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Average

#1765 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

5.5

Grades

5th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,765 of 2,648

In Sylva

#5 of 6

public schools

In district

#6 of 9

Jackson County Public Schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Jackson Community School

5.5/10

High School in Sylva · grades 5th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Scotts Creek School

4.0/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Fairview School

5.8/10

3.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Jackson Community School

Jackson Community School is a public high school in Sylva, NC, part of Jackson County Public Schools. Jackson Community School serves approximately 69 students, and covers grades 5th-12th, and has a 8.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Jackson Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,765 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Jackson Community School show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 69 students, Jackson Community School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 8.6:1 students to teachers, Jackson Community School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-50.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-46.5 pts
Overall Proficiency6% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-41.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile0th
College Readiness8.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate77%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,568

Jackson Community School — Students at Jackson Community School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

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 17.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 22.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 29 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2010
Math
54.5%
ELA
34.5%
2011
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2012
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2013
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2018
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2019
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
ELA
25%
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: 2.6/10.

How Jackson Community School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
33th percentile in NC
Academic
1.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

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

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Jackson Co Early College (rated 7.9/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. (rated 7.4/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Smoky Mountain High School (rated 7.0/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 4.0
Fairview School Sylva 3.8 mi 5.8
Catamount School Sylva 4.0 mi 8.7
Smoky Mountain High School Sylva 4.0 mi 7.0
Jackson Co Early College Sylva 4.5 mi 7.9
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva 5.7 mi 4.5
Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee 7.7 mi 5.1
ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley 8.9 mi
Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier 9.2 mi 3.5
Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville 9.9 mi 6.2
Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee 10.6 mi 8.1
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 5.6
Waynesville Middle Waynesville 10.9 mi 6.9
Central Haywood High Waynesville 11.2 mi 4.8
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Global E-Learning Academy Elkin, NC 5.5
Lakeview School Durham, NC 5.6
Gateway School Granite Falls, NC 5.2
Henderson High Salisbury, NC 5.2
Ashley Chapel Educational Center Rockingham, NC 5.9
WATERVIEW LEARNING ACADEMY Wilmington, NC 5.1

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 ranks #1,765 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Jackson Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jackson Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Jackson Community School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jackson Community School has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
4-Year Graduation
77.0%

District

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

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