Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#2555 of 2,648 schools in NC

Franklin High

High School · Macon County Schools

100 Panther Drive, Franklin, NC 28734

Enrollment

1,036

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

3.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Franklin

#9 of 10

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#539 of 579

In district

#11 of 12

Macon County Schools

About Franklin High

Franklin High serves 1,036 students in grades 9-12 in the remote mountain town of Franklin, North Carolina. With 59 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, providing reasonably personalized attention for its large student body. Academically, Franklin High earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #907 out of 2,661 North Carolina high schools, placing it in the 66th percentile statewide.

The school shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 61% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents more of a challenge, with 49% of students reaching proficiency, indicating room for continued growth in this subject area. The school serves a diverse economic community in the 28734 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $48,428 and 21% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

With a 16.4% poverty rate, Franklin High works with families across various socioeconomic backgrounds to support student success. As a regular public high school, Franklin High provides comprehensive education to students in this scenic mountain region of western North Carolina. The school's location in remote Franklin offers students a close-knit community atmosphere while preparing them for post-secondary opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.6%
Math vs. State Avg-29.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-14.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness3.1Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,154

Franklin High — Students at Franklin High score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.1%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 56.9%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
60%
2025
Math
26.4%
ELA
60.6%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Franklin High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
4th percentile in NC
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers

Location

100 Panther Drive, Franklin, NC 28734

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Franklin High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Macon Early College High School (rated 6.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jackson Co Early College (rated 6.0/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Sylva), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bartram Academy (rated 3.5/10, 4.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Franklin, see our Franklin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Macon Early College High School Franklin 1.1 mi 6.6
East Franklin Elementary Franklin 1.1 mi 8.1
TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Franklin 1.0 mi 7.0
MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin 1.5 mi
Mountain View Intermediate Franklin 1.5 mi 6.0
Macon Middle School Franklin 1.6 mi 5.8
Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin 3.2 mi 8.9
Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin 4.0 mi 8.3
Bartram Academy Franklin 4.3 mi 3.5
Macon Virtual Academy Franklin 4.3 mi 4.9
South Macon Elementary Franklin 4.5 mi 6.8
VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva 8.0 mi 6.2
RABUN CAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL Rabun Gap 14.0 mi 6.4
RABUN-GAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL Rabun Gap 14.9 mi 6.5
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva 14.3 mi 4.5
Highlands School Highlands 13.8 mi 5.4
Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee 13.9 mi 5.8
Swain County West Elementary Bryson City 15.8 mi 6.0
Jackson Co Early College Sylva 15.4 mi 6.0
Mountain Discovery Bryson City 16.9 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28734 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,221

Median Home Value

$203,700

Median Rent

$779/mo

Population

29,158

College Educated

20.9%

Homeownership

76.6%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

48.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Franklin High has a median household income of $50,221. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,700, with a median rent of $779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Carver High Winston-Salem, NC 3.6
Monroe High Monroe, NC 3.6
Person High Roxboro, NC 3.6
South Lenoir High Deep Run, NC 3.6
Surry Central High Dobson, NC 3.6
West Bladen High Bladenboro, NC 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Franklin High

What grades does Franklin High serve?

Franklin High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Franklin High?

Franklin High has an enrollment of approximately 1,036 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Franklin High?

The student-teacher ratio at Franklin High is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Franklin High rank in NC?

Franklin High is ranked #2555 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Franklin High's MySchoolScout rating?

Franklin High has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Franklin High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Franklin High has 50.1% math proficiency and 56.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Franklin High a charter school?

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

Is Franklin High a Title I school?

No, Franklin High is not currently a Title I school.

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

54.4% of students at Franklin 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
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,176/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Franklin). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,036
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
59
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Macon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Macon County Schools
District Enrollment
4,460
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,238
District Rank
#11 of 12

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.