For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public schools serving 1,170 students in Mills River, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 60 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Mills River, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Mills River, NC are Glenn C Marlow Elementary School and Mills River Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Mills River, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 79% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 71% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Mills River have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% 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 Mills River, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Glenn C Marlow Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1985 Butler Bridge Road
Mills River, NC 28759
(828) 654-3225
Mills River, NC 28759
(828) 654-3225
Gr: K-5 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #22.
Mills River Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
94 School House Road
Mills River, NC 28759
(828) 891-6563
Mills River, NC 28759
(828) 891-6563
Gr: PK-5 | 608 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Mills River, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Mills River, NC include Glenn C Marlow Elementary School and Mills River Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Mills River?
2 public schools are located in Mills River.
What percentage of students in Mills River go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Mills River are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Mills River?
Mills River public schools minority enrollment is 20% 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 Mills River are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Mills River include: Mills River Elementary School vs. Glenn C Marlow Elementary School, Glenn C Marlow Elementary School vs. Mills River Elementary School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
