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The Arts Based School

Q: Is The Arts Based School a good school?

The Arts Based School ranks 673 rd of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades K-8

673^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 55% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

The Arts Based School is a K-8 public school in Winston-Salem, NC, serving 663 students and functioning as its own independent Arts Based School district — a district ranked 37th of 246 statewide (85th percentile), far above the neighboring Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools district, which sits at just the 35th percentile. At the school level, however, ABS has drifted from the 81st percentile in 2022-2023 to the 55th percentile in 2025-2026, pulled down mainly by early-grade math results and uneven subgroup performance.

ABS is strongest in middle school. Eighth grade reading proficiency is 91.8%, math 77.6%, and science 97.9% — all vastly above state averages, with science remaining above 89% for three straight years. Reading scores also top state averages in nearly every grade, and chronic absenteeism is just 13.4%, compared to 24.2% statewide and 33.6% in the surrounding district. Only Whitaker Elementary and The Downtown School post lower absenteeism nearby. Special education students do especially well here, ranking in the 75th percentile statewide — above the school’s overall standing. Still, results vary considerably by student group, so it is worth asking how the school serves your child’s specific needs.

The biggest academic gap is early-grade math. Only 41% of 4th graders are proficient versus 61.4% statewide, and this same group struggled in 3rd grade the year before. The clearest comparison is The Downtown School, a K-8 school just 0.28 miles away that ranks higher overall (80th percentile) and posts much stronger elementary scores — 4th grade math is 81.8% proficient versus 41%. ABS, however, wins at the top: 8th grade reading (91.8% vs. 67.4%) and science (97.9% vs. 76.7%). ABS also outperforms nearby Cook Literacy Model School and Ashley Academy in nearly every subject, although a handful of schools, such as Diggs-Latham Elementary, beat ABS in select early-grade subjects.

663

Students ?

13.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

1380 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Winston Salem, NC 27101

(336) 748-4116

District: Arts Based School

Racial breakdown:

White:

61.5%

African American:

20.4%

Two or more races:

8.9%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare The Arts Based School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 80th percentile in 2016 → 55th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the North Carolina average (65% vs 59% meeting standards)

✓Above the North Carolina median (55th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 25 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school65%

North Carolina avg59%

Elementary school

673^rd of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 45%▼ down 25 pts since 2016

From top 20% (2016) to top 45% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

85^th of 778

North Carolina public middle schools ?

Top 11%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From top 14% (2016) to top 11% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

