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Swain County Schools

Item: Swain County Schools
Rating: 5
Author: Public School Review

50 Main Street
Bryson City, NC 28713

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (828) 488-3129

www.swain.k12.nc.us

Top Rankings

Swain County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

6 Schools

2,734 Schools

# Students

1,872 Students

1,549,621 Students

# Teachers

104 Teachers

96,132 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

17:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
Pre-K	76	76
Kind	120	316
1	133	325
2	134	331
3	125	341
4	138	325
5	133	333
6	136	333
7	133	336
8	139	338
9	163	385
10	146	359
11	156	337
12	140	315

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District Rank

Swain 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 87% has increased from 75-79% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NC)

#187 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Swain County Schools
2023	#187
2022	#187
2021	#160
2019	#136
2018	#147
2017	#149
2016	#153
2015	#146
2014	#151
2013	#132
2012	#109

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(21-22)

47%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2022	47%	51%
2021	43%	42%
2019	42%	42%
2018	41%	48%
2017	45%	47%
2016	44%	47%
2015	41%	44%
2014	39%	43%
2013	38%	42%
2012	84%	82%
2011	82%	82%

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46%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2022	46%	50%
2021	45%	47%
2019	46%	46%
2018	41%	47%
2017	46%	46%
2016	43%	47%
2015	44%	46%
2014	39%	46%
2013	40%	45%
2012	73%	73%
2011	68%	70%

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58%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2022	58%	63%
2021	62%	61%

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(21-22)

85-89%

86%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2022	87%	86%
2021	77%	85%
2020	87%	86%
2019	77%	85%
2018	77%	86%
2017	82%	88%
2016	82%	88%
2015	82%	87%
2014	82%	86%
2013	82%	85%
2012	82%	83%

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(2022-23)

44.8%

28.7%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2023	44.8%	28.7%
2022	48.8%	33.4%
2021	21.2%	25.4%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.56

0.72

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2023	0.53	0.71
2022	0.53	0.70
2021	0.51	0.69
2020	0.52	0.68
2019	0.52	0.68
2018	0.51	0.67
2017	0.51	0.67
2016	0.50	0.66
2015	0.50	0.66
2014	0.50	0.65
2013	0.50	0.65
2012	0.49	0.64
2011	0.49	0.64
2010	0.46	0.61
2009	0.44	0.61
2008	0.43	0.61
2007	0.41	0.60
2006	0.41	0.58
2005	0.41	0.58
2004	0.39	0.57
2003	0.38	0.56
2002	0.38	0.55
2001	0.37	0.53
2000	0.37	0.53
1999	0.37	0.52
1998	0.36	0.52
1997	0.33	0.50
1996	0.33	0.50
1995	0.33	0.49
1994	0.34	0.48
1993	0.35	0.48
1992	0.35	0.48
1991	0.40	0.48

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% American Indian

17%

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2023	19%	1%
2022	19%	1%
2021	21%	1%
2020	21%	1%
2019	21%	1%
2018	24%	1%
2017	24%	1%
2016	24%	1%
2015	24%	1%
2014	22%	1%
2013	24%	1%
2012	24%	1%
2011	25%	2%
2010	25%	1%
2009	25%	2%
2008	25%	2%
2007	24%	2%
2006	24%	2%
2005	23%	2%
2004	22%	2%
2003	22%	2%
2002	21%	2%
2001	21%	2%
2000	21%	2%
1999	22%	2%
1998	21%	2%
1997	20%	2%
1996	20%	2%
1995	21%	2%
1994	22%	2%
1993	22%	2%
1992	21%	2%
1991	27%	2%

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% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2008-2023)
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2023	1%	4%
2022	1%	4%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2010	1%	3%
2009	1%	2%
2008	1%	3%

