For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public elementary schools serving 5,126 students in Haywood County, NC.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Haywood County, NC are Riverbend Elementary School, Bethel Elementary School and Bethel Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Haywood County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Haywood County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Haywood County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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
Gr: K-5 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
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
Gr: K-5 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #44.
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
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:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
60 Thompson St
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3444
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:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1111 Plott Creek Road
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2406
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4182 Old Clyde Road
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-2206
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
410 Hall Drive
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 926-3207
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
85 Morningstar Rd
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3445
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:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
495 Brown Ave
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2403
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:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
60 Penland St
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3467
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3467
Gr: 6-8 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1212.
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
Gr: K-12 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Haywood County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
62 Joy Lane
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2405
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2405
Gr: PK-5 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Haywood County, NC?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Haywood County, NC include Riverbend Elementary School, Bethel Elementary School and Bethel Middle School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Haywood County?
12 public elementary schools are located in Haywood County.
What is the racial composition of students in Haywood County?
Haywood County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Haywood County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Haywood County include: North Canton Elementary School vs. Meadowbrook Elementary School, Hazelwood Elementary School vs. Shining Rock Classical Academy, Canton Middle School vs. Waynesville Middle School
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