For the 2025 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 7,180 students in Haywood County, NC (there are 6 private schools, serving 321 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Haywood County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Haywood County, NC are Haywood Early College, Riverbend Elementary School and Pisgah High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Haywood County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Haywood County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Haywood County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Haywood Early College
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
185 Freedlander Drive
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 565-4000
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 565-4000
Grades: 9-13
| 170 students
Rank: #22.
Riverbend Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
71 Learning Lane
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-6565
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-6565
Grades: K-5
| 201 students
Rank: #33.
Pisgah High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1 Black Bear Drive
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3440
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3440
Grades: 9-12
| 908 students
Rank: #44.
Bethel Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4700 Old River Road
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3448
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3448
Grades: K-5
| 528 students
Rank: #55.
Tuscola High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
564 Tuscola School Rd
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2408
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2408
Grades: 9-12
| 908 students
Rank: #66.
Bethel Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
630 Sonoma Road
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 646-3442
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 646-3442
Grades: 6-8
| 249 students
Rank: #77.
Junaluska Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2238 Asheville Road
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2407
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2407
Grades: K-5
| 421 students
Rank: #88.
North Canton Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
60 Thompson St
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3444
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3444
Grades: PK-5
| 326 students
Rank: #99.
Hazelwood Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1111 Plott Creek Road
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2406
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2406
Grades: PK-5
| 495 students
Rank: #1010.
Clyde Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4182 Old Clyde Road
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-2206
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-2206
Grades: PK-5
| 523 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Jonathan Valley Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
410 Hall Drive
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 926-3207
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 926-3207
Grades: PK-5
| 345 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Meadowbrook Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
85 Morningstar Rd
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3445
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3445
Grades: PK-5
| 207 students
Rank: #1313.
Waynesville Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
495 Brown Ave
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2403
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2403
Grades: 6-8
| 708 students
Rank: #1414.
Canton Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
60 Penland St
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3467
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3467
Grades: 6-8
| 493 students
Rank: #1515.
Shining Rock Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2150 Russ Avenue
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 476-5150
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 476-5150
Grades: K-11
| 630 students
Rank: #1616.
Central Haywood High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
62 Joy Lane
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 627-9944
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 627-9944
Grades: 9-12
| 68 students
Haywood County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
62 Joy Lane
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2405
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2405
Grades: PK-5
| 248 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Haywood County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Haywood County, NC include Haywood Early College, Riverbend Elementary School and Pisgah High School.
How many public schools are located in Haywood County?
16 public schools are located in Haywood County.
What percentage of students in Haywood County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Haywood County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Haywood County?
Haywood County public schools minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Haywood County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Haywood County include: Tuscola High School vs. Pisgah High School, Pisgah High School vs. Tuscola High School, Hazelwood Elementary School vs. Shining Rock Classical Academy
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
