High Country Times

There were 4,744 students enrolled in Watauga County schools in the 2023-24 school year, 3% more than the previous year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Watauga High School registered the highest enrollment among Watauga County's 12 schools in the 2023-24 school year, welcoming 1,247 students.

Despite steady enrollment, North Carolina schools continue to face significant funding challenges. The state's per-student spending remains nearly $5,000 below the national average, limiting resources for teachers, classrooms, and student support programs. In fact, North Carolina ranks 48th out of 50 states in per-student funding (after adjusting for regional costs).

Staffing shortages have also become a growing concern, with teacher turnover rising to 11.5% in the most recent school year. Low salaries and high workloads make it difficult to retain experienced educators, potentially increasing class sizes and affecting learning quality.

School name	Total Enrollment in 2022-23	Total Enrollment in 2023-24	% Change
Watauga High School	1,236	1,247	0.9%
Hardin Park Elementary School	839	837	-0.2%
Parkway Elementary School	638	632	-0.9%
Blowing Rock Elementary School	411	419	1.9%
Valle Crucis Elementary School	327	328	0.3%
Watauga Innovation Academy	261	295	13%
Cove Creek Elementary School	280	276	-1.4%
Green Valley Elementary School	285	253	-11.2%
Two Rivers Community School	162	161	-0.6%
Mabel Elementary School	-	136	-
Bethel Elementary School	123	129	4.9%
Watauga Virtual Academy	42	31	-26.2%