Average
#1505 of 2,648 schools in NC
Blue Ridge Early College
High School · Jackson County Public Schools
95 Bobcat Dr, Cashiers, NC 28717
Enrollment
136
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
6.2
Grades
7th – UG
Enrollment
136
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
6.2
Grades
7th – UG
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cashiers
#3 of 3
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#164 of 579
In district
#4 of 9
Jackson County Public Schools
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Blue Ridge Early College
Blue Ridge Early College is a unique educational institution located in the remote rural area of Cashiers, North Carolina. Serving students from seventh grade through undergraduate level, this school offers a blend of high school and college coursework, providing early college opportunities to its 136 enrolled students. With a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1, Blue Ridge Early College ensures that each student receives individualized attention from the twelve full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
The academic performance at Blue Ridge Early College is currently at the lower end in comparison to other schools in North Carolina, with state rankings placing it around the 12th percentile and a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10. In terms of proficiency rates, 36% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 34% achieve similar marks in Math. Despite these numbers, the school is dedicated to fostering student development and providing valuable educational experiences.
Blue Ridge Early College is situated in a quiet, rural setting where the community values education and supports its local schools. This environment offers a unique backdrop for students to explore academic pursuits with personalized guidance from their teachers.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 136 students, Blue Ridge Early College is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Blue Ridge Early College 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
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Blue Ridge Early College — Students at Blue Ridge Early College score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 3.3/10.
How Blue Ridge Early College Compares
See how Blue Ridge Early College performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 20% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 55% (2025).
Location
95 Bobcat Dr, Cashiers, NC 28717
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Blue Ridge Early College may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Macon Early College High School (rated 6.6/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Jackson Co Early College (rated 6.0/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Sylva), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Jackson Community School (rated 5.3/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Sylva), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cashiers, see our Cashiers schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge School Cashiers | 0.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Summit Charter Cashiers | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Highlands School Highlands | 7.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee | 11.9 mi | 5.8 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 13.8 mi | 6.2 |
| T C Henderson Lake Toxaway | 13.2 mi | 8.1 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 15.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 16.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 16.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 16.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 16.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Macon Middle School Franklin | 13.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Mountain View Intermediate Franklin | 13.9 mi | 6.0 |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 14.8 mi | 8.1 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 14.9 mi | — |
| Macon Early College High School Franklin | 14.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Tamassee-Salem Elementary Tamassee | 17.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 15.2 mi | 3.6 |
| WHETSTONE ACADEMY LLC Mountain Rest | 19.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 19.2 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28717 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,065
Median Home Value
$410,200
Median Rent
$1,323/mo
Population
1,511
College Educated
39.1%
Homeownership
85.7%
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
58.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Blue Ridge Early College has a median household income of $73,065. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $410,200, with a median rent of $1,323/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alger B. Wilkins High School Fayetteville, NC | 6.2 |
| Tri-County Early College High Murphy, NC | 6.2 |
| Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy Lexington, NC | 6.2 |
| Franklin County Early College Louisburg, NC | 6.3 |
| Harper Middle College High Charlotte, NC | 6.3 |
| UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory, NC | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Blue Ridge Early College
What grades does Blue Ridge Early College serve?
Blue Ridge Early College serves students in grades 7th through UG.
How many students attend Blue Ridge Early College?
Blue Ridge Early College has an enrollment of approximately 136 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Blue Ridge Early College?
The student-teacher ratio at Blue Ridge Early College is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Blue Ridge Early College rank in NC?
Blue Ridge Early College is ranked #1505 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Blue Ridge Early College's MySchoolScout rating?
Blue Ridge Early College has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Blue Ridge Early College?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Blue Ridge Early College has 31.8% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Blue Ridge Early College a charter school?
No, Blue Ridge Early College is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Blue Ridge Early College a Title I school?
No, Blue Ridge Early College is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Blue Ridge Early College?
97.8% of students at Blue Ridge Early College 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,346/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – UG
- Enrollment
- 136
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Jackson County
- Phone
- (828) 743-2646
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Jackson County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,546
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,568
- District Rank
- #4 of 9
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
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