Below Average
#377 of 404 private schools in NC
Heritage Christian Academy
Elementary School
1955 WEBSTER RD, Sylva, NC 28779
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NC statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
77
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Enrollment
77
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Sylva
#2 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#114 of 124
About Heritage Christian Academy
Heritage Christian Academy serves 77 students from kindergarten through seventh grade in Sylva, North Carolina. This small elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with just 7 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an excellent 11:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranking #122 out of 404 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 70th percentile among North Carolina schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence despite its modest size. Located at 1955 Webster Road, Heritage Christian Academy operates as a regular public school serving families in the Jackson County area. The surrounding 28779 ZIP code is home to 18,421 residents, with a median household income of $53,470 and median home values of $224,600.
About 29% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16.3% of families live below the poverty line. The school sits in a rural setting near the town of Sylva, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere where educators can focus on individual student growth and development in a peaceful, small-town environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 77 students, Heritage Christian Academy 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.
As a private school, Heritage Christian Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Located in a rural area, Heritage Christian Academy 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.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $8,508
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $9,637
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.13x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 56%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $1.2M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 77 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Heritage Christian Academy compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in Sylva, NC
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Heritage Christian Academy (this school) | 4.5 |
| Jackson Co Early College | 6.0 |
| Catamount School | 9.1 |
| Fairview School | 6.9 |
| Scotts Creek School | 6.2 |
| Jackson Community School | 5.3 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NC.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in NC
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1955 WEBSTER RD, Sylva, NC 28779
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Heritage Christian Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Franklin Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sylva, see our Sylva schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 1.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee | 4.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 5.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 5.7 mi | 5.3 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 6.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 8.3 mi | 4.9 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 12.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 12.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 12.6 mi | — |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 12.0 mi | 4.6 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 12.8 mi | — |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 13.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 13.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Macon Middle School Franklin | 14.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Mountain View Intermediate Franklin | 14.4 mi | 6.0 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 14.5 mi | — |
| Franklin High Franklin | 14.3 mi | 3.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28779 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,407
Median Home Value
$234,200
Median Rent
$803/mo
Population
17,845
College Educated
28.2%
Homeownership
66.6%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Heritage Christian Academy has a median household income of $54,407. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,200, with a median rent of $803/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| FRIENDSHIP DAY SCHOOL FOR THE SCIENCES & THE ARTS Charlotte, NC | 4.5 |
| HOLY YOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chapel Hill, NC | 4.6 |
| MONTESSORI AT SANDY FORD Newton, NC | 4.2 |
| A SEA OF LEARNING Morehead City, NC | 4.1 |
| SALEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dobson, NC | 4.9 |
| SOUTHPOINT ACADEMY Durham, NC | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Heritage Christian Academy
What grades does Heritage Christian Academy serve?
Heritage Christian Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 7th.
How many students attend Heritage Christian Academy?
Heritage Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 77 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Heritage Christian Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Heritage Christian Academy is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Heritage Christian Academy rank in NC?
Heritage Christian Academy is ranked #377 out of 404 private schools in NC.
What is Heritage Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Heritage Christian Academy 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.
Is Heritage Christian Academy a private school?
Yes, Heritage Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Heritage Christian Academy a religious school?
Heritage Christian Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,820/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sylva). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 7th
- Enrollment
- 77
- Gender Split
- 45% M / 55% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 6.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- JACKSON
- Phone
- (828) 631-3835
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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