The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in Science. The lowest is 47% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Alexander Wilson Elementary
Alexander Wilson Elementary is a public elementary school in Graham serving grades pre-K through fifth grade. The school sits in a community in flux: Graham has grown over the past decade from a textile town toward a younger, more transient population, while downtown has undergone visible revitalization around the historic Court Square. The school enrolls a moderately diverse student body, with a substantial share of families qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. It is part of the Alamance-Burlington School System, which spans the broader county and has recently completed major bond-funded facility upgrades across its buildings.
On state testing, Alexander Wilson shows uneven performance across subjects. In math and English language arts, the school's proficiency rates fall below the midpoint, indicating that fewer than half of tested students in grades three through five meet state standards. Science proficiency is notably stronger. The data on these assessments comes from spring 2025; state testing participation and average scale scores were not available in the reported figures, so a parent may want to reach out to the school directly to understand the full picture of student performance and whether there are specific grade bands or student groups with different outcomes.
The enrollment of about six hundred students is stable and distributed evenly across the grade bands, from pre-K through fifth. About half of all students come from families meeting eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch, which is slightly above the county average and reflects real economic pressures in Graham's newer, younger resident base. The student body is racially and ethnically mixed, with white students as the largest group, followed by a substantial Hispanic enrollment. Asian, Black, and multiracial students make up smaller shares. Data on English learner numbers and special education enrollment were not disclosed in the available records, so parents with questions about language support or special education services may need to ask the school directly.
The Alamance-Burlington district has made tangible investments in school facilities over the past several years. Alexander Wilson received security upgrades as part of a bond package completed in 2022-2024, including new security cameras and key-card entry systems. The district's broader infrastructure is modern relative to much of rural North Carolina, with the new Southeast Alamance High School now operating to reduce overcrowding at other district schools.
Housing in the Graham area is relatively affordable on a state and national scale, with home values and rents both showing modest year-over-year movement. The community offers walkable downtown amenities, public parks, and access to regional employment at Labcorp, Cone Health, and other area employers, which may appeal to families seeking a smaller-city setting with some affordability. Graham Regional Park and Cedarock Park provide outdoor recreation, and public transit through Link Transit and the PART regional system connect Graham to Elon, Mebane, and the Research Triangle.
For families choosing Alexander Wilson, the draw would likely be the school's neighborhood location, its mixed student body, and the community itself rather than standout academic performance. The school's proficiency levels in core subjects warrant direct conversation with staff about instruction, intervention, and classroom composition. Parents considering the school should also ask about the school's approach to the early elementary grades, where the strongest enrollment and perhaps the greatest potential for long-term academic gains sit.
See more original research from School Decision →