Skip to main content

Very Good

#609 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 23% in state

Bethel Elementary

Elementary School · Haywood County Schools

4700 Old River Road, Canton, NC 28716

Enrollment

528

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#609 of 2,648

In Canton

#3 of 5

public schools

In district

#6 of 15

Haywood County Schools

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Bethel Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Bethel Elementary

7.7/10

Elementary School in Canton · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bethel Middle

8.9/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Clyde Elementary

5.4/10

3.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bethel Elementary

Bethel Elementary is a public elementary school in Canton, NC, part of Haywood County Schools. Bethel Elementary serves approximately 528 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Bethel Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #609 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Bethel Elementary show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Bethel Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.8 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+21.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,458
Chronic Absenteeism12.3%

Bethel Elementary — Students at Bethel Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 63.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
94%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
97%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
74%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
75%
ELA
60%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
60%
2016
Math
68%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
71%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
77.4%
ELA
68.7%
2025
Math
76%
ELA
60.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.

How Bethel Elementary Compares

See how Bethel Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
77th percentile in NC
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4700 Old River Road, Canton, NC 28716

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bethel Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Riverbend Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Clyde), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Canton Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Junaluska Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Canton, see our Canton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Bethel Middle Waynesville 1.0 mi 8.9
Clyde Elementary Clyde 3.3 mi 5.4
Haywood Early College Clyde 3.6 mi 7.1
Pisgah High Canton 3.6 mi 8.1
Canton Middle Canton 3.8 mi 6.1
Meadowbrook Elementary Canton 4.0 mi 5.7
Tuscola High Waynesville 4.4 mi 7.1
Junaluska Elementary Waynesville 4.5 mi 7.8
North Canton Elementary Canton 5.2 mi 8.3
Shining Rock Classical Academy Waynesville 6.1 mi 5.8
Central Haywood High Waynesville 5.9 mi 4.8
BLUE RIDGE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesville 6.3 mi
Waynesville Middle Waynesville 6.2 mi 6.9
HAYWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waynesville 6.5 mi 7.0
ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville 6.3 mi 7.4
Riverbend Elementary Clyde 7.5 mi 9.0
Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville 7.1 mi 6.2
Jonathan Valley Elementary Waynesville 8.7 mi 5.6
Pisgah Elementary Candler 8.9 mi 5.9
Candler Elementary Candler 11.2 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28716 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,008

Median Home Value

$223,600

Median Rent

$961/mo

Population

16,216

College Educated

23.9%

Homeownership

75%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.3%

Median Age

43.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Balls Creek Elementary Newton, NC 7.7
Belvoir Elementary Greenville, NC 7.7
Bethel Elementary Midland, NC 7.7
Bruce Drysdale Elementary Hendersonville, NC 7.7
Carpenter Elementary Cary, NC 7.7
Cherryville Elementary Cherryville, NC 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bethel Elementary

What grades does Bethel Elementary serve?

Bethel Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Bethel Elementary?

Bethel Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 528 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethel Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bethel Elementary is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bethel Elementary rank in NC?

Bethel Elementary ranks #609 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Bethel Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bethel Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bethel Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bethel Elementary has 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Bethel Elementary a charter school?

No, Bethel Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bethel Elementary a Title I school?

No, Bethel Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bethel Elementary?

99.4% of students at Bethel Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
528
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Haywood County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.3%

District

Haywood County Schools
District Enrollment
6,566
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,458
District Rank
#6 of 15

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.