Top Rankings
Macon County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 8 public elementary schools serving 2,607 students in Macon County Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in North Carolina.
Public Elementary Schools in Macon County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
12 Schools
2,171 Schools
# Students
4,455 Students
1,090,440 Students
# Teachers
323 Teachers
73,859 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Macon County Schools, which is ranked within the top 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 93% has increased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#155 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)50%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
63%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)89%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.41
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
22%
21%
% Black
1%
25%
% White
73%
43%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,629 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 $11,826 is higher than the state median of $11,616. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$52 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$53 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,629
$11,191
Spending / Student
$11,826
$11,616
Best Macon County Schools Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Highlands School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
545 Pierson Dr
Highlands, NC 28741
(828) 526-2147
Highlands, NC 28741
(828) 526-2147
Gr: K-12 | 319 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #22.
Cartoogechaye Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3295 Old Murphy Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2845
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2845
Gr: PK-4 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
South Macon Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
855 Addington Bridge Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 369-0796
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 369-0796
Gr: PK-4 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #44.
East Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
100 Watauga St
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-3216
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-3216
Gr: K-4 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #55.
Nantahala School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
213 Windingstairs Rd
Topton, NC 28781
(828) 321-4388
Topton, NC 28781
(828) 321-4388
Gr: K-12 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #66.
Mountain View Intermediate
(Math: 49% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
161 Clarks Chapel Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 349-1325
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 349-1325
Gr: 5-6 | 605 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #77.
Iotla Valley Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1166 Iotla Church Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2938
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2938
Gr: PK-4 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #88.
Macon Virtual Academy
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
158 Union School Rd
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 369-3314
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 369-3314
Gr: K-12 | 34 students Minority enrollment: 24%
Recent Articles

Bullying, Name-Calling & Put-Downs: Parent Guide 2025
Practical tips for parents to address bullying, name-calling, and put-downs鈥攚ith 2025 data, policies, and expert strategies.

What Is a Magnet School? (2025 Guide)
Explore what a magnet school is, how it works, and its benefits in 2025. Clear explanation for parents, students, and educators.

Cooperative Learning in 2025: Evidence, Best Practices & Challenges
Explore cooperative learning in 2025鈥攏ew data, updated practices, expert insights for educators and families.