For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 3,386 students in Swain County, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 113 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Swain County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Swain County, NC are Swain County High School, Mountain Discovery and Swain County West Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Swain County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Swain County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Swain County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Swain County High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1415 Fontana Road
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-2152
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-2152
Grades: 9-12
| 559 students
Rank: #22.
Mountain Discovery
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
890 Jenkins Branch Rd N
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-1222
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-1222
Grades: K-8
| 193 students
Rank: #33.
Swain County West Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4142 Hwy 19 West
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-2119
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-2119
Grades: K-5
| 419 students
Rank: #44.
Swain County Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
135 Arlington Ave
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3480
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3480
Grades: 6-8
| 467 students
Rank: #55.
Swain County East Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4747 Ela Rd
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-0939
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-0939
Grades: K-5
| 350 students
Rank: n/an/a
130 Ravensford Drive
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 554-5020
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 554-5020
Grades: K-5
| 621 students
Rank: n/an/a
200 Ravensford Drive
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 554-5030
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 554-5030
Grades: 6-12
| 675 students
Rank: n/an/a
50 Main Street
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3129
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3129
Grades: K-12
| 102 students
Rank: n/an/a
1417 Fontana Rd
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3120
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3120
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Swain County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1415 Fontana Rd
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-0190
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-0190
Grades: 9-12
| 107 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Swain County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Swain County, NC include Swain County High School, Mountain Discovery and Swain County West Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Swain County?
9 public schools are located in Swain County.
What percentage of students in Swain County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Swain County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Swain County?
Swain County public schools minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Swain County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Swain County include: Swain County West Elementary School vs. Swain County East Elementary School, Swain County East Elementary School vs. Swain County West Elementary School, Mountain Discovery vs. Swain County East Elementary School
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.