37^th of 246Arts Based School among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	53.6	673 of 1492	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	64.1	497 of 1490	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	68.3	438 of 1505	70.9%	★★★★☆
2023	77.0	288 of 1502	80.8%	★★★★☆
2022	68.2	432 of 1514	71.5%	★★★★☆
2021	79.2	256 of 1489	82.8%	★★★★☆
2019	72.1	366 of 1473	75.2%	★★★★☆
2018	66.1	485 of 1434	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	70.2	399 of 1429	72.1%	★★★★☆
2016	76.8	284 of 1425	80.1%	★★★★☆
2015	74.5	331 of 1440	77.0%	★★★★☆
2014	79.9	239 of 1390	82.8%	★★★★☆
2013	84.8	162 of 1403	88.5%	★★★★☆
2012	59.5	615 of 1388	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2011	61.6	587 of 1381	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2010	40.0	932 of 1363	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2009	55.6	690 of 1354	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2008	35.7	921 of 1324	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2007	39.3	901 of 1293	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2006	29.9	1009 of 1276	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	28.0	721 of 903	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	37.0	607 of 918	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.1	603 of 924	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	9.4	920 of 927	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	42.6	469 of 896	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	46.4	497 of 949	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	34.2	662 of 927	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2021	68.9	106 of 646	83.6%	★★★★☆
2019	56.9	281 of 878	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.7	301 of 897	66.4%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	48.7	745 of 1447	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	65.8	434 of 1451	70.1%	★★★★☆
2024	71.6	342 of 1455	76.5%	★★★★☆
2023	79.6	219 of 1459	85.0%	★★★★☆
2022	68.3	404 of 1458	72.3%	★★★★☆
2021	72.5	322 of 1440	77.6%	★★★★☆
2019	62.5	512 of 1424	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	56.3	647 of 1405	54.0%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	43.2	525 of 612	14.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	45.4	553 of 981	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	51.9	448 of 961	53.4%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	42.6	845 of 1434	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	52.8	632 of 1437	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	39.3	930 of 1450	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	61.9	460 of 1437	68.0%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	57.1	601 of 1451	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.7	552 of 1450	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.6	552 of 1464	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	69.9	379 of 1461	74.1%	★★★★☆
2022	67.1	435 of 1464	70.3%	★★★★☆
2021	82.3	205 of 1444	85.8%	★★★★☆
2019	78.8	235 of 1430	83.6%	★★★★☆
2018	77.0	255 of 1413	82.0%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	91.7	10 of 154	93.5%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	62.4	200 of 815	75.5%	★★★★☆
2025	51.5	316 of 821	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	77.7	82 of 801	89.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	52.1	559 of 1146	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	63.1	412 of 1172	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.5	375 of 1166	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.0	358 of 1183	69.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.6	418 of 1194	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	74.2	259 of 1172	77.9%	★★★★☆
2019	69.1	329 of 1183	72.2%	★★★★☆
2018	68.1	367 of 1178	68.8%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	85.7	85 of 778	89.1%	★★★★☆
2025	88.1	69 of 773	91.1%	★★★★★
2024	87.1	86 of 793	89.2%	★★★★☆
2023	86.4	87 of 784	88.9%	★★★★☆
2022	74.6	172 of 786	78.1%	★★★★☆
2021	82.7	101 of 741	86.4%	★★★★☆
2019	83.3	97 of 737	86.8%	★★★★☆
2018	81.5	98 of 691	85.8%	★★★★☆
2017	86.2	61 of 694	91.2%	★★★★★
2016	81.1	100 of 692	85.5%	★★★★☆
2015	85.4	81 of 705	88.5%	★★★★☆
2014	85.6	68 of 627	89.2%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2024	45.0	286 of 560	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	68.5	116 of 559	79.2%	★★★★☆
2022	43.2	283 of 550	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	57.4	148 of 533	72.2%	★★★★☆
2019	63.4	123 of 519	76.3%	★★★★☆
2018	63.6	124 of 494	74.9%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	83.3	91 of 731	87.6%	★★★★☆
2025	85.8	75 of 733	89.8%	★★★★☆
2024	83.5	102 of 738	86.2%	★★★★☆
2023	85.5	87 of 731	88.1%	★★★★☆
2022	70.7	189 of 733	74.2%	★★★★☆
2021	73.7	160 of 706	77.3%	★★★★☆
2019	75.9	144 of 684	78.9%	★★★★☆
2018	77.5	123 of 656	81.3%	★★★★☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	38.1	351 of 416	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	66.3	180 of 725	75.2%	★★★★☆
2025	77.6	98 of 729	86.6%	★★★★☆
2023	87.3	44 of 735	94.0%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	83.1	98 of 736	86.7%	★★★★☆
2025	87.5	70 of 733	90.5%	★★★★★
2024	88.6	67 of 751	91.1%	★★★★★
2023	85.4	88 of 747	88.2%	★★★★☆
2022	75.6	157 of 748	79.0%	★★★★☆
2021	87.9	64 of 711	91.0%	★★★★★
2019	86.6	68 of 697	90.2%	★★★★★
2018	83.4	75 of 665	88.7%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	83.4	89 of 644	86.2%	★★★★☆
2025	86.5	72 of 649	88.9%	★★★★☆
2024	86.3	71 of 652	89.1%	★★★★☆
2023	82.5	101 of 656	84.6%	★★★★☆
2022	83.6	90 of 658	86.3%	★★★★☆
2021	79.9	104 of 632	83.5%	★★★★☆
2019	84.8	77 of 624	87.7%	★★★★☆
2018	73.4	132 of 596	77.9%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Multi-racial (2023)94th percentile+13 vs school

Disabled (2021)84th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)75th percentile+21 vs school

Male (2026)59th percentile+4 vs school

White (2026)51st percentile-4 vs school

Female (2026)49th percentile-6 vs school

Hispanic (2026)44th percentile-11 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)41st percentile-14 vs school

African American (2026)20th percentile-35 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2019)14th percentile-61 vs school

Middle school

Female (2026)88th percentile~ school

Male (2026)87th percentile~ school

White (2026)86th percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)75th percentile-14 vs school

African American (2024)49th percentile-40 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2019)16th percentile-71 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science81%+13 vs state

Reading68%+12 vs state

Mathematics59%~ state avg

3.5

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, January 15, 2018

We loved this school... until we had an issue with a teacher and a school process. The school administration and Board of Directors and were entirely non-helpful. After researching our issue, I distributed materials to the Board and was allowed a few minutes to speak during a board meeting - during which time most of the attendees were looking down at their phones and not paying a bit of attention. I sent multiple follow-up emails... and no response. The issue was not resolved. The school administration thinks they are above reproach. My recommendation to other parents: proceed with caution. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, March 15, 2013

We adore The Arts Based School. We have two children there and have watched them both blossom emotionally and academically in this wonderful, unique and innovative learning environment. The teachers are amazing, and you couldn't ask for a more engaged, capable or caring principal and staff. There is a true sense of community among ABS families as well that makes it such a special place. My advice to anyone who is wanting something more for their child than teaching to the test, being stressed about unending, pointless homework or anxiety over being timed in math drills is to TAKE A TOUR at ABS (call for an appt. the tours are given each Thursday morning). You really will be amazed at their curriculum and what this school offers its students! Close Quote

