For the 2024 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 3,813 students in Jackson County, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 167 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Jackson County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Jackson County, NC are Jackson Co Early College, Smoky Mountain High School and Summit Charter. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jackson County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Jackson County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 55% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Jackson County (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Jackson Co Early College
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
404 College Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 339-4499
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 339-4499
Grades: 9-13
| 99 students
Rank: #22.
Smoky Mountain High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 Smoky Mountain Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2177
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2177
Grades: 9-12
| 887 students
Rank: #33.
Summit Charter
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
370 Mitten Lane
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-5755
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-5755
Grades: K-12
| 252 students
Rank: #44.
Catamount School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
100 Smoky Mountain Dr
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 331-1775
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 331-1775
Grades: 6-8
| 53 students
Rank: #55.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
251 Big Orange Way
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2819
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2819
Grades: PK-8
| 729 students
Rank: #66.
Blue Ridge Early College
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
95 Bobcat Dr
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-2646
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-2646
Grades: 7-13
| 123 students
Rank: #77.
Cullowhee Valley School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
240 Wisdom Drive
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 293-5667
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 293-5667
Grades: K-8
| 622 students
Rank: #88.
Blue Ridge School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
95 Bobcat Drive
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-2646
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-2646
Grades: PK-6
| 154 students
Rank: #99.
Scotts Creek Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
516 Parris Branch
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 631-2740
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 631-2740
Grades: K-8
| 459 students
Rank: #1010.
Smokey Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
884 Us Hwy 441n
Whittier, NC 28789
(828) 497-5535
Whittier, NC 28789
(828) 497-5535
Grades: PK-8
| 354 students
Rank: #1111.
Jackson Community School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3770 Skyland Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-4328
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-4328
Grades: K-12
| 81 students
Jackson County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
251 Big Orange Way
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2819
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2819
Grades: K-8
| 750 students
398 Hospital Road
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2311
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2311
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Jackson County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Jackson County, NC include Jackson Co Early College, Smoky Mountain High School and Summit Charter.
How many public schools are located in Jackson County, NC?
11 public schools are located in Jackson County, NC.
What percentage of students in Jackson County, NC go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Jackson County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jackson County, NC?
Jackson County, NC public schools minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 55% (majority Black).
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