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Very Good

#907 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 34% in state

Nantahala School

School · Macon County Schools

213 Windingstairs Rd, Topton, NC 28781

Enrollment

87

Student-Teacher

7.2:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#15 of 120

In district

#4 of 12

Macon County Schools

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Nantahala School

Nantahala School is a K through 12 regular public school located in the remote rural area of Topton, North Carolina. With an enrollment of just 87 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 7.2:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment that supports individual academic needs. The school's dedicated staff includes 12 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with students to foster growth and development.

Academically, Nantahala School ranks in the 22nd percentile statewide, with an average MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and a more focused academic score of 3.7 out of 10. In reading and ELA, 53% of students are proficient or above, while 42% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate areas for continued improvement but also highlight the school's commitment to student development.

Surrounded by a rural setting with few immediate neighborhood characteristics available, Nantahala School is deeply rooted in its community and offers a unique educational experience in this remote part of Macon County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 87 students, Nantahala School 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.2:1, Nantahala School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Nantahala School 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 Progress4.6Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.4%
Math vs. State Avg-1.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.2 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,154

Nantahala School — Students at Nantahala School score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 53.5%
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
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2025
Math
54.5%
ELA
51.4%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Nantahala School Compares

See how Nantahala School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
66th percentile in NC
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

213 Windingstairs Rd, Topton, NC 28781

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nantahala School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Cartoogechaye Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Franklin Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Topton, see our Topton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Andrews Middle Andrews 10.1 mi 5.9
Robbinsville High Robbinsville 10.5 mi 6.3
Robbinsville Middle Robbinsville 10.6 mi 4.3
Robbinsville Elementary Robbinsville 11.0 mi 5.3
Swain County West Elementary Bryson City 12.4 mi 6.0
Andrews High Andrews 11.5 mi 4.5
Andrews Elementary Andrews 11.4 mi 4.3
Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin 12.6 mi 8.9
Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin 12.5 mi 8.3
Mountain Discovery Bryson City 15.1 mi 4.9
TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Franklin 14.5 mi 7.0
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryson City 15.6 mi
Swain County Middle School Bryson City 15.7 mi 5.1
Cherokee Extension School Bryson City 15.9 mi
Swain County High School Bryson City 16.7 mi 5.9
Franklin High Franklin 15.2 mi 3.6
Macon Early College High School Franklin 15.6 mi 6.6
MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin 15.4 mi
East Franklin Elementary Franklin 15.5 mi 8.1
Bartram Academy Franklin 16.3 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28781 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,577

Median Home Value

$261,000

Median Rent

$691/mo

Population

1,058

College Educated

28.1%

Homeownership

79.5%

Poverty Rate

3%

Median Age

59

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nantahala School has a median household income of $50,577. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,000, with a median rent of $691/month. The local poverty rate of 3.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Monroe, NC 7.2
TEMPLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockingham, NC 7.2
THE PIEDMONT SCHOOL High Point, NC 7.3
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wilmington, NC 7.1
BROOKSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dunn, NC 7.0
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL New Bern, NC 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nantahala School

What grades does Nantahala School serve?

Nantahala School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Nantahala School?

Nantahala School has an enrollment of approximately 87 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nantahala School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nantahala School is 7.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nantahala School rank in NC?

Nantahala School is ranked #907 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Nantahala School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nantahala School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Nantahala School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nantahala School has 47.8% math proficiency and 53.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nantahala School a charter school?

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

Is Nantahala School a Title I school?

No, Nantahala School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nantahala School?

96.6% of students at Nantahala School 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

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
2 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Macon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Macon County Schools
District Enrollment
4,460
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,238
District Rank
#4 of 12

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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