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Swain County Schools School District

50 Main Street
Bryson City, NC 28713
(District boundaries shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 1,897 students in Swain County Schools School District. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
Public Schools in Swain County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
6 Schools
2,764 Schools
# Students
1,897 Students
1,547,014 Students
# Teachers
125 Teachers
100,085 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Swain County Schools School District, 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 85-89% has increased from 80-84% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#187 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
47%
51%
46%
50%
58%
63%
85-89%
86%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.55
0.71
% American Indian
17%
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
7%
21%
% Black
1%
25%
% White
64%
43%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
10%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,269 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 $15,846 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$31 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$30 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,269
$11,187
Spending / Student
$15,846
$11,612

Best Swain County Schools School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Swain County High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1415 Fontana Road
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-2152
Grades: 9-12
| 559 students
Rank: #22.
Swain County West Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4142 Hwy 19 West
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-2119
Grades: K-5
| 419 students
Rank: #33.
Swain County Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
135 Arlington Ave
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3480
Grades: 6-8
| 467 students
Rank: #44.
Swain County East Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4747 Ela Rd
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-0939
Grades: K-5
| 350 students
Rank: n/an/a
50 Main Street
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3129
Grades: K-12
| 102 students
Rank: n/an/a
Swain Academy
1417 Fontana Rd
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3120
Grades: n/a
| n/a students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Swain County Schools School District?
Swain County Schools School District manages 6 public schools serving 1,897 students.
What is the rank of Swain County Schools School District?
Swain County Schools School District is ranked #197 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 Swain County Schools School District?
64% of Swain County Schools School District students are White, 17% of students are American Indian, 10% of students are Two or more races, 7% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Swain County Schools School District?
Swain 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 Swain County Schools School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $15,846 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 6 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 1,897 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 36%
  • : 85-89% (Top 50% in NC)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 47% (Btm 50%)
  • : 46% (Btm 50%)
  • : 58% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

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