The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in Science. The lowest is 31% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Vick Elementary
Vick Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Wilson, a small eastern North Carolina city that is in a notably active growth phase. The school's enrollment sits at about the typical size for an elementary building in its grade band, with a composition that reflects the broader demographics of the area. About two-thirds of students are Black, with a smaller but substantial share of Hispanic students, and a very small share of white students. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which places Vick in a high-poverty setting and also means the school receives Title I resources and supports.
On North Carolina's End-of-Grade Tests for 2024-25, Vick's results were below the state proficiency threshold across the board. In math, about one-third of tested third through fifth graders scored at proficient or above; in English language arts, the proficiency rate was also about one-third. In science, where a smaller cohort was tested, about half scored proficient or above. None of these figures represent strong performance on the state assessments, and a parent evaluating this school should understand that the academic skill level of the student population on standardized measures is low. That said, science results suggest some strength in that subject compared to math and ELA, though the science assessment itself was redesigned this year, making year-to-year comparisons uncertain.
The school sits within Wilson County Schools, a five-district system serving the towns of Wilson, Black Creek, Elm City, Lucama, and Stantonsburg. The district is currently rebuilding Frederick Douglass Elementary in Elm City and has recently closed two other schools, signaling facility and enrollment pressures. The county completed a property revaluation in 2024, which raised assessed values across the area and will result in higher property tax bills for homeowners despite a nominal decrease in the tax rate. At the same time, the district received full funding under the county's 2024-25 budget, and the county is making a long-term capital commitment to new elementary construction using local taxpayer dollars.
Wilson itself is experiencing rapid housing growth and significant economic development. More housing has been built since 2020 than in the prior decade, driven by new subdivisions spreading across the northwest and by major announcements of life-science manufacturing facilities including Johnson & Johnson, Reckitt, and others. A new minor-league baseball stadium is under construction downtown. Home values and rental costs in the area are modest relative to state benchmarks, and the housing market remains relatively affordable. The city has invested in downtown revitalization, fiber-optic infrastructure called Greenlight, and an on-demand transit service. This context means that families with elementary-age children may be moving into new neighborhoods in and around Wilson and may be considering Vick as their catchment school.
Vick's test results and the high proportion of economically disadvantaged students are the primary data points available to assess academic quality. The state testing data provided does not include scale scores or allow year-to-year trend analysis due to assessment changes. State data on English learner and special education populations for the school was not provided. Information about school-level staffing, programs, course offerings, or discipline policies was also not available. A parent considering Vick should reach out to the school and the district to ask about instructional strategies, class sizes, special programs, intervention supports, and how the school is working to raise proficiency levels, particularly in math and ELA.
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