WHO WE ARE

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools formed in 1963 with the merger of the Winston-Salem and Forsyth County districts. It is the fourth-largest system in North Carolina and the 81st-largest in the nation.

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools serves more than 53,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 with the goal of providing a quality education for each child. The school system has 42 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, and 16 high schools. Eight specialty schools bring the system-wide total to 81.

Districtwide, 34% of the students are white; 29.4% are African-American; 29% are Hispanic; 5% are multiracial; 2.7% are Asian; and less than 1% are American Indian or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.

Maps & Directions

MISSION

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will engage all students in high-quality, relevant learning experiences so they will graduate with interpersonal, academic, and workforce skills to compete globally and contribute to society.

VISION

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will be the best place to learn and work through excellence, collaboration, and inclusiveness.

GOVERNANCE

The WS/FCS Board of Education is composed of nine members who serve four-year terms that expire in 2022. These board members are Alexandré Bohannon, Robert Barr, Trevonia Brown-Gaither, Sabrina Coone, Leah Crowley, Deanna Kaplan, Susan Miller, Richard Watts, and Steve Wood.

The board selects a superintendent to oversee the day-to-day operations of the school system. Superintendent Tricia McManus began her tenure in 2021, after serving as Interim Superintendent since November 2020.

STRATEGIC PLAN

The 2020-25 WS/FCS Strategic Plan includes five focus areas:

Student Achievement: Raise student achievement, close achievement gaps, and enable all students to take ownership of their learning.

Equity & Access:  Ensure equal and equitable access to quality instruction and strive to eliminate barriers to rigorous and diverse opportunities.  WS/FCS will provide quality instructional facilities and learning environments for all students.

Community Engagement:  Build and strengthen partnerships and communication with families, local businesses, educational organizations, community agencies and advocacy groups in order to engage families and community stakeholders in the entire educational process for all students.

Human Resources Development:  Recruit and retain a highly effective and diverse workforce that supports district goals to ensure excellence for all.

Climate & Safety:  Foster an inclusive climate that values the safety and well-being of all students, faculty and staff and fosters an environment that creates a sense of belonging.

CALENDAR

For the 2023-24 school year, the first day of school is Monday, August 28, and the last day is scheduled for Friday, June 7.

For the 2024-25 school year, the dates have yet to be determined.

BUDGET

For the 2020-21 school year, the district’s proposed budget was $582.3 million, including capital projects and child nutrition. About 62% of that budget comes from the state; about 27% from Forsyth County; and the rest from federal and other sources.

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS

Districtwide, 34% of the students are white; 29.4% are African-American; 29% are Hispanic; 5% are multiracial; 2.7% are Asian; and less than 1% are American Indian or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. 

STAFF

WS/FCS has a workforce of more than 7,400 employees, including more than 1,500 part-time and contract workers.