For the 2025 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 1,628 students in Macon County, NC.
The top ranked public high schools in Macon County, NC are Franklin High School, Highlands School and Macon Early College High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Macon County, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 60% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Macon County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
Macon County, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 86%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Franklin High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Macon County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,036 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 319 students
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
Grades: 9-13
| 132 students
Rank: #44.
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
Rank: #55.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 107 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 high schools in Macon County, NC?
The top ranked public high schools in Macon County, NC include Franklin High School, Highlands School and Macon Early College High School.
How many public high schools are located in Macon County?
5 public high schools are located in Macon County.
What is the racial composition of students in Macon County?
Macon County public high schools minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Macon County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Macon County include: Franklin High School vs. Highlands School, Franklin High School vs. Macon Early College High School, Highlands School vs. Franklin High School
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.