Skip to main content

Average

#2009 of 2,648 schools in NC

Jackson Community School

High School · Jackson County Public Schools

3770 Skyland Drive, Sylva, NC 28779

Enrollment

69

Student-Teacher

8.6:1

Score

5.3

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sylva

#5 of 6

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#308 of 579

In district

#7 of 9

Jackson County Public Schools

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Jackson Community School

Jackson Community School is an alternative high school located in Sylva, North Carolina, serving students from fifth through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 69 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 8.6:1, the school offers personalized attention and support to its diverse student body. Jackson Community School focuses on meeting the needs of students who may benefit from an alternative educational setting.

While academic performance metrics show room for growth with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2535 out of 2661 schools, the school prioritizes student development through its dedicated staff of eight full-time equivalent teachers. Students typically perform below average in both ELA/Reading (11% proficient or above) and Math (7% proficient or above). Located in a small town setting, Jackson Community School is part of the charming community of Sylva, offering students a close-knit environment that supports their unique educational journeys.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 69 students, Jackson Community School 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1, Jackson Community 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.2Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.1%
Math vs. State Avg-50.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-46.5 pts
Overall Proficiency6%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-39.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile0th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,534

Jackson Community School — Students at Jackson Community School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 6.9%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 10.7%
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
5%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2025
Math
5.6%
ELA
7.1%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Jackson Community School Compares

See how Jackson Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
24th percentile in NC
Academic
1.2/10
1.2/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

3770 Skyland Drive, Sylva, NC 28779

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jackson Community School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. (rated 7.4/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jackson Co Early College (rated 6.0/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Central Haywood High (rated 5.3/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sylva, see our Sylva schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Scotts Creek School Sylva 0.9 mi 6.2
Fairview School Sylva 3.8 mi 6.9
Catamount School Sylva 4.0 mi 9.1
Smoky Mountain High School Sylva 4.0 mi 4.2
Jackson Co Early College Sylva 4.5 mi 6.0
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva 5.7 mi 4.5
Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee 7.7 mi 5.8
ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley 8.9 mi
Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier 9.2 mi 4.9
Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville 9.9 mi 7.9
Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee 10.6 mi 8.2
Cherokee Central High School Cherokee 10.6 mi
NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee 10.6 mi 6.1
ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville 10.5 mi 7.4
Jonathan Valley Elementary Waynesville 11.6 mi 7.0
Waynesville Middle Waynesville 10.9 mi 6.4
Central Haywood High Waynesville 11.2 mi 5.3
VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva 12.0 mi 6.2
HAYWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waynesville 12.7 mi 7.0
BLUE RIDGE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesville 12.8 mi

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 Community School 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
Central Haywood High Waynesville, NC 5.3
Meadowbrook Academy King, NC 5.3
The Oaks Academy Murphy, NC 5.4
WATERVIEW LEARNING ACADEMY Wilmington, NC 5.1
Ashley Chapel Educational Center Rockingham, NC 5.0
Cabarrus Co Opportunity School Concord, NC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jackson Community School

What grades does Jackson Community School serve?

Jackson Community School serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Jackson Community School?

Jackson Community School has an enrollment of approximately 69 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jackson Community School?

The student-teacher ratio at Jackson Community School is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jackson Community School rank in NC?

Jackson Community School is ranked #2009 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Jackson Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jackson Community School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Jackson Community School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jackson Community School has 6.9% math proficiency and 10.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Jackson Community School a charter school?

No, Jackson Community School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Jackson Community School a Title I school?

No, Jackson Community School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jackson Community School?

95.7% of students at Jackson Community 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.

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
5th – 12th
Enrollment
69
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.7%
Type
alternative
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
#7 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.