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% Hispanic

22%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1996-2023)
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2023	6%	20%
2022	6%	20%
2021	7%	19%
2020	6%	18%
2019	6%	18%
2018	5%	17%
2017	5%	17%
2016	5%	16%
2015	5%	16%
2014	4%	15%
2013	4%	14%
2012	4%	13%
2011	4%	13%
2010	3%	11%
2009	3%	11%
2008	3%	11%
2007	2%	10%
2006	2%	8%
2005	2%	8%
2004	2%	7%
2003	1%	6%
2002	2%	5%
2001	1%	4%
2000	1%	4%
1999	1%	3%
1998	1%	3%
1997	1%	2%
1996	1%	2%

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% Black

n/a

24%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2023)
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2023	1%	25%
2020	1%	25%
2019	1%	25%
2015	1%	26%
2014	1%	26%
2013	1%	26%
2012	1%	26%
2010	1%	31%
2009	1%	31%
2007	1%	29%
2006	1%	32%
2005	1%	31%
2004	1%	31%
2003	1%	31%
2002	1%	31%
2001	1%	31%
2000	1%	31%
1999	1%	31%
1988	1%	30%

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% White

63%

42%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2023	65%	44%
2022	66%	45%
2021	67%	46%
2020	66%	48%
2019	66%	48%
2018	66%	49%
2017	66%	49%
2016	67%	50%
2015	66%	50%
2014	67%	51%
2013	67%	52%
2012	68%	53%
2011	68%	53%
2010	70%	54%
2009	70%	54%
2008	71%	55%
2007	73%	56%
2006	73%	56%
2005	74%	57%
2004	75%	58%
2003	76%	59%
2002	76%	60%
2001	77%	61%
2000	77%	61%
1999	76%	62%
1998	78%	63%
1997	79%	64%
1996	79%	64%
1995	79%	65%
1994	78%	66%
1993	78%	66%
1992	78%	66%
1991	73%	66%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

11%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2023	8%	6%
2022	8%	5%
2021	5%	5%
2020	5%	5%
2019	5%	5%
2018	5%	4%
2017	5%	4%
2016	4%	4%
2015	4%	4%
2014	5%	4%
2013	4%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,487 is higher than the state median of $11,168. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $16,058 is higher than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has grown by 12% over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$31 MM

$17,307 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$31 MM	$8 MM
2022	$30 MM	$8 MM
2021	$31 MM	$8 MM
2020	$30 MM	$8 MM
2019	$26 MM	$8 MM
2018	$25 MM	$8 MM
2017	$22 MM	$8 MM
2016	$23 MM	$8 MM
2015	$21 MM	$18 MM
2014	$21 MM	$10 MM
2012	$20 MM	$17 MM
2011	$21 MM	$19 MM
2010	$21 MM	$18 MM
2009	$21 MM	$19 MM
2008	$21 MM	$18 MM
2007	$19 MM	$18 MM
2006	$18 MM	$15 MM
2005	$18 MM	$15 MM
2004	$16 MM	$17 MM
2003	$17 MM	$17 MM
2002	$16 MM	$16 MM
2001	$14 MM	$17 MM
2000	$15 MM	$20 MM
1999	$13 MM	$23 MM
1998	$13 MM	$26 MM
1997	$11 MM	$34 MM
1996	$11 MM	$34 MM
1995	$10 MM	$32 MM

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Spending

$30 MM

$17,964 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$30 MM	$8 MM
2022	$27 MM	$8 MM
2021	$30 MM	$8 MM
2020	$27 MM	$8 MM
2019	$25 MM	$7 MM
2018	$25 MM	$8 MM
2017	$23 MM	$9 MM
2016	$23 MM	$8 MM
2015	$21 MM	$18 MM
2014	$21 MM	$11 MM
2012	$19 MM	$16 MM
2011	$20 MM	$17 MM
2010	$21 MM	$18 MM
2009	$20 MM	$18 MM
2008	$19 MM	$17 MM
2007	$18 MM	$18 MM
2006	$17 MM	$15 MM
2005	$17 MM	$15 MM
2004	$16 MM	$16 MM
2003	$17 MM	$17 MM
2002	$15 MM	$15 MM
2001	$14 MM	$17 MM
2000	$15 MM	$20 MM
1999	$13 MM	$24 MM
1998	$13 MM	$26 MM
1997	$11 MM	$36 MM
1996	$10 MM	$33 MM
1995	$10 MM	$32 MM

