Average
#1300 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 49% in state
Highlands School
School · Macon County Schools
PO Box 940, Highlands, NC 28741
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,300 of 2,648
In district
#9 of 12
Macon County Schools
School environment
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Highlands School
School in Highlands · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Summit Charter
6.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Blue Ridge School
7.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highlands School
Highlands School is a public school in Highlands, NC, part of Macon County Schools. Highlands School serves approximately 319 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Highlands School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,300 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Highlands School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.4 · Average
- District avg 6.3
- NC avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 9.4:1 students to teachers, Highlands School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Highlands School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Highlands School — Students at Highlands School score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 42 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.1/10.
How Highlands School Compares
See how Highlands School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 940, Highlands, NC 28741
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands School may also want to explore other schools in the area. RABUN-GAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Rabun Gap), with a very similar rating. Another option is RABUN CAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Rabun Gap), with a very similar rating. Additionally, VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Sylva), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Highlands, see our Highlands schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Summit Charter Cashiers | 6.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Blue Ridge School Cashiers | 7.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Blue Ridge Early College Cashiers | 7.1 mi | 6.4 |
| WHETSTONE ACADEMY LLC Mountain Rest | 12.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Macon Middle School Franklin | 12.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Mountain View Intermediate Franklin | 12.3 mi | 6.7 |
| RABUN-GAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL Rabun Gap | 12.5 mi | 6.5 |
| South Macon Elementary Franklin | 12.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Bartram Academy Franklin | 12.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Macon Virtual Academy Franklin | 12.4 mi | 2.4 |
| Macon Early College High School Franklin | 13.1 mi | 7.9 |
| RABUN CAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL Rabun Gap | 13.0 mi | 6.4 |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 13.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 13.8 mi | 6.4 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 14.2 mi | — |
| TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Franklin | 14.3 mi | 7.0 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 16.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Tamassee-Salem Elementary Tamassee | 15.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee | 17.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin | 15.9 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28741 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,874
Median Home Value
$596,100
Median Rent
$862/mo
Population
4,266
College Educated
48.4%
Homeownership
73.1%
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
61.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CRAMERTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cramerton, NC | 6.4 |
| MILLERS CREEK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Millers Creek, NC | 6.4 |
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lumberton, NC | 6.5 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fayetteville, NC | 6.5 |
| LWCS Jacksonville, NC | 6.3 |
| CHRIST THE CORNERSTONE ACADEMY Laurinburg, NC | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands School
What grades does Highlands School serve?
Highlands School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Highlands School?
Highlands School has an enrollment of approximately 319 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands School is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highlands School rank in NC?
Highlands School ranks #1,300 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Highlands School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Highlands School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highlands School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Highlands School a charter school?
No, Highlands School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highlands School a Title I school?
No, Highlands School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands School?
43.6% of students at Highlands School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 319
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Macon County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.4%
- Phone
- (828) 526-2147
- 4-Year Graduation
- 84.5%
Resources & Links
District
Macon County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,460
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,238
- District Rank
- #9 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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