For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 3,899 students in Jackson County, NC (there are 2 private schools, serving 167 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Jackson County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Jackson County, NC are Jackson Co Early College, Summit Charter and Fairview School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jackson County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Jackson County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 34% 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 Jackson County (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.
Summit Charter
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
370 Mitten Lane
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-5755
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-5755
Gr: K-12 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
Catamount School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1 University Drive Reid 100
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 227-7500
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 227-7500
Gr: 6-8 | 64 students Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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
What are the top-ranked public schools in Jackson County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Jackson County, NC include Jackson Co Early College, Summit Charter and Fairview School.
How many public schools are located in Jackson County?
11 public schools are located in Jackson County.
What percentage of students in Jackson County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Jackson County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jackson County?
Jackson County public schools minority enrollment is 34% 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 Jackson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Jackson County include: Cullowhee Valley School vs. Fairview School, Jackson Co Early College vs. Smoky Mountain High School, Fairview School vs. Cullowhee Valley School
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