Best Schools in Bryson City, North Carolina
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Bryson City?
Use this page to compare every school in Bryson City by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Swain County East Elementary
Elementary · Swain County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Swain County Middle School
Middle · Swain County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Swain County High School
High · Swain County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Bryson City for 2026 are Swain County East Elementary (5.7/10), Swain County Middle School (5.5/10), and Swain County High School (5.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$231,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$231,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Bryson City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swain County East Elementary | 5.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Swain County Middle School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Swain County High School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Swain County West Elementary | 5.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Mountain Discovery | 4.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.1/10
- Median household income
- $56,368
- Median home value
- $231,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Bryson City compares
North Carolina rank
#228 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.1
below North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$56k
83% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Bryson City, North Carolina
Bryson City, North Carolina is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.1 out of 10, schools in Bryson City show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Bryson City is Swain County East Elementary with a composite score of 5.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Bryson City is served by 2 school districts: Mountain Discovery Charter School, Swain County Schools. These districts collectively serve 2,090 students.
Bryson City's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $56,368. The poverty rate in the area is 16.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 350 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.7 | ||
| 2 | 419 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.0 | ||
| 3 | 193 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.3 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Grace Christian Academy
Private
16 students · Pre-K–7th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 467 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 559 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 102 students · Kindergarten–12th | — |
Schools in Bryson City
Bryson City, North Carolina · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$56,368
Median Home Value
$231,300
Median Rent
$707/mo
Population
8,441
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Community Profile
Bryson City has a median household income of $56,368. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,300, with a median rent of $707/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Bryson City, North Carolina
How many schools are in Bryson City, North Carolina?
Bryson City has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Bryson City, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Bryson City is 5.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Bryson City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Bryson City on MySchoolScout is Swain County East Elementary with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Bryson City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Bryson City on MySchoolScout is Swain County East Elementary with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Bryson City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Bryson City on MySchoolScout is Swain County Middle School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best high school in Bryson City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Bryson City on MySchoolScout is Swain County High School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
How many school districts serve Bryson City, North Carolina?
Bryson City is served by 2 school districts: Mountain Discovery Charter School, Swain County Schools.
What is the education level in Bryson City, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Bryson City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Bryson City, North Carolina?
The median household income in Bryson City is approximately $56,368 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Bryson City, North Carolina?
Yes, Bryson City has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Bryson City, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Bryson City is 13.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Bryson City, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.