Top Rankings
Macon County Schools School District 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 12 public schools serving 4,455 students in Macon County Schools School District. This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
Public Schools in Macon County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 27% 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
12 Schools
2,764 Schools
# Students
4,455 Students
1,547,014 Students
# Teachers
323 Teachers
100,085 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Macon County Schools School District, 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
0.71
% 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 $11,187. 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 $11,612. 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
$11,187
Spending / Student
$11,826
$11,612
Best Macon County Schools School District Public Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Franklin High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 Panther Drive
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-6467
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-6467
Gr: 9-12 | 1,036 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
Macon Early College High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
77 Siler Farm Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2002
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2002
Gr: 9-13 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 33:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
Macon Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1345 Wells Grove Rd
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-3766
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-3766
Gr: 7-8 | 573 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1010.
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: #1111.
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%
Rank: #1212.
Bartram Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
158 Union School Rd
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 369-1277
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 369-1277
Gr: 9-12 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Macon County Schools School District?
Macon County Schools School District manages 12 public schools serving 4,455 students.
What is the rank of Macon County Schools School District?
Macon County Schools School District is ranked #157 out of 320 school districts in North Carolina (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
What is the racial composition of students in Macon County Schools School District?
73% of Macon County Schools School District students are White, 22% of students are Hispanic, 3% 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 Macon County Schools School District?
Macon County Schools School District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What is Macon County Schools School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $11,826 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles

School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.

Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.

Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.