For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 3,438 students in Jackson County School District. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
Public Schools in Jackson County School District have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
9 Schools
2,734 Schools
# Students
3,438 Students
1,549,621 Students
# Teachers
200 Teachers
96,132 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Jackson County School District, 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 86% has decreased from 92% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#205 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)46%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)90%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.72
% American Indian
7%
1%
% Asian
1%
5%
% Hispanic
23%
22%
% Black
1%
24%
% White
62%
42%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,087 is higher than the state median of $11,168. The school district revenue/student has grown by 12% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,871 is higher than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$45 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$44 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,087
$11,168
Spending / Student
$12,871
$11,592
Best Jackson County School District Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Jackson Co Early College
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
404 College Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 339-4499
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 339-4499
Gr: 9-13 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 56:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #22.
Fairview School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
251 Big Orange Way
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2819
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2819
Gr: PK-8 | 797 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #33.
Smoky Mountain High School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 Smoky Mountain Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2177
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2177
Gr: 9-12 | 881 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #44.
Blue Ridge School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
95 Bobcat Drive
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-2646
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-2646
Gr: PK-6 | 144 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #55.
Cullowhee Valley School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
240 Wisdom Drive
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 293-5667
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 293-5667
Gr: PK-8 | 570 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #66.
Scotts Creek School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
516 Parris Branch
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 631-2740
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 631-2740
Gr: PK-8 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #77.
Jackson Community School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3770 Skyland Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-4328
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-4328
Gr: 5-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #88.
Blue Ridge Early College
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
95 Bobcat Dr
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-2646
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-2646
Gr: 7-13 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #99.
Smokey Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
884 Us Hwy 441n
Whittier, NC 28789
(828) 497-5535
Whittier, NC 28789
(828) 497-5535
Gr: PK-8 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Jackson County School District?
Jackson County School District manages 9 public schools serving 3,438 students.
What is the rank of Jackson County School District?
Jackson County School District is ranked #202 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.
What is the racial composition of students in Jackson County School District?
62% of Jackson County School District students are White, 23% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are American Indian, 6% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Jackson County School District?
Jackson County School District has a student/teacher ratio of 17:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 16:1.
What is Jackson County School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $12,871 is higher than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
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