Jackson County 51��s

398 Hospital Road
Sylva, NC 28779-5196

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 3,541 students in Jackson County 51��s. This district's average is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.

51��s in Jackson County 51��s have an score of 47% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and score of 43% (versus the 50% statewide average).

Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

9 Schools

2,761 Schools

# Students

3,541 Students

1,546,447 Students

# Teachers

244 Teachers

100,041 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

15:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
Pre-K	118	67
Kind	221	313
1	236	325
2	271	335
3	279	318
4	236	325
5	245	328
6	239	330
7	273	332
8	261	338
9	305	392
10	316	359
11	281	334
12	260	297

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District Rank

Jackson County 51��s, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 320 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.

This School District

State Average (NC)

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

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Jackson County 51��s
2023	#205
2022	#205
2021	#193
2019	#189
2018	#199
2017	#193
2016	#180
2015	#180
2014	#146
2013	#124
2012	#117

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(21-22)

46%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2022	46%	51%
2021	37%	42%
2019	35%	42%
2018	34%	48%
2017	39%	47%
2016	38%	47%
2015	34%	44%
2014	36%	43%
2013	36%	42%
2012	83%	82%
2011	82%	82%

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44%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2022	44%	50%
2021	43%	47%
2019	42%	46%
2018	34%	47%
2017	43%	46%
2016	45%	47%
2015	43%	46%
2014	45%	46%
2013	45%	45%
2012	74%	73%
2011	71%	70%

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61%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2022	61%	63%
2021	60%	61%

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(21-22)

90%

86%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2022	90%	86%
2021	93%	85%
2020	93%	86%
2019	89%	85%
2018	92%	86%
2017	87%	88%
2016	87%	88%
2015	84%	87%
2014	88%	86%
2013	84%	85%
2012	86%	83%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.54

0.71

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2023	0.52	0.71
2022	0.51	0.70
2021	0.49	0.69
2020	0.46	0.68
2019	0.46	0.68
2018	0.45	0.67
2017	0.45	0.67
2016	0.43	0.66
2015	0.41	0.66
2014	0.40	0.65
2013	0.39	0.65
2012	0.38	0.64
2011	0.38	0.64
2010	0.36	0.61
2009	0.35	0.61
2008	0.32	0.61
2007	0.30	0.60
2006	0.30	0.58
2005	0.30	0.58
2004	0.29	0.57
2003	0.27	0.56
2002	0.26	0.55
2001	0.25	0.53
2000	0.23	0.53
1999	0.22	0.52
1998	0.20	0.52
1997	0.19	0.50
1996	0.17	0.50
1995	0.18	0.49
1994	0.19	0.48
1993	0.20	0.48
1992	0.20	0.48
1991	0.20	0.48

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% American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2023	6%	1%
2022	7%	1%
2021	6%	1%
2020	7%	1%
2019	7%	1%
2018	8%	1%
2017	8%	1%
2016	9%	1%
2015	8%	1%
2014	10%	1%
2013	10%	1%
2012	9%	1%
2011	11%	2%
2010	11%	1%
2009	11%	2%
2008	11%	2%
2007	11%	2%
2006	11%	2%
2005	11%	2%
2004	11%	2%
2003	10%	2%
2002	10%	2%
2001	11%	2%
2000	10%	2%
1999	10%	2%
1998	9%	2%
1997	9%	2%
1996	9%	2%
1995	9%	2%
1994	8%	2%
1993	10%	2%
1992	10%	2%
1991	10%	2%

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% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2023)
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2023	1%	4%
2022	2%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2018	1%	3%
2017	1%	3%
2016	1%	3%
2015	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	2%
2010	2%	3%
2009	1%	2%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	1%	2%
2005	1%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%

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% Hispanic

21%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1989-2023)
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2023	19%	20%
2022	18%	20%
2021	17%	19%
2020	15%	18%
2019	15%	18%
2018	14%	17%
2017	14%	17%
2016	13%	16%
2015	12%	16%
2014	10%	15%
2013	9%	14%
2012	9%	13%
2011	8%	13%
2010	6%	11%
2009	6%	11%
2008	6%	11%
2007	5%	10%
2006	4%	8%
2005	3%	8%
2004	3%	7%
2003	2%	6%
2002	2%	5%
2001	1%	4%
2000	1%	4%
1999	1%	3%
1998	1%	3%
1997	1%	2%
1989	1%	1%

