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
Enrollment
69
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
5th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Jackson Community School — Students at Jackson Community School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.7%
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: 2.9/10.
How Jackson Community School Compares
See how Jackson Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 5.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 7.1% (2025).
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (828) 586-4328
- 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
- #7 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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