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
Enrollment
109
Student-Teacher
27.2:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – UG
Updated
2022-23
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
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Jackson Co Early College — Students at Jackson Co Early College score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 3.6/10.
How Jackson Co Early College Compares
See how Jackson Co Early College performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 64.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 90% (2019) to 96.5% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (828) 339-4499
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Jackson County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,546
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,568
- District Rank
- #5 of 9
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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