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% Black

25%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1992-2023)
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2023	1%	25%
2022	1%	25%
2021	1%	25%
2020	2%	25%
2019	2%	25%
2018	1%	26%
2017	1%	26%
2016	1%	26%
2015	1%	26%
2014	1%	26%
2013	1%	26%
2012	2%	26%
2011	1%	26%
2010	2%	31%
2009	3%	31%
2008	1%	29%
2007	1%	29%
2006	2%	32%
2005	2%	31%
2004	2%	31%
2003	2%	31%
2002	2%	31%
2001	2%	31%
2000	2%	31%
1999	1%	31%
1998	1%	30%
1997	1%	31%
1995	1%	30%
1994	1%	30%
1993	1%	30%
1992	1%	30%

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% White

65%

43%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2023	67%	44%
2022	67%	45%
2021	69%	46%
2020	72%	48%
2019	72%	48%
2018	73%	49%
2017	73%	49%
2016	74%	50%
2015	76%	50%
2014	76%	51%
2013	77%	52%
2012	78%	53%
2011	78%	53%
2010	79%	54%
2009	79%	54%
2008	81%	55%
2007	82%	56%
2006	82%	56%
2005	83%	57%
2004	83%	58%
2003	85%	59%
2002	86%	60%
2001	86%	61%
2000	87%	61%
1999	88%	62%
1998	88%	63%
1997	89%	64%
1996	91%	64%
1995	90%	65%
1994	90%	66%
1993	89%	66%
1992	89%	66%
1991	89%	66%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2023	6%	6%
2022	5%	5%
2021	5%	5%
2020	3%	5%
2019	3%	5%
2018	3%	4%
2017	3%	4%
2016	2%	4%
2015	2%	4%
2014	2%	4%
2013	2%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,706 is higher than the state median of $11,191. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $12,496 is higher than the state median of $11,616. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$45 MM

$17,307 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2023	$45 MM	$8 MM
2022	$42 MM	$8 MM
2021	$45 MM	$8 MM
2020	$42 MM	$8 MM
2019	$42 MM	$8 MM
2018	$39 MM	$8 MM
2017	$39 MM	$8 MM
2016	$38 MM	$8 MM
2015	$39 MM	$18 MM
2014	$37 MM	$10 MM
2012	$36 MM	$17 MM
2011	$40 MM	$19 MM
2010	$39 MM	$18 MM
2009	$40 MM	$19 MM
2008	$39 MM	$18 MM
2007	$36 MM	$18 MM
2006	$35 MM	$15 MM
2005	$33 MM	$15 MM
2004	$32 MM	$17 MM
2003	$30 MM	$17 MM
2002	$29 MM	$16 MM
2001	$30 MM	$17 MM
2000	$29 MM	$20 MM
1999	$24 MM	$23 MM
1998	$24 MM	$26 MM
1997	$20 MM	$34 MM
1996	$19 MM	$34 MM
1995	$20 MM	$32 MM

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Spending

$44 MM

$17,964 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2023	$44 MM	$8 MM
2022	$43 MM	$8 MM
2021	$44 MM	$8 MM
2020	$43 MM	$8 MM
2019	$44 MM	$7 MM
2018	$39 MM	$8 MM
2017	$39 MM	$9 MM
2016	$39 MM	$8 MM
2015	$34 MM	$18 MM
2014	$34 MM	$11 MM
2012	$36 MM	$16 MM
2011	$37 MM	$17 MM
2010	$34 MM	$18 MM
2009	$36 MM	$18 MM
2008	$36 MM	$17 MM
2007	$34 MM	$18 MM
2006	$32 MM	$15 MM
2005	$31 MM	$15 MM
2004	$30 MM	$16 MM
2003	$28 MM	$17 MM
2002	$28 MM	$15 MM
2001	$28 MM	$17 MM
2000	$28 MM	$20 MM
1999	$23 MM	$24 MM
1998	$24 MM	$26 MM
1997	$20 MM	$36 MM
1996	$19 MM	$33 MM
1995	$20 MM	$32 MM

