Excellent
#294 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 11% in state
Iotla Valley Elementary
Elementary School · Macon County Schools
1166 Iotla Church Road, Franklin, NC 28734
Enrollment
417
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
417
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Franklin
#2 of 10
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#266 of 1,474
In district
#2 of 12
Macon County Schools
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Iotla Valley Elementary
Iotla Valley Elementary is a public elementary school in Franklin, NC, part of the Macon County Schools. The school serves approximately 417 students in grades Pre-K – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 88.9th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 44% proficiency in math, 15 points below the state average and 45% in reading/language arts, 7 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $50,221, where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Iotla Valley Elementary 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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Iotla Valley Elementary — Students at Iotla Valley Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 8.7/10.
How Iotla Valley Elementary Compares
See how Iotla Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 54.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 47.8% (2025).
Location
1166 Iotla Church Road, Franklin, NC 28734
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Iotla Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cartoogechaye Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is East Franklin Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.0/10, 4.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Franklin, see our Franklin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 3.4 mi | — |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 3.6 mi | 8.1 |
| TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Franklin | 4.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 4.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin | 4.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Macon Early College High School Franklin | 5.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Mountain View Intermediate Franklin | 5.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Macon Middle School Franklin | 5.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Bartram Academy Franklin | 7.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Macon Virtual Academy Franklin | 7.7 mi | 4.9 |
| South Macon Elementary Franklin | 7.9 mi | 6.8 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 7.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 11.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 13.1 mi | 4.9 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryson City | 13.4 mi | — |
| Swain County Middle School Bryson City | 13.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Cherokee Extension School Bryson City | 13.8 mi | — |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 13.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Nantahala School Topton | 12.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 14.8 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28734 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,221
Median Home Value
$203,700
Median Rent
$779/mo
Population
29,158
College Educated
20.9%
Homeownership
76.6%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
48.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Iotla Valley Elementary has a median household income of $50,221. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,700, with a median rent of $779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Banks Elementary Kinston, NC | 8.3 |
| Banoak Elementary Vale, NC | 8.3 |
| Bethesda Elementary Durham, NC | 8.3 |
| Cary Elementary Cary, NC | 8.3 |
| Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont, NC | 8.3 |
| Ceasar Cone Elementary Greensboro, NC | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Iotla Valley Elementary
What grades does Iotla Valley Elementary serve?
Iotla Valley Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Iotla Valley Elementary?
Iotla Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 417 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Iotla Valley Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Iotla Valley Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Iotla Valley Elementary rank in NC?
Iotla Valley Elementary is ranked #294 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Iotla Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Iotla Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Iotla Valley Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Iotla Valley Elementary has 44.4% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Iotla Valley Elementary a charter school?
No, Iotla Valley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Iotla Valley Elementary a Title I school?
No, Iotla Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Iotla Valley Elementary?
99.3% of students at Iotla Valley 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 (Franklin). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 417
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Macon County
- Phone
- (828) 524-2938
- 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
- #2 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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