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Excellent

#145 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 5% in state

Hayesville Middle

Middle School · Clay County Schools

135 School Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904

Enrollment

283

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

8.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hayesville

#1 of 4

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#5 of 475

In district

#1 of 4

Clay County Schools

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Hayesville Middle

Hayesville Middle is a public middle school in Hayesville, NC, part of the Clay County Schools. The school serves approximately 283 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94.6th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 54% proficiency in math, 0 points above the state average and 54% in reading/language arts, 1 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). 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's said publicly about Hayesville Middle

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Hayesville Middle School is part of the Clay County Schools district 1 . The school's mission is to educate students and help them realize their potential as responsible, productive members of society by providing an environment where students are challenged, excellence is expected, and differences are valued 1 . Academically, the school offers honors courses in math and reading for all grade levels 1 . Students can select electives from the arts and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs 1 . The school utilizes a team-based teaching approach across all grade levels 1 . To support student success, a full-time counselor and academic supports are available for all students 1 . Additionally, the school holds student-centered transition meetings for incoming students to facilitate easy transitions 1 . In terms of extracurricular activities, there are nine sports teams available throughout the year 1 . The school also maintains a presence on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.hayesvillems.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Hayesville Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.1%
Math vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,506

Hayesville Middle — Students at Hayesville Middle score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.2%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 54.1%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
38%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
48%
2025
Math
61.7%
ELA
60.1%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Hayesville Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
8.7/10
95th percentile in NC
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

135 School Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hayesville Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Towns County Middle School (rated 9.5/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Hiawassee), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Murphy Middle (rated 6.3/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Murphy), a more accessible option. Additionally, Andrews Middle (rated 5.9/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Andrews), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hayesville, see our Hayesville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Hayesville High Hayesville 0.1 mi 4.9
Hayesville Elementary Hayesville 0.2 mi 8.2
Hayesville Primary School Hayesville 0.3 mi 6.8
CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville 0.7 mi 5.9
EASTGATE LIFE ACADEMY Hiawassee 7.6 mi 6.4
Peachtree Elementary Murphy 8.1 mi 9.2
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
The Oaks Academy Murphy 8.7 mi 5.4
Tri-County Early College High Murphy 8.7 mi 6.2
Andrews High Andrews 10.7 mi 4.5
Andrews Middle Andrews 10.7 mi 5.9
Andrews Elementary Andrews 10.9 mi 4.3
Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy 11.5 mi 6.1
Union County High School Blairsville 13.3 mi 5.8
Murphy Middle Murphy 11.9 mi 6.3
Murphy High Murphy 12.0 mi 6.6
Union County Elementary School Blairsville 13.6 mi 7.0
Union County Primary School Blairsville 13.7 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 Middle 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
Bethel Middle Waynesville, NC 8.6
Piney Grove Middle School Lawsonville, NC 8.6
The Innovation Academy at South Campus Smithfield, NC 8.6
Foothills Community School Marion, NC 8.2
Lakewood Montessori Middle Durham, NC 9.2
Perquimans County Middle Winfall, NC 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hayesville Middle

What grades does Hayesville Middle serve?

Hayesville Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Hayesville Middle?

Hayesville Middle has an enrollment of approximately 283 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hayesville Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Hayesville Middle is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hayesville Middle rank in NC?

Hayesville Middle is ranked #145 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Hayesville Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Hayesville Middle has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hayesville Middle has 54.2% math proficiency and 54.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hayesville Middle a charter school?

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

Is Hayesville Middle a Title I school?

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

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

67.5% of students at Hayesville Middle 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,449/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
283
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Clay County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

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