Very Good
#495 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 19% in state
Hazelwood Elementary
Elementary School · Haywood County Schools
1111 Plott Creek Road, Waynesville, NC 28786
Enrollment
495
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
495
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waynesville
#3 of 8
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#440 of 1,474
In district
#4 of 15
Haywood County Schools
Equity
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Hazelwood Elementary
Hazelwood Elementary is a regular public school in Waynesville, North Carolina, nestled in the heart of Haywood County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Hazelwood offers an inclusive learning environment with an enrollment of 495 students and a supportive student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 32 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to foster academic growth and personal development.
According to MySchoolScout's rating system, Hazelwood Elementary receives a score of 6.6 out of 10, placing it in the 68th percentile among North Carolina schools with a state ranking of #861 out of 2661. In terms of academic performance, students demonstrate proficiency rates of 51% in ELA/reading and 61% in math across all grades. These scores indicate areas where Hazelwood can continue to focus on enhancing student outcomes.
Situated in a charming town setting, Hazelwood Elementary provides its community with a nurturing educational environment that encourages learning and growth for every child.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Hazelwood Elementary — Students at Hazelwood Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
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: 8.3/10.
How Hazelwood Elementary Compares
See how Hazelwood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 40% (2019) to 67.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 52.4% (2025).
Location
1111 Plott Creek Road, Waynesville, NC 28786
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hazelwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Junaluska Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Riverbend Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Clyde), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bethel Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Canton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Waynesville, see our Waynesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Waynesville Middle Waynesville | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Central Haywood High Waynesville | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| HAYWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waynesville | 3.4 mi | 7.0 |
| BLUE RIDGE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesville | 3.4 mi | — |
| Shining Rock Classical Academy Waynesville | 3.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Jonathan Valley Elementary Waynesville | 3.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Junaluska Elementary Waynesville | 3.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Tuscola High Waynesville | 4.7 mi | 6.0 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 5.4 mi | — |
| Haywood Early College Clyde | 5.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Bethel Middle Waynesville | 6.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Riverbend Elementary Clyde | 8.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Bethel Elementary Canton | 7.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Clyde Elementary Clyde | 7.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 9.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 10.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Pisgah High Canton | 10.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Canton Middle Canton | 10.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary Canton | 10.8 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28786 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,047
Median Home Value
$266,800
Median Rent
$1,084/mo
Population
22,153
College Educated
31.8%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Median Age
49.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hazelwood Elementary has a median household income of $56,047. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $266,800, with a median rent of $1,084/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Beaverdam Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
| Brooks Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
| Carrboro Elementary Carrboro, NC | 7.9 |
| Claremont Elementary Claremont, NC | 7.9 |
| Clear Creek Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 7.9 |
| Douglas Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hazelwood Elementary
What grades does Hazelwood Elementary serve?
Hazelwood Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Hazelwood Elementary?
Hazelwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 495 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hazelwood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Hazelwood Elementary is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hazelwood Elementary rank in NC?
Hazelwood Elementary is ranked #495 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Hazelwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hazelwood Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Hazelwood Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hazelwood Elementary has 61.0% math proficiency and 50.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hazelwood Elementary a charter school?
No, Hazelwood Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hazelwood Elementary a Title I school?
No, Hazelwood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hazelwood Elementary?
99.4% of students at Hazelwood 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. City-level (Waynesville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 495
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Haywood County
- Phone
- (828) 456-2406
- 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
- #4 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
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.