The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in Science. The lowest is 18% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Virtual Academy
Virtual Academy is a public virtual school serving students from pre-kindergarten through grade eight within Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. The school operates online and enrolls a small population of students, predominantly from elementary and middle grades, with the bulk of enrollment concentrated in the middle grades. The school is situated in a downtown Winston-Salem office building rather than a traditional school campus.
The student body reflects the broader Forsyth County demographic profile, with students of Black, White, and Hispanic backgrounds making up the plurality, and a majority of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating substantial economic need among the families the school serves. Data on special education enrollment and English learner status were not available.
Academically, Virtual Academy's state test results show below-average proficiency rates across the tested grades and subjects. In math for grades three through eight, proficiency sat at roughly one in five students. English language arts showed somewhat stronger performance at about one in three students proficient. Science results, the strongest of the three areas, reflected about two in five students at proficient levels, though state testing procedures for science shifted in the most recent administration, so year-over-year comparison was not possible. These results place the school well below typical district and state performance. Parents considering Virtual Academy for their child should look further into the school's specific support systems, instructional approach, and the reasons behind these proficiency gaps to understand whether the online model and this school's particular implementation are a fit for their student's learning needs and style.
The virtual model itself is a substantive departure from traditional in-person schooling. It requires student self-direction, reliable home internet and devices, and often parental involvement in day-to-day learning support. This arrangement suits some families and learners well—those needing schedule flexibility, students thriving in independent work, or families navigating transportation or health constraints. For others, the absence of in-person peer interaction, hands-on learning, and real-time teacher feedback during instruction can present challenges, particularly in elementary grades where direct instruction and social development are foundational.
Winston-Salem itself is a mid-sized city undergoing steady growth and revitalization, with a compact downtown anchored by the Innovation Quarter and a diverse economy spanning healthcare, higher education, manufacturing, and financial services. The city is adding housing stock through adaptive reuse of historic industrial buildings and new residential development downtown and in surrounding neighborhoods. The area's median home sale price is moderate relative to national benchmarks, and rental costs are stable. Major employers include Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Novant Health, Wake Forest University, and the school district itself. Public transit is available through the Winston-Salem Transit Authority, and the city has invested in walkable downtown districts and greenway trails, though sidewalk connectivity outside the core remains spotty.
The broader school district context includes two significant recent developments. In 2022, the district postponed three major bond-funded school projects—a new middle school and two elementary expansions—because construction costs had roughly doubled, creating a substantial shortfall. The county subsequently allocated additional funds in 2023 to preserve the remaining bond projects without raising property taxes, and commissioners signaled a potential future bond referendum in 2028. Additionally, the district has adopted a modified academic calendar beginning in 2026-27 with an earlier August start and later May end than state statute requires, a scheduling change families should note for childcare, summer planning, and testing windows.
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