For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 2,076 students in Yancey County, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 97 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Yancey County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Yancey County, NC are Mountain Heritage High School, Blue Ridge Elementary School and South Toe Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Yancey County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Yancey County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Yancey County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mountain Heritage High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
333 Mtn Heritage Hs Road
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-6103
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-6103
Gr: 9-12 | 642 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #22.
Blue Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
910 Cane River School Rd
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-8150
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-8150
Gr: PK-5 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
South Toe Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
139 South Toe School Rd
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 675-4321
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 675-4321
Gr: K-5 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
East Yancey Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
285 Georges Fork Road
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-2281
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-2281
Gr: 6-8 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #55.
Burnsville Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
395 Burnsville School Road
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-4515
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-4515
Gr: PK-5 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
Cane River Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1128 Cane River School Road
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-2202
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-2202
Gr: 6-8 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Yancey County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
100 Bald Creek School Road
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-2535
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-2535
Gr: PK-5 | 180 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
55 Bee Log Road
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-3271
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-3271
Gr: K-5 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
1175 Clearmont School Road
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-2337
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-2337
Gr: K-5 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
4256 Nc 197
Green Mountain, NC 28740
(828) 688-4853
Green Mountain, NC 28740
(828) 688-4853
Gr: K-5 | 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
505 Burnsville School Rd
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-6101
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 682-6101
Gr: K-8
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Yancey County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Yancey County, NC include Mountain Heritage High School, Blue Ridge Elementary School and South Toe Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Yancey County?
7 public schools are located in Yancey County.
What percentage of students in Yancey County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Yancey County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Yancey County?
Yancey County public schools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Yancey County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Yancey County include: Burnsville Elementary School vs. South Toe Elementary School, South Toe Elementary School vs. Burnsville Elementary School
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