Excellent
#291 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 11% in state
Junaluska Elementary
Elementary School · Haywood County Schools
2238 Asheville Road, Waynesville, NC 28786
Enrollment
421
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
421
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waynesville
#2 of 8
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#263 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 15
Haywood County Schools
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Junaluska Elementary
Junaluska Elementary is a public elementary school in Waynesville, NC, part of the Haywood County Schools. The school serves approximately 421 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 89th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 72% proficiency in math, 13 points above the state average and 65% in reading/language arts, 12 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $56,047, where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Junaluska Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Junaluska Elementary — Students at Junaluska Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Junaluska Elementary Compares
See how Junaluska Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 55% (2019) to 77.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 69.3% (2025).
Location
2238 Asheville Road, Waynesville, NC 28786
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Junaluska Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Canton Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Canton), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hazelwood Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 3.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Riverbend Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Clyde), with a comparable 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 | 6.0 |
| Shining Rock Classical Academy Waynesville | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
| Haywood Early College Clyde | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Waynesville Middle Waynesville | 2.5 mi | 6.4 |
| ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville | 3.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Jonathan Valley Elementary Waynesville | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Clyde Elementary Clyde | 4.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Bethel Middle Waynesville | 4.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Riverbend Elementary Clyde | 5.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Bethel Elementary Canton | 4.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Pisgah High Canton | 6.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Canton Middle Canton | 6.9 mi | 7.8 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 7.5 mi | — |
| North Canton Elementary Canton | 7.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary Canton | 7.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 13.4 mi | 5.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Junaluska Elementary has a median household income of $56,047. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $266,800, with a median rent of $1,084/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Banks Elementary Kinston, NC | 8.3 |
| Banoak Elementary Vale, NC | 8.3 |
| Bethesda Elementary Durham, NC | 8.3 |
| Cary Elementary Cary, NC | 8.3 |
| Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont, NC | 8.3 |
| Ceasar Cone Elementary Greensboro, NC | 8.3 |
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 is ranked #291 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Junaluska Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Junaluska Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Junaluska Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Junaluska Elementary has 72.1% math proficiency and 65.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waynesville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 456-2407
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Haywood County Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,566
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,458
- District Rank
- #3 of 15
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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