Average
#1676 of 2,648 schools in NC
Mayland Early College
High School · Mitchell County Schools
PO Box 547, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher
23:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher
23:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – UG
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spruce Pine
#3 of 4
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#206 of 579
In district
#5 of 7
Mitchell County Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Mayland Early College
Mayland Early College serves 115 students in grades 9 through undergraduate level in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, offering a unique educational pathway that blends high school and college coursework. This small rural school maintains a 23:1 student-teacher ratio with 5 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students can pursue both their high school diploma and college credits simultaneously. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #335 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 87th percentile statewide.
Students excel academically with 89% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 81% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics, reflecting the school's rigorous academic approach. Located in Avery County's 28777 ZIP code area, the school serves a community with a median household income of $57,154 and median home values around $189,700. While 17% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the poverty rate stands at 14.8%, Mayland Early College provides an accessible pathway for students to advance their education beyond traditional high school boundaries.
The school operates in the scenic rural setting of western North Carolina's mountain region, where students can pursue accelerated academic opportunities while remaining connected to their local community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 115 students, Mayland Early College 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.
The student-teacher ratio at Mayland Early College is 23:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Mayland Early College 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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Mayland Early College — Students at Mayland Early College score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.4%
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: 2.8/10.
How Mayland Early College Compares
See how Mayland Early College performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 90% (2019) to 75% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 84.5% (2019) to 89.3% (2025).
Location
PO Box 547, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mayland Early College may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mitchell High (rated 5.2/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Bakersville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Avery County High (rated 4.4/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Newland), a more accessible option. For more schools in Spruce Pine, see our Spruce Pine schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spruce Pine | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| SPRUCE PINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spruce Pine | 3.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Riverside Elementary Newland | 3.8 mi | 5.8 |
| TRI-COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spruce Pine | 3.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 4.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Harris Middle Spruce Pine | 4.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Deyton Elementary Spruce Pine | 4.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Mitchell High Bakersville | 6.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Marjorie Williams Academy Crossnore | 8.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Crossnore Elementary Crossnore | 8.1 mi | 8.5 |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 10.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Gouge Elementary Bakersville | 9.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Bowman Middle Bakersville | 9.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Avery County High Newland | 10.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Avery Middle Newland | 10.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Newland Elementary Newland | 11.5 mi | 6.0 |
| South Toe Elementary Burnsville | 11.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Micaville Elementary Micaville | 11.3 mi | 3.1 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 12.3 mi | — |
| Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park | 14.9 mi | 8.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28777 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,399
Median Home Value
$206,300
Median Rent
$686/mo
Population
10,368
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
76.9%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
45.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mayland Early College has a median household income of $62,399. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,300, with a median rent of $686/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Davidson River School Brevard, NC | 5.9 |
| Turning Point Academy Shelby, NC | 5.9 |
| Durham's Performance Learning Center Durham, NC | 6.0 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva, NC | 6.0 |
| Roanoke Rapids Early College High Roanoke Rapids, NC | 6.0 |
| Wolfe School Monroe, NC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mayland Early College
What grades does Mayland Early College serve?
Mayland Early College serves students in grades 9th through UG.
How many students attend Mayland Early College?
Mayland Early College has an enrollment of approximately 115 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mayland Early College?
The student-teacher ratio at Mayland Early College is 23:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mayland Early College rank in NC?
Mayland Early College is ranked #1676 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mayland Early College's MySchoolScout rating?
Mayland Early College has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Mayland Early College?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mayland Early College has 85.0% math proficiency and 82.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mayland Early College a charter school?
No, Mayland Early College is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mayland Early College a Title I school?
No, Mayland Early College is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mayland Early College?
97.4% of students at Mayland Early College 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 (1,599/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Spruce Pine). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – UG
- Enrollment
- 115
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Avery County
- Phone
- (828) 766-2590
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mitchell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,705
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,405
- District Rank
- #5 of 7
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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