Serving 431 students in grades Prekindergarten-8, The Downtown School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 70% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 67% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 431 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 55%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20% in NC
- Math Proficiency: 70% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 67% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 75-79% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
The Downtown School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Student Attention
School Overview
The Downtown School's student population of 431 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 34 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
431 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
34 teachers
School Rankings
The Downtown School ranks within the top 20% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of The Downtown School is 0.65, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#397 out of 2617 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
70%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
67%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
75-79%
63%
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
2%
4%
Hispanic
8%
21%
Black
37%
25%
White
45%
43%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
8%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
27%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Downtown School's ranking?
The Downtown School is ranked #397 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are The Downtown School often compared to?
The Downtown Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like The Arts Based School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
70% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 67% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
How many students attend The Downtown School?
431 students attend The Downtown School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
45% of The Downtown School students are White, 37% of students are Black, 8% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of The Downtown School?
The Downtown School has a student ration of 13:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does The Downtown School offer ?
The Downtown School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is The Downtown School part of?
The Downtown School is part of Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools School District.
In what neighborhood is The Downtown School located?
The Downtown School is located in the Downtown Winston Salem neighborhood of Winston Salem, NC.
School Reviews
Review The Downtown School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.