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Average

#2071 of 2,648 schools in NC

Mitchell High

High School · Mitchell County Schools

416 Ledger School Rd, Bakersville, NC 28705

Enrollment

508

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bakersville

#3 of 3

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#333 of 579

In district

#6 of 7

Mitchell County Schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Mitchell High

Mitchell High, located in the rural setting of Bakersville, North Carolina, is a regular public high school serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 508 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, Mitchell High provides a supportive learning environment facilitated by its 42 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 indicates that there is room for academic growth, with the state ranking at #2030 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it in the 24th percentile.

Academically, Mitchell High shows 53% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 47% proficiency or above in Math across all grades. The school is situated in a rural area that offers a close-knit community feel.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Mitchell High 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 Progress1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.7%
Math vs. State Avg-32.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness5.4Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,939

Mitchell High — Students at Mitchell High score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.2%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 52.9%
School
State
53.6%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
23.5%
ELA
54.7%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How Mitchell High Compares

See how Mitchell High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
22th percentile in NC
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

416 Ledger School Rd, Bakersville, NC 28705

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mitchell High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mayland Early College (rated 5.9/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Spruce Pine), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Avery County High (rated 4.4/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Newland), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bakersville, see our Bakersville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Gouge Elementary Bakersville 3.5 mi 8.9
Bowman Middle Bakersville 3.5 mi 7.6
Deyton Elementary Spruce Pine 4.5 mi 3.9
Harris Middle Spruce Pine 4.6 mi 7.1
SPRUCE PINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spruce Pine 4.7 mi 5.7
TRI-COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spruce Pine 4.9 mi 5.4
Riverside Elementary Newland 5.6 mi 5.8
Mayland Early College Spruce Pine 6.2 mi 5.9
Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine 7.0 mi 8.0
BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spruce Pine 6.6 mi 6.9
Micaville Elementary Micaville 7.2 mi 3.1
South Toe Elementary Burnsville 9.8 mi 6.0
Burnsville Elementary Burnsville 8.8 mi 6.4
East Yancey Middle Burnsville 8.9 mi 5.5
GENESIS ACADEMY, INC. Burnsville 9.0 mi
ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville 11.0 mi
Marjorie Williams Academy Crossnore 11.2 mi 7.7
North Cove Elementary School Marion 13.4 mi 4.7
Crossnore Elementary Crossnore 11.4 mi 8.5
Avery County High Newland 12.9 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,350

Median Home Value

$202,200

Median Rent

$855/mo

Population

6,733

College Educated

21.7%

Homeownership

80.1%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Median Age

49.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mitchell High has a median household income of $54,350. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,200, with a median rent of $855/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Wheatmore High School Trinity, NC 5.2
Early College of Forsyth Co Winston-Salem, NC 5.3
Piedmont Classical High School Browns Summit, NC 5.3
Polk County High School Columbus, NC 5.3
School of Inquiry and Life Sciences Asheville, NC 5.3
Southern Wake Academy Holly Springs, NC 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mitchell High

What grades does Mitchell High serve?

Mitchell High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mitchell High?

Mitchell High has an enrollment of approximately 508 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mitchell High?

The student-teacher ratio at Mitchell High is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mitchell High rank in NC?

Mitchell High is ranked #2071 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Mitchell High's MySchoolScout rating?

Mitchell High has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Mitchell High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mitchell High has 44.2% math proficiency and 52.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mitchell High a charter school?

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

Is Mitchell High a Title I school?

No, Mitchell High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mitchell High?

98.0% of students at Mitchell High 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
508
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Mitchell County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mitchell County Schools
District Enrollment
1,705
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,405
District Rank
#6 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

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