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Below Average

#2086 of 2,648 schools in NC

Central Haywood High

High School · Haywood County Schools

62 Joy Lane, Waynesville, NC 28786

Enrollment

68

Student-Teacher

6.2:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,086 of 2,648

In Waynesville

#8 of 8

public schools

In district

#15 of 15

Haywood County Schools

School environment

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Central Haywood High

4.8/10

High School in Waynesville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Waynesville Middle

6.9/10

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

Academy at Soar, Soar Inc.

7.4/10

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

About Central Haywood High

Central Haywood High is a public high school in Waynesville, NC, part of Haywood County Schools. Central Haywood High serves approximately 68 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 6.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Haywood High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,086 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Central Haywood High show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 68 students, Central Haywood High 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.

At 6.2:1 students to teachers, Central Haywood High sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.68 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency13% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-31 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-40.6 pts
Overall Proficiency19% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-29.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness6.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate60%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,458

Central Haywood High — Students at Central Haywood High score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.5% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 29.9% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 26 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2010
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2012
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
24.5%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
25%
2025
Math
25%
ELA
13%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Central Haywood High Compares

See how Central Haywood High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
21th percentile in NC
Academic
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.6/10
Excellent
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

62 Joy Lane, Waynesville, NC 28786

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Haywood High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pisgah High (rated 8.1/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Canton), which scores notably higher. Another option is ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tuscola High (rated 7.1/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waynesville, see our Waynesville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Waynesville Middle Waynesville 0.3 mi 6.9
ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville 0.7 mi 7.4
Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville 1.3 mi 6.2
Shining Rock Classical Academy Waynesville 2.5 mi 5.8
Junaluska Elementary Waynesville 2.3 mi 7.8
BLUE RIDGE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesville 2.6 mi
HAYWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waynesville 2.7 mi 7.0
Tuscola High Waynesville 3.5 mi 7.1
Jonathan Valley Elementary Waynesville 3.8 mi 5.6
Haywood Early College Clyde 4.6 mi 7.1
Bethel Middle Waynesville 5.6 mi 8.9
Bethel Elementary Canton 5.9 mi 7.7
ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley 6.3 mi
Clyde Elementary Clyde 6.4 mi 5.4
Riverbend Elementary Clyde 7.3 mi 9.0
Pisgah High Canton 8.9 mi 8.1
Canton Middle Canton 8.9 mi 6.1
Meadowbrook Elementary Canton 9.6 mi 5.7
North Canton Elementary Canton 9.9 mi 8.3
Jackson Community School Sylva 11.2 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28786 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,047

Median Home Value

$266,800

Median Rent

$1,084/mo

Population

22,153

College Educated

31.8%

Homeownership

70%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Age

49.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
The COAST Bolivia, NC 4.7
C Joyner Greene Education Center Jamestown, NC 4.9
The Community Learning Center @ Pinckney Carthage, NC 4.9
CHAMPION EDUCATIONAL CENTER Beulaville, NC 4.6
TRINITY CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Charlotte, NC 5.0
Meadowbrook Academy King, NC 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Haywood High

What grades does Central Haywood High serve?

Central Haywood High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Central Haywood High?

Central Haywood High has an enrollment of approximately 68 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Haywood High?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Haywood High is 6.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Haywood High rank in NC?

Central Haywood High ranks #2,086 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Central Haywood High's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Haywood High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Central Haywood High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Haywood High has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

Is Central Haywood High a charter school?

No, Central Haywood High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Haywood High a Title I school?

No, Central Haywood High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Haywood High?

94.1% of students at Central Haywood High 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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
68
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.1%
Type
alternative
Setting
Distant Town
County
Haywood County
4-Year Graduation
60.0%

District

Haywood County Schools
District Enrollment
6,566
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,458
District Rank
#15 of 15

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