
-9.7pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Wilson County Schools is a public school district in North Carolina serving 10,276 students across 25 schools. It includes 13 elementary, 5 middle, 5 high schools. Its graduation rate of 76.8% is below the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $13,816 is near the national average for a US public school district. 86% 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 36/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (25)
Middle Schools5 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Charles H Darden Middle06–08441
Elm City Middle06–08444
Forest Hills Middle06–08670
Speight Middle06–08294
Springfield Middle06–08445
High Schools5 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Beddingfield High09–12682
Fike High09–121,046
James Hunt High09–121,069
Wilson Academy of Applied Technology09–13205
Wilson Early College Academy09–13245
Other Schools2 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Milton M Daniels Learning Center03–1284
Wilson Academy of Virtual Education04–1248
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$13,816Near national avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
58%
21%
State
58.4%
Local (property tax)
21.1%
Federal
20.5%

State funding accounts for 58% 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
25
Schools
10,276
Students
86%
Free Lunch
$14K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate76.8%
Opportunity Score36/100
StateNorth Carolina →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Range of school options
With 25 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
Below-average graduation rate
At 76.8%, graduation is 9.7 points below the national average of 86.5%.
High economic need in community
86% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Heavy reliance on federal aid
21% 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 Wilson County Schools?
Wilson County Schools has 25 public schools, serving a total of 10,276 students.
What is the graduation rate for Wilson County Schools?
The graduation rate is 76.8%, which is below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Wilson County Schools spend per student?
Wilson County Schools spends $13,816 per pupil — 4% below the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Wilson County Schools?
86% of students in Wilson County Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Wilson County Schools?
No, Wilson County Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Wilson County Schools serve?
Wilson County Schools serves grades PK through 13, covering elementary level.
What is the opportunity score for Wilson County Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in Wilson County Schools is 36/100. 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.