Haywood County Schools

1233 North Main St
Waynesville, NC 28786-3461
(District boundaries shown in map)
8/
10
Top 30%

Top Rankings

Haywood County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public elementary schools serving 4,504 students in Haywood County Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in North Carolina.
Public Elementary Schools in Haywood County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
15 Schools
2,149 Schools
# Students
6,466 Students
1,095,543 Students
# Teachers
379 Teachers
71,743 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Haywood County Schools, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 314 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has increased from 85% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#72 out of 325 school districts
(Top 30%)
(21-22)
65%
51%
58%
50%
78%
63%
(21-22)
89%
86%
(2022-23)
20.3%
28.7%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.28
0.72
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
5%
% Hispanic
10%
22%
% Black
1%
24%
% White
84%
42%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,657 is higher than the state median of $11,170. The school district revenue/student has grown by 22% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,517 is higher than the state median of $11,594. The school district spending/student has grown by 17% over four school years.
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$82 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$81 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,657
$11,170
Spending / Student
$12,517
$11,594

Best Haywood County Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Riverbend Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
71 Learning Lane
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-6565
Gr: K-5 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
Bethel Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4700 Old River Road
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3448
Gr: K-5 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
Bethel Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
630 Sonoma Road
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 646-3442
Gr: 6-8 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #44.
Junaluska Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2238 Asheville Road
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2407
Gr: K-5 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #55.
North Canton Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
60 Thompson St
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3444
Gr: PK-5 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #66.
Hazelwood Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1111 Plott Creek Road
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2406
Gr: PK-5 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #77.
Clyde Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4182 Old Clyde Road
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-2206
Gr: PK-5 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Jonathan Valley Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
410 Hall Drive
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 926-3207
Gr: PK-5 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Meadowbrook Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
85 Morningstar Rd
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3445
Gr: PK-5 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1010.
Waynesville Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
495 Brown Ave
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2403
Gr: 6-8 | 727 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1111.
Canton Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
60 Penland St
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3467
Gr: 6-8 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%

Recent Articles

Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 15 schools
  • Grades: PK-13
  • Enrollment: 6,466 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 16%
  • : 89% (Top 50% in NC)
  • : Top 30%
  • : 65% (Top 20%)
  • : 58% (Top 50%)
  • : 78% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Quick Links