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
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Nantahala School — Students at Nantahala School score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 4.6/10.
How Nantahala School Compares
See how Nantahala School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 44.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 51.4% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (828) 321-4388
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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