Top Rankings
Mitchell County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public elementary schools serving 1,082 students in Mitchell County Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in North Carolina.
Public Elementary Schools in Mitchell 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 48% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
9 Schools
2,170 Schools
# Students
1,692 Students
1,090,293 Students
# Teachers
132 Teachers
73,854 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Mitchell County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 320 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 83% has decreased from 85-89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#161 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)51%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
67%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)85-89%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.29
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
12%
21%
% Black
1%
25%
% White
83%
43%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,240 is higher than the state median of $11,192. The school district revenue/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,981 is higher than the state median of $11,617. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$22 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$22 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,240
$11,192
Spending / Student
$12,981
$11,617
Best Mitchell County Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Harris Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
121 Harris Street
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 766-3340
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 766-3340
Gr: 6-8 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #22.
Gouge Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
134 Laurel Street
Bakersville, NC 28705
(828) 766-2260
Bakersville, NC 28705
(828) 766-2260
Gr: K-4 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Deyton Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
308 Harris Street
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 766-2070
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 766-2070
Gr: 3-5 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Bowman Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
410 S Mitchell Avenue
Bakersville, NC 28705
(828) 766-3370
Bakersville, NC 28705
(828) 766-3370
Gr: 5-8 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: n/an/a
2206 Carters Ridge Road
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 766-9562
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 766-9562
Gr: PK-2 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Recent Articles
Public School Transportation & Commute Planning Guide
Learn how public school transportation and commute planning can help families prepare for the coming school year safely and efficiently.
New Public School Safety Protocols 2025–26 Guide
Learn how new public school safety protocols for 2025–26 affect students, parents, and schools nationwide.
How Technology Transforms Education in 2025
Explore how technology shapes learning today, with updated data, policy context, trends, and real-world implications for students, educators, and families.
