Best Schools in Mills River, North Carolina
3 schools · 3 Elementary
Choosing a school in Mills River?
Use this page to compare every school in Mills River 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.
Mills River Elementary
Elementary · Henderson County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Glenn C Marlow Elementary
Elementary · Henderson County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mills River Seventh-day Adventist School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Mills River for 2026 are Mills River Elementary (8.5/10), Glenn C Marlow Elementary (8.4/10), and Mills River Seventh-day Adventist School (5.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$364,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$364,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Mills River
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mills River Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Glenn C Marlow Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Mills River Seventh-day Adventist School | 5.5 / 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
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $88,984
- Median home value
- $364,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 43%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 87%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Mills River compares
North Carolina rank
#20 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$89k
131% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Mills River, North Carolina
Mills River, North Carolina is home to 3 schools, including 2 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools.
With an average rating of 7.5 out of 10, schools in Mills River perform strongly 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 Mills River is Mills River Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Mills River is served by 1 school district: Henderson County Schools. These districts collectively serve 12,660 students.
Mills River's community shows 43% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $88,984. The poverty rate in the area is 2.7%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 579 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 557 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 | ||
| 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 | 51 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Mills River
Mills River, North Carolina · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$88,984
Median Home Value
$364,900
Median Rent
$1,611/mo
Population
7,564
College Educated
43%
Homeownership
87%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Community Profile
Mills River has a median household income of $88,984. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $364,900, with a median rent of $1,611/month. The local poverty rate of 2.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 3
Resources
School District
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 Mills River, North Carolina
How many schools are in Mills River, North Carolina?
Mills River has 3 schools, including 2 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Mills River, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Mills River is 7.5 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 Mills River, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Mills River on MySchoolScout is Mills River Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Mills River, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Mills River on MySchoolScout is Mills River Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10.
How many school districts serve Mills River, North Carolina?
Mills River is served by 1 school district: Henderson County Schools.
What is the education level in Mills River, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 43% of adults in Mills River have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Mills River, North Carolina?
The median household income in Mills River is approximately $88,984 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Mills River, North Carolina?
Yes, Mills River has 1 private school alongside 2 public schools. The top-rated private school is Mills River Seventh-day Adventist School with a score of 5.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Mills River, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Mills River is 13.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Mills River, 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.