Schools in Zip Code 28654

ZIP code 28654 (Moravian Falls, NC) is served by two public schools in Wilkes County Schools — Moravian Falls Elementary School (PK–5) and Central Wilkes Middle School (grades 6–8) — with no high school in the area. Moravian Falls Elementary is the clear standout, ranking in the 92nd percentile (5 stars) among North Carolina elementary schools, while Central Wilkes Middle ranks in the 64th percentile (3 stars) among middle schools. Both schools serve very high-poverty populations, with 98–99% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

Moravian Falls Elementary School is an exceptional school despite the challenges of poverty. With a state ranking of #112 out of 1,492 elementary schools, it outperforms both the district and the state on every single EOG test, posting a roughly 81% proficiency average compared to the district's 62% and the state's 61%. Noteworthy results include 95.1% proficiency in 3rd grade math and 84.4% proficiency in both 5th grade math and 5th grade science. Its reading scores are relatively the lowest subject, yet still run about 18 points above the state average. The school's chronic absenteeism rate of 13.8% is also well below the district rate of 16.9% and the state rate of 24.2%.

Central Wilkes Middle School, in contrast, is solid but uneven. Its overall EOG proficiency average of about 61% beats the state average of 57.7% but cannot compete with the elementary school across the ZIP code. The middle school's biggest concern is a 7th grade slump: math proficiency falls to 48.5% and reading to 52.6%, both below district and state averages, even though 6th graders at the same school post a strong 75.1% math proficiency. Chronic absenteeism is 18.1%, above the district's 16.9%, and roughly one in five students is chronically absent. Since Central Wilkes Middle enrolls 564 students across just three grades while Moravian Falls Elementary has 257 across six, the middle school likely draws from several elementary schools. Finally, because no high school exists in 28654, students must leave the ZIP code for high school within Wilkes County Schools.