Below Average
#2309 of 2,648 schools in NC
Haywood Early College
High School · Haywood County Schools
185 Freedlander Drive, Clyde, NC 28721
Enrollment
186
Student-Teacher
26.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
186
Student-Teacher
26.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – UG
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clyde
#3 of 3
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#414 of 579
In district
#15 of 15
Haywood County Schools
Academic performance
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Haywood Early College
Haywood Early College stands out as an exceptional academic institution serving 186 students in grades 9 through undergraduate level in Clyde, North Carolina. This innovative public school combines traditional high school education with college-level coursework, allowing students to earn both a high school diploma and college credits simultaneously. With a student-teacher ratio of 26.6:1 and 7 full-time equivalent teachers, the school has achieved remarkable academic success.
Students demonstrate outstanding proficiency rates of 97% in English Language Arts and an impressive 99% in mathematics across all grade levels. These exceptional results have earned Haywood Early College a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #223 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 92nd percentile statewide. The school's academic score of 9.9 out of 10 reflects its commitment to rigorous educational standards and student achievement.
This unique early college model provides students with accelerated pathways to higher education while maintaining strong foundational skills in core academic areas. Located on Freedlander Drive in rural Haywood County, the school serves a community where the median household income is $60,479 and 26% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a supportive environment that values educational advancement and opportunity.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 186 students, Haywood Early College is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Haywood Early College is 26.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Haywood Early College 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
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Haywood Early College — Students at Haywood Early College score 98% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 4.6/10.
How Haywood Early College Compares
See how Haywood Early College performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 95% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 95% (2019) to 96.7% (2025).
Location
185 Freedlander Drive, Clyde, NC 28721
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Haywood Early College may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. (rated 7.4/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pisgah High (rated 6.7/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Canton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tuscola High (rated 6.0/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clyde, see our Clyde schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscola High Waynesville | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Clyde Elementary Clyde | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Junaluska Elementary Waynesville | 2.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Bethel Elementary Canton | 3.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Shining Rock Classical Academy Waynesville | 3.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Riverbend Elementary Clyde | 4.1 mi | 7.7 |
| BLUE RIDGE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesville | 3.5 mi | — |
| Bethel Middle Waynesville | 4.1 mi | 8.6 |
| HAYWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waynesville | 3.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Central Haywood High Waynesville | 4.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Waynesville Middle Waynesville | 4.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Canton Middle Canton | 4.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Pisgah High Canton | 4.9 mi | 6.7 |
| ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville | 5.3 mi | 7.4 |
| North Canton Elementary Canton | 5.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville | 5.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary Canton | 5.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Jonathan Valley Elementary Waynesville | 5.8 mi | 7.0 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 9.5 mi | — |
| Pisgah Elementary Candler | 11.1 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28721 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,323
Median Home Value
$251,500
Median Rent
$1,069/mo
Population
10,561
College Educated
26.9%
Homeownership
75.2%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
45.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Haywood Early College has a median household income of $67,323. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,500, with a median rent of $1,069/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Andrews High Andrews, NC | 4.5 |
| Apprentice Academy High School Monroe, NC | 4.4 |
| ABSS Early College at ACC Graham, NC | 4.7 |
| AdVance Academy Henderson, NC | 4.3 |
| Charlotte Teacher Early College Charlotte, NC | 4.7 |
| Charlotte Secondary Charlotte, NC | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Haywood Early College
What grades does Haywood Early College serve?
Haywood Early College serves students in grades 9th through UG.
How many students attend Haywood Early College?
Haywood Early College has an enrollment of approximately 186 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Haywood Early College?
The student-teacher ratio at Haywood Early College is 26.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Haywood Early College rank in NC?
Haywood Early College is ranked #2309 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Haywood Early College's MySchoolScout rating?
Haywood Early College has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Haywood Early College?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Haywood Early College has 96.7% math proficiency and 93.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Haywood Early College a charter school?
No, Haywood Early College is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Haywood Early College a Title I school?
No, Haywood Early College is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Haywood Early College?
98.4% of students at Haywood Early College 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (740/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – UG
- Enrollment
- 186
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Haywood County
- Phone
- (828) 565-4000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Haywood County Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,566
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,458
- District Rank
- #15 of 15
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
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