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Below Average

#2167 of 2,648 schools in NC

Mountain Discovery

Elementary School · Mountain Discovery Charter School

890 Jenkins Branch Rd N, Bryson City, NC 28713

Charter

Enrollment

193

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bryson City

#4 of 5

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#1,342 of 1,474

About Mountain Discovery

Mountain Discovery is a charter elementary school nestled in the remote rural area of Bryson City, North Carolina. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 193 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1 with 11 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Mountain Discovery currently places it around the 25th percentile in the state of North Carolina, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10.

In terms of proficiency rates, 59% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 49% meet or exceed standards in Math. With room for academic growth and development, the school focuses on nurturing young minds within its rural setting. Mountain Discovery provides a unique educational experience in a tight-knit community surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor adventures.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 193 students, Mountain Discovery 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.

Mountain Discovery is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Located in a rural area, Mountain Discovery 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.71 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.8%
Math vs. State Avg-12.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.2 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected-18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,006

Mountain Discovery — Students at Mountain Discovery score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.5%
School
State
56.8%
ELA Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 18 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
42%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
51.1%
ELA
59.2%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Mountain Discovery Compares

See how Mountain Discovery performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in NC
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Location

890 Jenkins Branch Rd N, Bryson City, NC 28713

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mountain Discovery may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cartoogechaye Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bryson City, see our Bryson City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.6 mi
School Distance Rating
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryson City 0.5 mi
Swain County Middle School Bryson City 0.6 mi 5.1
Cherokee Extension School Bryson City 0.9 mi
Swain County High School Bryson City 2.3 mi 5.9
Swain County West Elementary Bryson City 2.7 mi 6.0
Swain County East Elementary Bryson City 4.5 mi 4.6
Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier 7.3 mi 4.9
NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee 10.0 mi 6.1
Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee 11.1 mi 8.2
Cherokee Central High School Cherokee 11.1 mi
Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin 13.1 mi 8.3
VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva 13.5 mi 6.2
MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin 15.8 mi
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva 13.7 mi 4.5
East Franklin Elementary Franklin 16.2 mi 8.1
Nantahala School Topton 15.1 mi 7.2
Franklin High Franklin 16.9 mi 3.6
Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin 17.1 mi 8.9
TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Franklin 17.1 mi 7.0
Jackson Co Early College Sylva 14.6 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28713 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,368

Median Home Value

$231,300

Median Rent

$707/mo

Population

8,441

College Educated

25.1%

Homeownership

74.2%

Avg Commute

23.6 min

Poverty Rate

16.4%

Median Age

46.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mountain Discovery has a median household income of $56,368. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,300, with a median rent of $707/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Courtney Elementary Yadkinville, NC 4.9
John W Dillard Academy Madison, NC 4.9
South Elementary Mebane, NC 4.9
East Voyager Academy of Charlotte Charlotte, NC 5.0
GRACE COVENANT ACADEMY Cornelius, NC 5.0
Madison Elementary Mcleansville, NC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mountain Discovery

What grades does Mountain Discovery serve?

Mountain Discovery serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Mountain Discovery?

Mountain Discovery has an enrollment of approximately 193 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mountain Discovery?

The student-teacher ratio at Mountain Discovery is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mountain Discovery rank in NC?

Mountain Discovery is ranked #2167 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Mountain Discovery's MySchoolScout rating?

Mountain Discovery has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Mountain Discovery?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mountain Discovery has 48.5% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mountain Discovery a charter school?

Yes, Mountain Discovery is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Mountain Discovery a Title I school?

No, Mountain Discovery is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,140/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bryson City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Swain County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mountain Discovery Charter School
District Enrollment
193
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,477
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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