Skip to main content

Average

#1603 of 2,648 schools in NC

Jackson Co Early College

High School · Jackson County Public Schools

404 College Drive, Sylva, NC 28779

Enrollment

109

Student-Teacher

27.2:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – UG

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sylva

#4 of 6

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#194 of 579

In district

#5 of 9

Jackson County Public Schools

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Jackson Co Early College

Jackson Co Early College serves 109 students in grades 9 through undergraduate level, offering a unique educational pathway that extends beyond traditional high school in Sylva, North Carolina. With just 4 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 27.2:1, creating an intimate learning environment focused on college preparation and early college coursework. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an impressive 8.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #227 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile of North Carolina schools.

Students excel particularly in English Language Arts, with 96% achieving proficient or above levels, while 79% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. This strong academic foundation reflects the school's rigorous college-preparatory mission. Located at 404 College Drive, Jackson Co Early College serves the Sylva community in Jackson County, where the median household income is $53,470 and median home value reaches $224,600.

The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 16.3%, with 29% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school operates within this diverse mountain town setting, providing advanced educational opportunities to students ready to accelerate their academic journey toward college completion.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 109 students, Jackson Co Early College 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Jackson Co Early College is 27.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.4Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency96.5%
Math vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+42.9 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+18.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,534

Jackson Co Early College — Students at Jackson Co Early College score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 74.6%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 92.2%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2025
Math
64.3%
ELA
96.5%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Jackson Co Early College Compares

See how Jackson Co Early College performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
40th percentile in NC
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

404 College Drive, Sylva, NC 28779

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jackson Co Early College may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Blue Ridge Early College (rated 6.2/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Cashiers), with a very similar rating. Another option is Jackson Community School (rated 5.3/10, 4.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Smoky Mountain High School (rated 4.2/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sylva, see our Sylva schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Smoky Mountain High School Sylva 0.6 mi 4.2
Catamount School Sylva 0.6 mi 9.1
Fairview School Sylva 0.9 mi 6.9
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva 1.3 mi 4.5
Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee 4.1 mi 5.8
Scotts Creek School Sylva 4.5 mi 6.2
Jackson Community School Sylva 4.5 mi 5.3
VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva 7.5 mi 6.2
Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier 8.6 mi 4.9
NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee 12.0 mi 6.1
Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee 12.4 mi 8.2
Cherokee Central High School Cherokee 12.4 mi
ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley 13.4 mi
Swain County East Elementary Bryson City 12.5 mi 4.6
MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin 14.0 mi
East Franklin Elementary Franklin 14.4 mi 8.1
Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville 14.1 mi 7.9
Blue Ridge Early College Cashiers 16.0 mi 6.2
Blue Ridge School Cashiers 16.0 mi 8.4
Macon Middle School Franklin 15.5 mi 5.8

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 Jackson Co Early College 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
Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham, NC 6.0
Roanoke Rapids Early College High Roanoke Rapids, NC 6.0
Wolfe School Monroe, NC 6.0
Davidson River School Brevard, NC 5.9
LEE PARK PREPARATORY SCHOOL Monroe, NC 6.1
Mayland Early College Spruce Pine, NC 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jackson Co Early College

What grades does Jackson Co Early College serve?

Jackson Co Early College serves students in grades 9th through UG.

How many students attend Jackson Co Early College?

Jackson Co Early College has an enrollment of approximately 109 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jackson Co Early College?

The student-teacher ratio at Jackson Co Early College is 27.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jackson Co Early College rank in NC?

Jackson Co Early College is ranked #1603 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Jackson Co Early College's MySchoolScout rating?

Jackson Co Early College has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Jackson Co Early College?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jackson Co Early College has 74.6% math proficiency and 92.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Jackson Co Early College a charter school?

No, Jackson Co Early College is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Jackson Co Early College a Title I school?

No, Jackson Co Early College is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jackson Co Early College?

39.4% of students at Jackson Co Early College qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,820/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sylva). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
109
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Jackson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Jackson County Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,546
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,568
District Rank
#5 of 9

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 methodology

Related 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.