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Revenue / Student

$12,706

$11,191

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2023	$12,653	$10,093
2022	$11,646	$9,918
2021	$12,703	$10,282
2020	$11,646	$9,918
2019	$11,358	$9,125
2018	$10,629	$9,419
2017	$10,218	$10,522
2016	$10,214	$9,128
2015	$10,402	$10,864
2014	$10,008	$9,046
2012	$9,733	$10,562
2011	$11,028	$12,703
2010	$10,628	$10,864
2009	$10,657	$11,105
2008	$10,519	$11,767
2007	$9,768	$9,479
2006	$9,315	$9,335
2005	$9,076	$8,913
2004	$8,610	$8,734
2003	$7,998	$8,577
2002	$7,995	$8,130
2001	$8,350	$7,294
2000	$7,965	$7,636
1999	$6,660	$7,252
1998	$6,710	$5,688
1997	$5,494	$5,690
1995	$5,766	$5,545
1992	$5,420	$4,737

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Spending / Student

$12,496

$11,616

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Jackson County 51��s	North Carolina
2023	$12,443	$9,807
2022	$11,914	$9,654
2021	$12,493	$9,990
2020	$11,914	$9,654
2019	$12,015	$8,949
2018	$10,477	$9,637
2017	$10,235	$11,583
2016	$10,396	$9,753
2015	$9,286	$10,591
2014	$9,334	$9,388
2012	$9,747	$10,336
2011	$10,045	$11,927
2010	$9,488	$10,591
2009	$9,726	$10,880
2008	$9,689	$11,136
2007	$9,143	$9,418
2006	$8,643	$8,813
2005	$8,422	$8,647
2004	$8,060	$8,413
2003	$7,494	$8,886
2002	$7,605	$7,903
2001	$7,940	$7,301
2000	$7,682	$7,650
1999	$6,471	$7,340
1998	$6,569	$5,663
1997	$5,373	$6,040
1995	$5,646	$5,570
1992	$4,772	$4,725

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Best Jackson County 51��s 51��s (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Jackson Co Early College

(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥80%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

404 College Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 339-4499

Gr: 9-13 | 109 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 31%

Rank: #22.

Fairview School

(Math: 63% | Reading: 51%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

251 Big Orange Way
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2819

Gr: PK-8 | 781 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%

Rank: #33.

Smoky Mountain High School

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

Top 50%

Add to Compare

100 Smoky Mountain Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-2177

Gr: 9-12 | 899 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%

Rank: #44.

Blue Ridge School

(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

95 Bobcat Drive
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-2646

Gr: PK-6 | 149 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%

Rank: #55.

Cullowhee Valley School

(Math: 46% | Reading: 39%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

240 Wisdom Drive
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(828) 293-5667

Gr: PK-8 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%

Rank: #66.

Scotts Creek School

(Math: 35% | Reading: 39%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

516 Parris Branch
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 631-2740

Gr: PK-8 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 31%

Rank: #77.

Jackson Community School

Alternative School

(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤10%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

3770 Skyland Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-4328

Gr: 5-12 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 38%

Rank: #88.

Blue Ridge Early College

(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

95 Bobcat Dr
Cashiers, NC 28717
(828) 743-2646

Gr: 7-13 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 46%

Rank: #99.

Smokey Mountain Elementary School

(Math: 28% | Reading: 36%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

884 Us Hwy 441n
Whittier, NC 28789
(828) 497-5535

Gr: PK-8 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 58%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Jackson County 51��s?

Jackson County 51��s manages 9 public schools serving 3,541 students.

What is the rank of Jackson County 51��s?

Jackson County 51��s is ranked #203 out of 320 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 51��s?

65% of Jackson County 51��s students are White, 21% of students are Hispanic, 6% 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 51��s?

Jackson County 51��s has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is equal to the North Carolina state average of 15:1.

What is Jackson County 51��s's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $12,496 is higher than the state median of $11,616. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

District size: 9 schools
Grades: PK-13
Enrollment: 3,541 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 35%
: 90% (Top 50% in NC)
: Bottom 50%
: 46% (Btm 50%)
: 44% (Btm 50%)
: 61% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education