Top Rankings
Swain County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 678 students in Swain County Schools. This district's average high testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public high schools in North Carolina.
Public High Schools in Swain County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 62% (versus the 58% statewide average).
Public High School in Swain County School have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Swain County High School, with 85-89% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
6 Schools
760 Schools
# Students
1,872 Students
568,877 Students
# Teachers
104 Teachers
31,559 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Swain County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 314 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 87% has increased from 75-79% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#187 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)47%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)85-89%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.71
% American Indian
17%
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
8%
21%
% Black
n/a
25%
% White
63%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
11%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,487 is higher than the state median of $11,168. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,058 is higher than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has grown by 12% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$31 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$30 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,487
$11,168
Spending / Student
$16,058
$11,592
Best Swain County Schools Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Swain County High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1415 Fontana Road
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-2152
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-2152
Gr: 9-12 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: n/an/a
50 Main Street
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3129
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3129
Gr: K-12 | 110 students Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: n/an/a
Swain Academy
Alternative School
1417 Fontana Rd
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3120
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-3120
Gr: 9-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Recent Articles
How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
Learn how public schools train staff each year through professional development, safety training, technology instruction, and ongoing educational support.
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
Discover what substitute teachers experience in public schools, including daily responsibilities, challenges, rewards, and their role in student success.
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
Learn how teachers collaborate across departments to improve student outcomes, strengthen instruction, and prepare students for real-world success.
