Health and physical education are offered daily, along with exploratory courses including art, music, band, foreign language, computers, and career exploration. Middle grades students actively use modern technology in their learning, including access to Compass learning labs, the Internet, and various media programs such as TOMS, an on-line and compact disc based text for periodicals. The Wilkes County School system has four comprehensive high schools. Over 140 courses are offered at all four schools through a concentrated curriculum with 90 minute periods. The Advanced Placement program serves over 260 students.
Students perform well on end of course tests, especially in the areas of mathematics and science.
The ranking for SAT scores is among the top one third of high schools in North Carolina. The four high schools offer a full range of sports. Students in grades 1-5 receive weekly instruction in music and art from specialists along with arts activities integrated into their language arts and social studies curriculum. Middle school students receive instruction in instrumental music, art and music through daily exploratory classes rotated throughout the year. High school students may elect to take courses in choral and instrumental music, theater and the visual arts.