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Revenue / Student

$16,487

$11,168

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$16,159	$10,093
2022	$15,677	$9,918
2021	$15,983	$10,282
2020	$15,677	$9,918
2019	$12,662	$9,125
2018	$12,076	$9,419
2017	$10,787	$10,522
2016	$11,072	$9,128
2015	$10,177	$10,864
2014	$10,580	$9,046
2012	$9,550	$10,562
2011	$10,037	$12,703
2010	$10,643	$10,864
2009	$10,728	$11,105
2008	$10,382	$11,767
2007	$10,101	$9,479
2006	$9,655	$9,335
2005	$10,281	$8,913
2004	$8,856	$8,734
2003	$9,217	$8,577
2002	$8,484	$8,130
2001	$8,226	$7,294
2000	$8,804	$7,636
1999	$7,996	$7,252
1998	$7,995	$5,688
1997	$6,586	$5,690
1995	$6,104	$5,545
1992	$5,687	$4,737

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Spending / Student

$16,058

$11,592

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Swain County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$15,738	$9,807
2022	$14,277	$9,654
2021	$15,567	$9,990
2020	$14,277	$9,654
2019	$12,083	$8,949
2018	$11,870	$9,637
2017	$11,035	$11,583
2016	$11,401	$9,753
2015	$9,845	$10,591
2014	$10,494	$9,388
2012	$9,441	$10,336
2011	$9,562	$11,927
2010	$10,296	$10,591
2009	$10,263	$10,880
2008	$9,716	$11,136
2007	$9,657	$9,418
2006	$9,225	$8,813
2005	$9,731	$8,647
2004	$8,640	$8,413
2003	$9,556	$8,886
2002	$8,010	$7,903
2001	$7,850	$7,301
2000	$8,506	$7,650
1999	$7,713	$7,340
1998	$7,704	$5,663
1997	$6,477	$6,040
1995	$6,058	$5,570
1992	$6,050	$4,725

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Best Swain County Schools Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Swain County High School

(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

1415 Fontana Road
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-2152

Gr: 9-12 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 33%

Rank: #22.

Swain County West Elementary School

(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

4142 Hwy 19 West
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-2119

Gr: K-6 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 27%

Rank: #33.

Swain County Middle School

(Math: 43% | Reading: 45%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

135 Arlington Ave
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3480

Gr: 6-8 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 39%

Rank: #44.

Swain County East Elementary School

(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

4747 Ela Rd
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-0939

Gr: K-5 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%

Rank: n/an/a

Cherokee Extension School

Add to Compare

50 Main Street
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3129

Gr: K-12 | 110 students Minority enrollment: 32%

Rank: n/an/a

Swain Academy

Alternative School

Add to Compare

1417 Fontana Rd
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3120

Gr: 9-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 47%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Swain County Schools?

Swain County Schools manages 6 public schools serving 1,872 students.

What is the rank of Swain County Schools?

Swain County Schools is ranked #195 out of 314 school districts in North Carolina (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)

What is the racial composition of students in Swain County Schools?

63% of Swain County Schools students are White, 17% of students are American Indian, 11% of students are Two or more races, 8% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Swain County Schools?

Swain County Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 17:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 16:1.

What is Swain County Schools's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $16,058 is higher than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has grown by 12% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 6 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 1,872 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Minority Enrollment: 37%
: 85-89% (Top 20% in NC)
: Bottom 50%
: 47% (Btm 50%)
: 46% (Btm 50%)
: 58% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education