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
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Mountain Discovery — Students at Mountain Discovery score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 4.8/10.
How Mountain Discovery Compares
See how Mountain Discovery performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 51.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 58.8% (2025).
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.
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
- Phone
- (828) 488-1222
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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