The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Math. The lowest is 27% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Hall-woodward Elementary
Hall-Woodward Elementary serves prekindergarten through fifth grade in Winston-Salem, a city that has reversed decades of decline and now blends a revitalized downtown, research and medical anchors, and a diversifying economy. The school sits in a neighborhood shaped by the broader Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools district, which has recently navigated capital constraints and made shifts in its academic calendar.
The school's enrollment is small, drawn heavily from its immediate neighborhood. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Black student population and smaller numbers of white students and other groups. English learner enrollment data was not available, nor were special education enrollment counts. The school serves about half of its tested students in the school system's prekindergarten through fifth grade span, so state results cover only grades three through five.
State testing results show a mixed picture. In math, students achieved proficiency at a rate roughly at the midpoint of typical performance bands. Reading and language arts proficiency was lower, with fewer than a third of tested students meeting the state standard. Science proficiency, tested only in grade five at this school, was also below the midpoint. These patterns suggest that literacy and science instruction may be areas where the school would benefit from closer examination or targeted support, though parents may want to look into the school's specific strategies and resource allocation in these areas. Math appears to be a relative strength.
The housing market around the school reflects Winston-Salem's broader affordability. Home values in the zip code are below the state median and near the national benchmark, holding steady in recent years. Rental costs are moderate and represent a manageable share of household income. This positioning makes the neighborhood accessible to families of modest means, consistent with the school's enrollment profile.
Winston-Salem itself is a midsized city with walkable downtown districts, a growing medical and research sector, and a diversifying employer base beyond its historic tobacco and textile roots. The Innovation Quarter, a walkable redeveloped area of former warehouses, sits on the eastern edge of downtown and houses Wake Forest School of Medicine and mixed-use development. Public transit is available through the city's bus system, which underwent a redesign in March 2025. Civic amenities include parks, greenways, and a robust public library system. The broader region has added residents and housing units over the past two decades, though construction costs have strained school capital projects.
Parents should know that the district postponed three major bond projects in 2022 due to rising construction costs. The county later approved supplemental funding in 2023 to keep remaining renovations on track, and commissioners have signaled a potential bond referendum in 2028. More immediately, the district has adopted a modified academic calendar starting in August earlier than state law typically permits and ending in late May, which affects summer planning and program alignment. These are structural changes worth understanding if you are considering enrollment or planning family schedules around the school year.
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