Average
#1729 of 2,648 schools in NC
Cullowhee Valley School
Elementary School · Jackson County Public Schools
240 Wisdom Drive, Cullowhee, NC 28723
Enrollment
609
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
609
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,173 of 1,474
In district
#6 of 9
Jackson County Public Schools
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Cullowhee Valley School
Cullowhee Valley School is a public elementary school located in the heart of Cullowhee, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 609 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 41 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a small town setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where students can thrive.
Cullowhee Valley School’s academic performance reflects areas for continued growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1943 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina (placing it in the 27th percentile). The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 41%, while its Math proficiency stands at 42% across all grade levels. These scores indicate that Cullowhee Valley School places a strong emphasis on student development and support.
Cullowhee, with its small-town charm, provides a welcoming environment for students to grow both academically and socially.
Score Breakdown
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Cullowhee Valley School — Students at Cullowhee Valley School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 5.2/10.
How Cullowhee Valley School Compares
See how Cullowhee Valley School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 44.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 41.4% (2025).
Location
240 Wisdom Drive, Cullowhee, NC 28723
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cullowhee Valley School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Blue Ridge School (rated 8.4/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Cashiers), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Franklin Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cullowhee, see our Cullowhee schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 4.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 4.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 4.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 4.4 mi | 6.9 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 4.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 7.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 8.0 mi | 6.2 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 6.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Blue Ridge Early College Cashiers | 11.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Blue Ridge School Cashiers | 11.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 12.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Summit Charter Cashiers | 14.0 mi | 7.0 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 12.6 mi | — |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 12.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Macon Middle School Franklin | 13.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Mountain View Intermediate Franklin | 13.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 13.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Macon Early College High School Franklin | 14.6 mi | 6.6 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 16.4 mi | — |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 14.0 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28723 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$43,539
Median Home Value
$308,800
Median Rent
$842/mo
Population
11,427
College Educated
31.5%
Homeownership
35.6%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
30.5%
Median Age
22.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cullowhee Valley School has a median household income of $43,539. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $308,800, with a median rent of $842/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arthur W Edwards Elementary Havelock, NC | 5.8 |
| Cardinal Charter Academy Cary, NC | 5.8 |
| Childers Elementary Lincolnton, NC | 5.8 |
| Crosscreek Charter School Louisburg, NC | 5.8 |
| Dillard Drive Elementary Raleigh, NC | 5.8 |
| Dunn Elementary Dunn, NC | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cullowhee Valley School
What grades does Cullowhee Valley School serve?
Cullowhee Valley School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Cullowhee Valley School?
Cullowhee Valley School has an enrollment of approximately 609 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cullowhee Valley School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cullowhee Valley School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cullowhee Valley School rank in NC?
Cullowhee Valley School is ranked #1729 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cullowhee Valley School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cullowhee Valley School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Cullowhee Valley School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cullowhee Valley School has 42.2% math proficiency and 40.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cullowhee Valley School a charter school?
No, Cullowhee Valley School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cullowhee Valley School a Title I school?
No, Cullowhee Valley School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cullowhee Valley School?
99.5% of students at Cullowhee Valley 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,346/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 609
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Jackson County
- Phone
- (828) 293-5667
- 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
- #6 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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