Excellent
#328 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 12% in state
Hayesville Elementary
Elementary School · Clay County Schools
72 Elementary School Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
257
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hayesville
#2 of 4
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#296 of 1,474
In district
#2 of 4
Clay County Schools
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Hayesville Elementary
Hayesville Elementary is a public elementary school in Hayesville, NC, part of the Clay County Schools. The school serves approximately 257 students in grades 3rd – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87.7th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 59% proficiency in math, 1 points below the state average and 56% in reading/language arts, 3 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $53,785, where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Hayesville Elementary 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Hayesville Elementary — Students at Hayesville Elementary score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 7.9/10.
How Hayesville Elementary Compares
See how Hayesville Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 63.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 58.6% (2025).
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 9.2/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Murphy), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Towns County Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Hiawassee), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Union County Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Blairsville), a more accessible option. 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 | 4.9 |
| Hayesville Primary School Hayesville | 0.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Hayesville Middle Hayesville | 0.2 mi | 8.7 |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| EASTGATE LIFE ACADEMY Hiawassee | 7.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Towns County Elementary School Hiawassee | 9.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Towns County Middle School Hiawassee | 9.0 mi | 9.5 |
| Towns County High School Hiawassee | 9.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Peachtree Elementary Murphy | 8.1 mi | 9.2 |
| Andrews High Andrews | 10.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Andrews Middle Andrews | 10.6 mi | 5.9 |
| The Oaks Academy Murphy | 8.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Tri-County Early College High Murphy | 8.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Andrews Elementary Andrews | 10.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy | 11.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Murphy Middle Murphy | 12.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Union County High School Blairsville | 13.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Murphy High Murphy | 12.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Union County Elementary School Blairsville | 13.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Union County Primary School Blairsville | 13.8 mi | 6.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hayesville Elementary has a median household income of $53,785. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $266,500, with a median rent of $784/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashley Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 8.2 |
| Cameron Elementary Cameron, NC | 8.2 |
| Casar Elementary Casar, NC | 8.2 |
| Cove Creek Elementary Vilas, NC | 8.2 |
| Dilworth Elementary School Latta Campus Charlotte, NC | 8.2 |
| Fayetteville Street Elementary Durham, NC | 8.2 |
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 is ranked #328 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Hayesville Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hayesville Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Hayesville Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hayesville Elementary has 58.6% math proficiency and 55.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 389-8586
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Clay County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,301
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,228
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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
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.