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Very Good

#541 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 20% in state

Junaluska Elementary

Elementary School · Haywood County Schools

2238 Asheville Road, Waynesville, NC 28786

Enrollment

421

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#541 of 2,648

In Waynesville

#2 of 8

public schools

In district

#5 of 15

Haywood County Schools

Equity

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Junaluska Elementary

7.8/10

Elementary School in Waynesville · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tuscola High

7.1/10

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

Shining Rock Classical Academy

5.8/10

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

About Junaluska Elementary

Junaluska Elementary is a public elementary school in Waynesville, NC, part of Haywood County Schools. Junaluska Elementary serves approximately 421 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Junaluska Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #541 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Junaluska Elementary show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Junaluska Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.3% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+13.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.7 pts
Overall Proficiency74% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+27.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,458
Chronic Absenteeism25.7%

Junaluska Elementary — Students at Junaluska Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 65.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
88%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
70%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
70%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
70%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
69.5%
ELA
65.3%
2025
Math
77%
ELA
69.4%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Junaluska Elementary Compares

See how Junaluska Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
80th percentile in NC
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.7%

Programs & Offerings

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

2238 Asheville Road, Waynesville, NC 28786

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Junaluska Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Riverbend Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Clyde), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Canton Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Canton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bethel Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Canton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Waynesville, see our Waynesville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Tuscola High Waynesville 1.2 mi 7.1
Shining Rock Classical Academy Waynesville 1.6 mi 5.8
BLUE RIDGE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesville 1.9 mi
HAYWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waynesville 2.0 mi 7.0
Central Haywood High Waynesville 2.3 mi 4.8
Haywood Early College Clyde 2.3 mi 7.1
Waynesville Middle Waynesville 2.5 mi 6.9
ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville 3.0 mi 7.4
Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville 3.6 mi 6.2
Jonathan Valley Elementary Waynesville 4.2 mi 5.6
Clyde Elementary Clyde 4.2 mi 5.4
Bethel Middle Waynesville 4.6 mi 8.9
Riverbend Elementary Clyde 5.3 mi 9.0
Bethel Elementary Canton 4.5 mi 7.7
Pisgah High Canton 6.9 mi 8.1
Canton Middle Canton 6.9 mi 6.1
ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley 7.5 mi
North Canton Elementary Canton 7.7 mi 8.3
Meadowbrook Elementary Canton 7.7 mi 5.7
Jackson Community School Sylva 13.4 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28786 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,047

Median Home Value

$266,800

Median Rent

$1,084/mo

Population

22,153

College Educated

31.8%

Homeownership

70%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Age

49.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
A.C.E. Academy Harrisburg, NC 7.8
Brush Creek Elementary Marshall, NC 7.8
Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory, NC 7.8
Dobson Elementary Dobson, NC 7.8
Dr John Codington Elem Wilmington, NC 7.8
Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School Forest City, NC 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Junaluska Elementary

What grades does Junaluska Elementary serve?

Junaluska Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Junaluska Elementary?

Junaluska Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 421 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Junaluska Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Junaluska Elementary is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Junaluska Elementary rank in NC?

Junaluska Elementary ranks #541 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Junaluska Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Junaluska Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Junaluska Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Junaluska Elementary has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Junaluska Elementary a charter school?

No, Junaluska Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Junaluska Elementary a Title I school?

No, Junaluska Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Junaluska Elementary?

99.3% of students at Junaluska Elementary 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
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
421
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Haywood County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.7%

District

Haywood County Schools
District Enrollment
6,566
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,458
District Rank
#5 of 15

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