Best Schools in Sylva, North Carolina
8 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Sylva?
Use this page to compare every school in Sylva 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.
Catamount School
Middle · Catamount School. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Smoky Mountain High School
High · Jackson County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Jackson Co Early College
High · Jackson County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Sylva for 2026 are Catamount School (8.3/10), Smoky Mountain High School (7.3/10), and Jackson Co Early College (6.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$234,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$234,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +1.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Sylva schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Sylva
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 8 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catamount School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Smoky Mountain High School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Jackson Co Early College | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Scotts Creek School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Fairview School | 4.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Jackson Community School | 4.1 / 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
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $54,407
- Median home value
- $234,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Sylva compares
North Carolina rank
#131 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$54k
80% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
8
Jackson County Public Schools runs 83% of Sylva's public schools
Sylva touches 2 districts, but Jackson County Public Schools is the one most addresses actually attend.
Jackson County Public Schools accounts for 5 of 6 public schools (83%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.1 to 8.3 — the spread is inside Sylva, not a citywide average.
- Jackson County Public Schools5 public · 83%
- Catamount School1 public · 17%
About Schools in Sylva, North Carolina
Sylva, North Carolina is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in Sylva show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Sylva is Catamount School with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Sylva is served by 2 school districts: Catamount School, Jackson County Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 3,605 students.
Sylva's community shows 28% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $54,407. 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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 438 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | 781 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.6 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Heritage Christian AcademyPrivate 85 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 59 students · 6th–8th | 8.3 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 899 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 2 | 109 students · 9th–UG | 6.7 |
| 3 | 69 students · 5th–12th | 4.1 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victory Christian SchoolPrivate 100 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Sylva
Sylva, North Carolina · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$54,407
Median Home Value
$234,200
Median Rent
$803/mo
Population
17,845
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Community Profile
Sylva has a median household income of $54,407. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,200, with a median rent of $803/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. 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
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 Sylva, North Carolina
How many schools are in Sylva, North Carolina?
Sylva has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Sylva, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Sylva is 6.2 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 Sylva, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Sylva on MySchoolScout is Catamount School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Sylva, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Sylva on MySchoolScout is Scotts Creek School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Sylva, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Sylva on MySchoolScout is Catamount School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best high school in Sylva, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Sylva on MySchoolScout is Smoky Mountain High School with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve Sylva, North Carolina?
Sylva is served by 2 school districts: Catamount School, Jackson County Public Schools.
What is the education level in Sylva, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Sylva have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Sylva, North Carolina?
The median household income in Sylva is approximately $54,407 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Sylva, North Carolina?
Yes, Sylva has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Victory Christian School with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Sylva, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Sylva is 13.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Sylva, 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.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
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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.