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 4 public elementary schools serving 1,143 students in Mitchell 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 Mitchell County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 18% 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
6 Schools
2,146 Schools
# Students
1,731 Students
1,094,560 Students
# Teachers
128 Teachers
71,669 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Mitchell County Schools, which is ranked within the top 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 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%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)22.2%
28.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.31
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
5%
% Hispanic
14%
22%
% Black
1%
24%
% White
82%
42%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,942 is higher than the state median of $11,177. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,689 is higher than the state median of $11,601. The school district spending/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$22 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$22 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,942
$11,177
Spending / Student
$12,689
$11,601
Best Mitchell County Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Gouge Primary
(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: PK-2 | 144 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
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 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: n/an/a
5035 S 226 Hwy Ste A
Bakersville, NC 28705
(828) 766-2070
Bakersville, NC 28705
(828) 766-2070
Gr: 3-5 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
5035 S 226 Hwy Ste B
Bakersville, NC 28705
(828) 766-3340
Bakersville, NC 28705
(828) 766-3340
Gr: 6-8 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Recent Articles
How to Evaluate School Safety Beyond Headlines
Learn how to evaluate school safety beyond headlines by examining reliable data, school climate, emergency planning, bullying prevention, communication, student experiences, and everyday security practices before choosing a school.
Choosing a Public School for Executive Function Needs
Learn how to choose a public school for a child with executive function challenges by evaluating routines, classroom support, organization, accommodations, communication, transitions, and special education services before enrollment.
What School Climate Surveys Tell You Before Enrolling
Learn how school climate surveys reveal student safety, belonging, relationships, engagement, and support, and how families can interpret results carefully before choosing a public school for their child today.
