Average
#1092 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 41% in state
Fairview School
Elementary School · Jackson County Public Schools
251 Big Orange Way, Sylva, NC 28779
Enrollment
781
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
781
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sylva
#2 of 6
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#855 of 1,474
In district
#2 of 9
Jackson County Public Schools
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Fairview School
Fairview School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Sylva, North Carolina, a rural area near town in Jackson County. The school enrolls 781 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 with 51 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Fairview is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.
Currently, about half of students are proficient or above in English language arts and reading, while math proficiency sits at 56% proficient or above across grade levels. The school's academic score of 5.6 out of 10 reflects room for growth, with the school ranking at the 46th percentile among North Carolina public schools. These performance levels suggest Fairview is focused on building foundational skills and supporting students toward greater academic achievement.
As a regular public school, Fairview serves as an important educational hub for its rural community, bringing together elementary and middle grade students in one setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Fairview School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Fairview School — Students at Fairview School score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.8%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.9/10.
How Fairview School Compares
See how Fairview School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 59.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 48% (2019) to 49.6% (2025).
Location
251 Big Orange Way, Sylva, NC 28779
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fairview School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Blue Ridge School (rated 8.4/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Cashiers), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hazelwood Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sylva, see our Sylva schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Catamount School Sylva | 0.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 0.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 3.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 3.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee | 4.4 mi | 5.8 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 8.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 8.9 mi | 4.9 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 12.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 12.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 12.3 mi | — |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 12.6 mi | — |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 12.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville | 13.2 mi | 7.9 |
| ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville | 13.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Waynesville Middle Waynesville | 14.3 mi | 6.4 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 14.8 mi | — |
| Blue Ridge Early College Cashiers | 16.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Blue Ridge School Cashiers | 16.3 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28779 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,407
Median Home Value
$234,200
Median Rent
$803/mo
Population
17,845
College Educated
28.2%
Homeownership
66.6%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fairview School has a median household income of $54,407. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,200, with a median rent of $803/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Avery's Creek Elementary Arden, NC | 6.9 |
| Brentwood Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 6.9 |
| Harris Creek Elementary Raleigh, NC | 6.9 |
| Heritage Elementary Wake Forest, NC | 6.9 |
| Highcroft Elementary Cary, NC | 6.9 |
| Idlewild Elementary Charlotte, NC | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fairview School
What grades does Fairview School serve?
Fairview School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Fairview School?
Fairview School has an enrollment of approximately 781 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fairview School?
The student-teacher ratio at Fairview School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fairview School rank in NC?
Fairview School is ranked #1092 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Fairview School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fairview School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Fairview School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairview School has 55.7% math proficiency and 49.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fairview School a charter school?
No, Fairview School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fairview School a Title I school?
No, Fairview School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fairview School?
55.8% of students at Fairview 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
- City Safety
- High (4,820/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sylva). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 781
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Jackson County
- Phone
- (828) 586-2819
- 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
- #2 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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