Average
#1957 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
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
609
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,957 of 2,648
In district
#7 of 9
Jackson County Public Schools
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Cullowhee Valley School
Elementary School in Cullowhee · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Jackson Co Early College
4.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Smoky Mountain High School
4.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cullowhee Valley School
Cullowhee Valley School is a public elementary school in Cullowhee, NC, part of Jackson County Public Schools. Cullowhee Valley School serves approximately 609 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Cullowhee Valley School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,957 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Cullowhee Valley School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.1 · Average
- District avg 4.9
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Cullowhee Valley 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
Cullowhee Valley School — Students at Cullowhee Valley School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 42 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: 4.5/10.
How Cullowhee Valley School Compares
See how Cullowhee Valley 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
240 Wisdom Drive, Cullowhee, NC 28723
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cullowhee Valley School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blue Ridge School (rated 6.3/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Cashiers), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Franklin Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 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 | 7.9 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 4.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 4.4 mi | 5.8 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 4.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 7.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 8.0 mi | 4.0 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 6.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Blue Ridge Early College Cashiers | 11.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Blue Ridge School Cashiers | 11.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 12.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Summit Charter Cashiers | 14.0 mi | 5.5 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 12.6 mi | — |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 12.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Macon Middle School Franklin | 13.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Mountain View Intermediate Franklin | 13.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 13.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Macon Early College High School Franklin | 14.6 mi | 7.9 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 16.4 mi | — |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 14.0 mi | 7.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Cary, NC | 5.1 |
| Edneyville Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 5.1 |
| Glenwood Elementary School Marion, NC | 5.1 |
| Griffith Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 5.1 |
| Highland Elementary Burlington, NC | 5.1 |
| J. H. Gunn Elementary Charlotte, NC | 5.1 |
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 ranks #1,957 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cullowhee Valley School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cullowhee Valley School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Cullowhee Valley School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cullowhee Valley School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.0%
- Phone
- (828) 293-5667
Resources & Links
District
Jackson County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,546
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,568
- District Rank
- #7 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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