Best Public Schools in Zip Code 28621

Zip code 28621, centered on Elkin, North Carolina, is home to four public schools serving roughly 1,515 students in grades PK–12 across two districts: Elkin City Schools and Wilkes County Schools. The schools include two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, giving families a clear path from early grades through graduation.

Elkin Middle stands out as the highest-ranked school in the area, climbing to the 83rd percentile statewide in 2025-2026 with a 4-star rating. Every one of its reported test scores beat the state average, and it posted the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (10.8%) in the zip code. Elkin High is also a 4-star school with impressive End-of-Course results, especially Math I at 84.6% proficient versus 42.1% statewide, and a strong 93.4% graduation rate. However, its 29.2% chronic absenteeism rate is more than double the rate at Elkin Middle and well above the state average, making attendance the most visible concern for an otherwise high-performing high school.

Among the elementary schools, C B Eller Elementary School faces the highest economic disadvantage in the group (97.58% free/reduced lunch) yet posts a standout 85.7% proficiency rate in 5th grade science, far above the state’s 67.7%. Its reading and math scores in 4th and 5th grades, however, trail state averages. Elkin Elementary is the largest school with 673 students, but its overall ranking sits near the 51st percentile — essentially average. Its 5th grade reading is notably below state proficiency, though its chronic absenteeism is a low 11.4%. Overall, Elkin City Schools is the stronger district at the 82nd percentile statewide, while C B Eller represents Wilkes County with a more mixed profile. The most promising trend is Elkin Middle’s rapid improvement, while elementary reading remains the weakest subject area across the zip code.