For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public elementary schools serving 2,520 students in Macon County, NC.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Macon County, NC are Highlands School, Cartoogechaye Elementary School and South Macon Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Macon County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Macon County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
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).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Macon County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: K-12
| 319 students
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
Grades: PK-4
| 332 students
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
Grades: PK-4
| 477 students
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
Grades: K-4
| 336 students
Rank: #55.
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
Grades: 5-6
| 605 students
Rank: #66.
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
Grades: PK-4
| 417 students
Rank: #77.
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
Grades: K-12
| 34 students
Macon County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
51 Cowee School Dr
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2938
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2938
Grades: 3-5
| n/a students
145 River Rd
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2744
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 524-2744
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Macon County, NC?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Macon County, NC include Highlands School, Cartoogechaye Elementary School and South Macon Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Macon County?
7 public elementary schools are located in Macon County.
What is the racial composition of students in Macon County?
Macon County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.