Average
#1343 of 2,648 schools in NC
Blue Ridge School
Elementary School · Jackson County Public Schools
95 Bobcat Drive, Cashiers, NC 28717
Enrollment
149
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
149
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,343 of 2,648
In Cashiers
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#4 of 9
Jackson County Public Schools
Equity
7.9 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Blue Ridge School?
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.
Blue Ridge School
Elementary School in Cashiers · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Blue Ridge Early College
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Summit Charter
2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Blue Ridge School
Blue Ridge School is a public elementary school in Cashiers, NC, part of Jackson County Public Schools. Blue Ridge School serves approximately 149 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Blue Ridge School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,343 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Blue Ridge School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.3 · Average
- District avg 4.9
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 149 students, Blue Ridge School 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 School 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.
34% of students at Blue Ridge School 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Blue Ridge School — Students at Blue Ridge School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 38 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.1/10.
How Blue Ridge School Compares
See how Blue Ridge School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
95 Bobcat Drive, Cashiers, NC 28717
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Blue Ridge School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tamassee-Salem Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Tamassee), which scores slightly higher. Another option is WHETSTONE ACADEMY LLC (rated 6.5/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Mountain Rest), with a very similar rating. Additionally, East Franklin Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Franklin), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cashiers, see our Cashiers schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Early College Cashiers | 0.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Summit Charter Cashiers | 2.1 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 | 13.1 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 | 16.3 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 | 18.9 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 |
|---|---|
| Black Mountain Elementary Black Mountain, NC | 6.3 |
| East Voyager Academy of Charlotte Charlotte, NC | 6.3 |
| Summit Virtual Academy Salisbury, NC | 6.3 |
| American Leadership Academy Charlotte Charlotte, NC | 6.2 |
| CROSSWAY ACADEMY Charlotte, NC | 6.2 |
| Forbush Elementary East Bend, NC | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Blue Ridge School
What grades does Blue Ridge School serve?
Blue Ridge School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Blue Ridge School?
Blue Ridge School has an enrollment of approximately 149 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Blue Ridge School?
The student-teacher ratio at Blue Ridge School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Blue Ridge School rank in NC?
Blue Ridge School ranks #1,343 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Blue Ridge School's MySchoolScout rating?
Blue Ridge School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Blue Ridge School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Blue Ridge School a charter school?
No, Blue Ridge School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Blue Ridge School a Title I school?
No, Blue Ridge School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Blue Ridge School?
98.0% of students at Blue Ridge School 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 149
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Jackson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.6%
- Phone
- (828) 743-2646
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
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.