The top reported proficiency rate is 64% in Science. The lowest is 36% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Kimberley Park Elementary
Kimberley Park Elementary is a small K-5 school in Winston-Salem serving an enrollment drawn almost entirely from economically disadvantaged households. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the student body is predominantly Black, with smaller shares identifying as Hispanic, multiracial, or white. The school occupies a neighborhood location on Old Cherry Street in a zip code where median home values are modest and rental housing is the norm; housing costs remain relatively stable, though rents have risen slightly year over year.
The most recent state testing data, from spring 2025, shows mixed results across subjects. In English language arts and math, proficiency rates among tested students in grades 3 through 5 are below the midpoint, each around 36-38 percent. Science proficiency, measured only at grade 5, is notably higher at 64 percent. These are limited data points—the school's tested population in each subject is small, making year-to-year swings possible—but they place the school in a position where families should expect ongoing academic support and want clarity on remediation and intervention approaches. The state recently changed its science assessment, so prior-year science trend data is not available for comparison.
The enrollment is small and evenly distributed across the primary grades, with some grade-level variation. Special education enrollment and English learner population counts were not available in the data provided; a parent may want to look into these directly with the school to understand whether students receive specialized support on site or through district services.
Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Schools, the district serving Kimberley Park, is working through capital project delays stemming from significant construction cost increases. Three bond projects were postponed in 2022, though the county later found funding to keep other renovations on track. The district has adopted a modified academic calendar, starting school in early August rather than mid-August as state law permits, and ending in late May; this schedule is now locked in for the 2026-27 school year and later, so families should plan accordingly for childcare transitions and summer activities.
Winston-Salem itself is in the midst of urban revitalization centered on its downtown and Innovation Quarter, a historic reinvestment district built on former tobacco-warehouse land. The city has reversed prior population decline and added substantial housing through loft conversions and new residential development. Transit exists via the Winston-Salem Transit Authority, which recently redesigned its bus network in March 2025. The broader economy is anchored by healthcare employers, Wake Forest University, Reynolds American, and advanced manufacturing operations. Median household income in the region is mid-range, and the housing market has remained relatively stable despite broader national volatility.
For a family considering Kimberley Park, the picture is of a small, economically challenged school in a revitalizing urban neighborhood where state testing results suggest students are working below proficiency in core literacy and numeracy but at a reasonable level in science. The school's small size can mean personalized attention but also limited resources and fewer program electives compared to larger elementary schools. Parents should seek direct information from the school about intervention structures, staff qualifications, and how the school is supporting students who test below proficiency, as these details are not captured in state data.
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