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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Haywood County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 7,180 students in Haywood County, NC (there are 6 private schools, serving 336 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Haywood County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Haywood County, NC are Haywood Early College, Riverbend Elementary School and Pisgah High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Haywood County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Haywood County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Haywood County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Haywood Early College
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
185 Freedlander Drive
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 565-4000
Gr: 9-13 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 42:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Riverbend Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
71 Learning Lane
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-6565
Gr: K-5 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Pisgah High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1 Black Bear Drive
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3440
Gr: 9-12 | 859 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Bethel Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4700 Old River Road
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3448
Gr: K-5 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Tuscola High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
564 Tuscola School Rd
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2408
Gr: 9-12 | 873 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #66.
Bethel Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
630 Sonoma Road
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 646-3442
Gr: 6-8 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
Junaluska Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2238 Asheville Road
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2407
Gr: K-5 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #88.
North Canton Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
60 Thompson St
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3444
Gr: PK-5 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #99.
Hazelwood Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1111 Plott Creek Road
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2406
Gr: PK-5 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1010.
Clyde Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4182 Old Clyde Road
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-2206
Gr: PK-5 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Jonathan Valley Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
410 Hall Drive
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 926-3207
Gr: PK-5 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Meadowbrook Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
85 Morningstar Rd
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3445
Gr: PK-5 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1313.
Waynesville Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
495 Brown Ave
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 456-2403
Gr: 6-8 | 727 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1414.
Canton Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
60 Penland St
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 646-3467
Gr: 6-8 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1515.
Shining Rock Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2150 Russ Avenue
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 476-5150
Gr: K-12 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1616.
Central Haywood High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
62 Joy Lane
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 627-9944
Gr: 9-12 | 63 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 24%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Haywood County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Haywood County, NC include Haywood Early College, Riverbend Elementary School and Pisgah High School.
How many public schools are located in Haywood County?
16 public schools are located in Haywood County.
What percentage of students in Haywood County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Haywood County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Haywood County?
Haywood County public schools minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Haywood County are often viewed compared to one another?

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