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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55%
Math vs. State Avg-36 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.4 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,534

Blue Ridge Early College — Students at Blue Ridge Early College score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.8%
School
State
52.8%
ELA Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
53.2%

Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
29.2%
ELA
40.8%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.2/10
43th percentile in NC
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Jackson County Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,546
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,568
District Rank
#4 of 9

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 methodology

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