Very Good
#612 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
Enrollment
528
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Canton
#3 of 5
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#528 of 1,474
In district
#6 of 15
Haywood County Schools
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Bethel Elementary
Bethel Elementary serves 528 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Canton, North Carolina, earning recognition as one of the state's stronger elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking in the 84th percentile statewide at #413 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, Bethel demonstrates solid academic performance across its grade levels. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.1 to 1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers supporting student learning.
Academic achievement is particularly strong in mathematics, where 76% of students perform at proficient or above levels, while 60% of students meet proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. Bethel Elementary draws families from the surrounding 28716 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $55,261 and median home values reach $202,700. The community of 17,007 residents includes 22% with bachelor's degrees or higher, with a poverty rate of 14.4%.
This working-class community values education while facing typical economic challenges of rural areas. Located on Old River Road in Haywood County, Bethel Elementary sits in a rural setting near the town of Canton, providing students with a close-knit school environment surrounded by the natural beauty of western North Carolina's mountains and valleys.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Bethel Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Bethel Elementary — Students at Bethel Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.2/10.
How Bethel Elementary Compares
See how Bethel Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 76% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 60.4% (2025).
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. Candler Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Candler), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Canton Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Junaluska Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 8.6 |
| Clyde Elementary Clyde | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Haywood Early College Clyde | 3.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Pisgah High Canton | 3.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Canton Middle Canton | 3.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary Canton | 4.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Tuscola High Waynesville | 4.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Junaluska Elementary Waynesville | 4.5 mi | 8.3 |
| North Canton Elementary Canton | 5.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Shining Rock Classical Academy Waynesville | 6.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Central Haywood High Waynesville | 5.9 mi | 5.3 |
| BLUE RIDGE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesville | 6.3 mi | — |
| Waynesville Middle Waynesville | 6.2 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 7.7 |
| Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville | 7.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Jonathan Valley Elementary Waynesville | 8.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Pisgah Elementary Candler | 8.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Candler Elementary Candler | 11.2 mi | 9.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bethel Elementary has a median household income of $60,008. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,600, with a median rent of $961/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 7.7 |
| Baucom Elementary Apex, NC | 7.7 |
| Benvenue Elementary Rocky Mount, NC | 7.7 |
| Celeste Henkel Elementary Statesville, NC | 7.7 |
| Chatham Grove Elementary Pittsboro, NC | 7.7 |
| Cloverleaf Elementary Statesville, 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 is ranked #612 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Bethel Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bethel Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bethel Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bethel Elementary has 72.3% math proficiency and 59.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Canton). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 646-3448
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Haywood County Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,566
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,458
- District Rank
- #6 of 15
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated 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.