Schools Near The Arts Based School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)						EOG Reading (2026)						EOG Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
The Arts Based School	Public, Charter	K-8	1380 Martin Luther King Jr Dr	Winston Salem	27101	Forsyth County	Arts Based School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(336) 748-4116	663	49	13.5	—	408 (61.5%)	135 (20.4%)	58 (8.7%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	59 (8.9%)	53.6	673^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	54.9%		64.1	497^th of 1490 public elementary schools	66.6%	176	59.0	41.0	62.3	67.3	63.3	77.6	61.0	57.0	67.2	71.7	75.5	91.8	67.2	97.9
The Downtown School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	601 N Cherry Street	Winston Salem	27101	Forsyth County	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(336) 703-4125	453	35	13.0	24.9%	211 (46.6%)	154 (34.0%)	41 (9.1%)	8 (1.8%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	36 (7.9%)	76.5	295^th of 1492 public elementary schools	80.2%		84.7	180^th of 1490 public elementary schools	87.9%	115	75.6	81.8	66.7	63.6	81.8	74.4	80.0	77.3	55.6	95.4	84.1	67.4	68.9	76.7	$11,387	$620	$10,767
Cook Literacy Model School	Public	PK, KG-5	920 11th Street NW	Winston Salem	27105	Forsyth County	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(336) 703-4201	228	20	11.4	—	6 (2.6%)	168 (73.7%)	47 (20.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.1%)	3.5	1479^th of 1492 public elementary schools	0.9%		25.1	1182^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	20.7%	297	13.0	31.7	30.6				8.7	29.3	27.8				22.2		$15,706	$2,747	$12,959
Kimberley Park Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1701 N.Cherry Street	Winston Salem	27105	Forsyth County	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(336) 703-6731	332	29	11.3	—	8 (2.4%)	254 (76.5%)	57 (17.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.9%)	18.6	1306^th of 1492 public elementary schools	12.5%		22.3	1239^th of 1490 public elementary schools	16.8%	67	57.9	30.8	31.7				50.0	38.5	36.6				51.2		$14,902	$3,465	$11,437
Anderson Academy	Public, Charter	K-4	1001 Reynolda Road	Winston Salem	27104	Forsyth County	Anderson Academy	Yes	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(336) 703-9292	0			—															(n/a)	35.7	15.4					57.1	38.5
Brunson Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	155 N Hawthorne Road	Winston Salem	27104	Forsyth County	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(336) 703-4206	355	29	12.3	—	107 (30.1%)	147 (41.4%)	71 (20.0%)	7 (2.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (6.2%)	42.6	866^th of 1492 public elementary schools	42.0%		52.6	701^st of 1490 public elementary schools	53.0%	165	38.3	52.2	64.4				45.0	52.2	57.5				69.9		$9,861	$976	$8,885
Ashley Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1647 Ashley School Circle	Winston Salem	27105	Forsyth County	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(336) 703-4203	348	30	11.6	—	6 (1.7%)	133 (38.2%)	203 (58.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.4%)	3.6	1477^th of 1492 public elementary schools	1.0%		8.9	1436^th of 1490 public elementary schools	3.6%	41	22.1	23.7	36.1				25.4	18.6	20.0				42.4		$12,584	$2,585	$10,000
Diggs-Latham Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	986 Hutton Street	Winston Salem	27101	Forsyth County	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(336) 703-4102	385	37	10.4	—	31 (8.1%)	154 (40.0%)	186 (48.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.6%)	41.3	889^th of 1492 public elementary schools	40.4%		37.9	951^st of 1490 public elementary schools	36.2%	62	64.7	52.9	58.0				52.9	45.1	50.0				64.0		$13,182	$2,117	$11,065
Childrens Center	Public	PK, KG-5	2315 Coliseum Drive	Winston Salem	27106	Forsyth County	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	No	No	No	No	(336) 727-2440	83	13	6.1	96.4%	22 (26.5%)	34 (41.0%)	23 (27.7%)	2 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.4%)								(n/a)															$38,700	$4,652	$34,048
Whitaker Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2600 Buena Vista Road	Winston Salem	27104	Forsyth County	Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools	No	No	No	No	(336) 703-6740	490	32	15.1	25.5%	350 (71.4%)	76 (15.5%)	37 (7.6%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.1%)	87	157^th of 1492 public elementary schools	89.5%		93.1	72^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	95.2%	85	81.7	77.6	81.5				77.5	77.6	71.7				80.4		$9,221	$473	$8,748

Frequently Asked Questions about The Arts Based School

How many students attend The Arts Based School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 663 students attended The Arts Based School.

What is the racial makeup of The Arts Based School?

Students at The Arts Based School are 62% White, 20% African American, 9% Two or more races, 9% Hispanic.

Is The Arts Based School a good school?

The Arts Based School ranks 673^rd of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is The Arts Based School in?

Arts Based School

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.