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Excellent

#280 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 11% in state

Hayesville Elementary

Elementary School · Clay County Schools

72 Elementary School Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904

Enrollment

257

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

8.3

Grades

3rd – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#280 of 2,648

In Hayesville

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Clay County Schools

School environment

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Hayesville Elementary

8.3/10

Elementary School in Hayesville · grades 3rd – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hayesville High

6.6/10

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

Hayesville Primary School

6.9/10

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

About Hayesville Elementary

Hayesville Elementary is a public elementary school in Hayesville, NC, part of Clay County Schools. Hayesville Elementary serves approximately 257 students, and covers grades 3rd-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Hayesville Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #280 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Hayesville Elementary show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.6
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Hayesville Elementary 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.

30% of students at Hayesville Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.74 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+0.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12 pts
Overall Proficiency61% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,228
Chronic Absenteeism30.4%

Hayesville Elementary — Students at Hayesville Elementary score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 53.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
75%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
45%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
43%
ELA
49%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
54%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
50%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
64.1%
ELA
55.3%
2025
Math
63.6%
ELA
59.7%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Hayesville Elementary Compares

See how Hayesville Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
90th percentile in NC
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
8.7/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.4%

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

72 Elementary School Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hayesville Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Peachtree Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Murphy), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Towns County Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Hiawassee), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Union County Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Blairsville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hayesville, see our Hayesville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Hayesville High Hayesville 0.1 mi 6.6
Hayesville Primary School Hayesville 0.1 mi 6.9
Hayesville Middle Hayesville 0.2 mi 7.3
CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville 0.6 mi 5.9
EASTGATE LIFE ACADEMY Hiawassee 7.6 mi 6.3
Towns County Elementary School Hiawassee 9.0 mi 8.2
Towns County Middle School Hiawassee 9.0 mi 8.8
Towns County High School Hiawassee 9.0 mi 8.8
Peachtree Elementary Murphy 8.1 mi 9.0
Andrews High Andrews 10.6 mi 6.4
Andrews Middle Andrews 10.6 mi 6.0
The Oaks Academy Murphy 8.8 mi 6.0
Tri-County Early College High Murphy 8.8 mi 7.8
Andrews Elementary Andrews 10.8 mi 5.3
Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy 11.6 mi 4.8
Murphy Middle Murphy 12.0 mi 5.7
Union County High School Blairsville 13.5 mi 7.2
Murphy High Murphy 12.1 mi 5.6
Union County Elementary School Blairsville 13.8 mi 7.4
Union County Primary School Blairsville 13.8 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28904 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,785

Median Home Value

$266,500

Median Rent

$784/mo

Population

10,614

College Educated

31%

Homeownership

78.6%

Avg Commute

23.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Median Age

53.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bethel Hill Charter Roxboro, NC 8.3
Cliffside Elementary School Cliffside, NC 8.3
Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park, NC 8.3
North Canton Elementary Canton, NC 8.3
Oakwood Elementary Hickory, NC 8.3
Partnership Elementary Raleigh, NC 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hayesville Elementary

What grades does Hayesville Elementary serve?

Hayesville Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Hayesville Elementary?

Hayesville Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 257 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hayesville Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Hayesville Elementary is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hayesville Elementary rank in NC?

Hayesville Elementary ranks #280 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Hayesville Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hayesville Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Hayesville Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hayesville Elementary has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hayesville Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Hayesville Elementary a Title I school?

No, Hayesville Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hayesville Elementary?

70.4% of students at Hayesville Elementary 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
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Clay County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.4%

District

Clay County Schools
District Enrollment
1,301
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,228
District Rank
#1 of 4

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