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Average

#1290 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 49% in state

Blue Ridge Early College

High School · Jackson County Public Schools

95 Bobcat Dr, Cashiers, NC 28717

Enrollment

136

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

6.4

Grades

7th – UG

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,290 of 2,648

In Cashiers

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 9

Jackson County Public Schools

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Blue Ridge Early College

6.4/10

High School in Cashiers · grades 7th – UG. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Blue Ridge School

6.3/10

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

Summit Charter

5.5/10

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

About Blue Ridge Early College

Blue Ridge Early College is a public high school in Cashiers, NC, part of Jackson County Public Schools. Blue Ridge Early College serves approximately 136 students, and covers grades 7th-UG, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Blue Ridge Early College has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,290 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Blue Ridge Early College show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 136 students, Blue Ridge Early College is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Blue Ridge Early College 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.

35% of students at Blue Ridge Early College were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.3% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.3% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-22.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.3 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness9.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,568
Chronic Absenteeism34.6%

Blue Ridge Early College — Students at Blue Ridge Early College score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

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 36.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 43.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.2% (2025 NC)

Based on 34 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
67%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
34.5%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
31.1%
ELA
30%
2025
Math
33.6%
ELA
33.6%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Blue Ridge Early College Compares

See how Blue Ridge Early College performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in NC
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent
Sports
6
3 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.6%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics6sports offered
3 boys'·3 girls'·6 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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. Jackson Co Early College (rated 7.9/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Sylva), which scores notably higher. Another option is Macon Early College High School (rated 7.9/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Smoky Mountain High School (rated 7.0/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Sylva), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.3
Summit Charter Cashiers 2.2 mi 5.5
Highlands School Highlands 7.1 mi 6.4
Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee 11.9 mi 5.1
VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva 13.8 mi 6.2
T C Henderson Lake Toxaway 13.2 mi 5.7
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva 15.8 mi 4.5
Jackson Co Early College Sylva 16.0 mi 7.9
Smoky Mountain High School Sylva 16.2 mi 7.0
Catamount School Sylva 16.2 mi 8.7
Fairview School Sylva 16.2 mi 5.8
Macon Middle School Franklin 13.7 mi 6.8
Mountain View Intermediate Franklin 13.9 mi 6.7
East Franklin Elementary Franklin 14.8 mi 6.3
MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin 14.9 mi
Macon Early College High School Franklin 14.9 mi 7.9
Tamassee-Salem Elementary Tamassee 17.8 mi 6.9
Franklin High Franklin 15.2 mi 6.4
WHETSTONE ACADEMY LLC Mountain Rest 19.0 mi 6.5
Jackson Community School Sylva 19.2 mi 5.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Halifax County Early College High Weldon, NC 6.4
Bladen Early College Dublin, NC 6.5
MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY Candler, NC 6.5
UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory, NC 6.3
Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham, NC 6.2
Elizabeth City Pasquotank Early College Elizabeth City, NC 6.2

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 ranks #1,290 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Blue Ridge Early College's MySchoolScout rating?

Blue Ridge Early College has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Blue Ridge Early College?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Blue Ridge Early College has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.6%
4-Year Graduation
80%+

District

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

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