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Average

#1611 of 2,648 schools in NC

Fairview School

Elementary School · Jackson County Public Schools

251 Big Orange Way, Sylva, NC 28779

Enrollment

781

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,611 of 2,648

In Sylva

#4 of 6

public schools

In district

#5 of 9

Jackson County Public Schools

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Fairview School

5.8/10

Elementary School in Sylva · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Catamount School

8.7/10

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

Smoky Mountain High School

7.0/10

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

About Fairview School

Fairview School is a public elementary school in Sylva, NC, part of Jackson County Public Schools. Fairview School serves approximately 781 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Fairview School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,611 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Fairview School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Fairview 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.5% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-4.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,568
Chronic Absenteeism25.7%

Fairview School — Students at Fairview School score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 54.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 42 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
89%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
43%
ELA
51%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
51%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
50%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
41%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
48%
2020*
Math
46%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
62.4%
ELA
51.2%
2025
Math
59.5%
ELA
49.8%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Fairview School Compares

See how Fairview School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
39th percentile in NC
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

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. Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blue Ridge School (rated 6.3/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Cashiers), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hazelwood Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 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 8.7
Smoky Mountain High School Sylva 0.3 mi 7.0
Jackson Co Early College Sylva 0.9 mi 7.9
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva 2.1 mi 4.5
Scotts Creek School Sylva 3.8 mi 4.0
Jackson Community School Sylva 3.8 mi 5.5
Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee 4.4 mi 5.1
VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva 8.3 mi 6.2
Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier 8.9 mi 3.5
NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee 12.0 mi 6.1
Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee 12.3 mi 8.1
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 5.7
Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville 13.2 mi 6.2
ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville 13.8 mi 7.4
Waynesville Middle Waynesville 14.3 mi 6.9
MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin 14.8 mi
Blue Ridge Early College Cashiers 16.2 mi 6.4
Blue Ridge School Cashiers 16.3 mi 6.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Albemarle Road Elementary Charlotte, NC 5.8
Banks Elementary Kinston, NC 5.8
Bethesda Elementary Durham, NC 5.8
Boone Trail Elementary Mamers, NC 5.8
Brevard Elementary Brevard, NC 5.8
Estes Elementary Asheville, NC 5.8

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 ranks #1,611 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Fairview School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fairview School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Fairview School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fairview School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.7%

District

Jackson County Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,546
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,568
District Rank
#5 of 9

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