Top Rankings
Macon County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 8 public elementary schools serving 2,641 students in Macon County Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in North Carolina.
Public Elementary Schools in Macon County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 27% 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
12 Schools
2,146 Schools
# Students
4,455 Students
1,094,560 Students
# Teachers
281 Teachers
71,669 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Macon County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% 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 93% has increased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#155 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)50%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. View full 13-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
50%
Showing 2012–2022. View full 13-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
63%
63%
Graduation Rate
93%
86.5%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)26.7%
28.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.44
0.72
Showing 2014–2023. View full 36-year historical data
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
5%
Showing 2011–2023. View full 34-year historical data
% Hispanic
24%
22%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
% Black
1%
24%
Showing 2010–2023. View full 36-year historical data
% White
71%
42%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 36-year historical data
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
6%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,570 is higher than the state median of $13,318. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,437 is higher than the state median of $13,934. The school district spending/student has declined by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$61 MM
$20,622 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending
$64 MM
$21,575 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Revenue / Student
$13,570
$13,318
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending / Student
$14,437
$13,934
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Best Macon County Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Highlands School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
545 Pierson Dr
Highlands, NC 28741
(828) 526-2147
Highlands, NC 28741
(828) 526-2147
Gr: K-12 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #22.
Cartoogechaye Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3295 Old Murphy Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2845
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2845
Gr: PK-4 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #33.
South Macon Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
855 Addington Bridge Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 369-0796
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 369-0796
Gr: PK-4 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #44.
East Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
100 Watauga St
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-3216
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-3216
Gr: K-4 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #55.
Nantahala School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
213 Windingstairs Rd
Topton, NC 28781
(828) 321-4388
Topton, NC 28781
(828) 321-4388
Gr: K-12 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #66.
Mountain View Intermediate
(Math: 49% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
161 Clarks Chapel Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 349-1325
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 349-1325
Gr: 5-6 | 614 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #77.
Iotla Valley Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1166 Iotla Church Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2938
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2938
Gr: PK-4 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #88.
Macon Virtual Academy
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1202 Old Murphy Rd
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-3314
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-3314
Gr: K-12 | 44 students Minority enrollment: 14%
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