Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.7Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75%
Reading/ELA Proficiency89.3%
Math vs. State Avg+19 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+35.7 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+36.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,939

Mayland Early College — Students at Mayland Early College score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 85.0%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 82.9%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
90%
ELA
84.5%
2021*
Math
90%
ELA
75%
2025
Math
75%
ELA
89.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
37th percentile in NC
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mitchell County Schools
District Enrollment
1,705
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,405
District Rank
#5 of 7

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.