Average
#1951 of 2,648 schools in NC
Highlands School
School · Macon County Schools
PO Box 940, Highlands, NC 28741
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#77 of 120
In district
#9 of 12
Macon County Schools
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Highlands School
Highlands School is a K-12 regular public school nestled in the remote rural area of Highlands, North Carolina. With an enrollment of 319 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to its diverse student body. The dedicated staff includes 34 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to ensure that every child receives the support they need.
Highlands School has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks at #1739 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it around the 35th percentile for state performance. Academically, students show proficiency rates of 58% in ELA/Reading and 49% in Math across all grade levels. While there is room for improvement, the school remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages growth and development.
Located in the scenic Highlands area, Highlands School benefits from a close-knit community where students can explore nature and engage with their surroundings while receiving a well-rounded education.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Highlands School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Highlands School 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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Highlands School — Students at Highlands School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
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 18 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: 3.0/10.
How Highlands School Compares
See how Highlands School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 56.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 68% (2025).
Location
PO Box 940, Highlands, NC 28741
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Summit Charter (rated 7.0/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Cashiers), which scores notably higher. Another option is RABUN-GAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Rabun Gap), which scores notably higher. Additionally, RABUN CAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Rabun Gap), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.0 |
| Blue Ridge School Cashiers | 7.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Blue Ridge Early College Cashiers | 7.1 mi | 6.2 |
| WHETSTONE ACADEMY LLC Mountain Rest | 12.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Macon Middle School Franklin | 12.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Mountain View Intermediate Franklin | 12.3 mi | 6.0 |
| RABUN-GAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL Rabun Gap | 12.5 mi | 6.5 |
| South Macon Elementary Franklin | 12.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Bartram Academy Franklin | 12.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Macon Virtual Academy Franklin | 12.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Macon Early College High School Franklin | 13.1 mi | 6.6 |
| RABUN CAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL Rabun Gap | 13.0 mi | 6.4 |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 13.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 13.8 mi | 3.6 |
| 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 | 8.5 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee | 17.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin | 15.9 mi | 8.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands School has a median household income of $68,874. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $596,100, with a median rent of $862/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clayton, NC | 5.4 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goldsboro, NC | 5.5 |
| SCOTLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Laurinburg, NC | 5.5 |
| TRIAD BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kernersville, NC | 5.5 |
| AHOSKIE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ahoskie, NC | 5.3 |
| NEW LIFE ACADEMY Elizabeth City, NC | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #1951 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Highlands School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Highlands School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands School has 50.2% math proficiency and 59.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,693/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Highlands). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 526-2147
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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