Very Good
#714 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 27% in state
Nantahala School
School · Macon County Schools
213 Windingstairs Rd, Topton, NC 28781
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher
7.2:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#714 of 2,648
In district
#2 of 12
Macon County Schools
School environment
8.5 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Nantahala School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Nantahala School
School in Topton · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Andrews Middle
10.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Robbinsville High
10.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Nantahala School
Nantahala School is a public school in Topton, NC, part of Macon County Schools. Nantahala School serves approximately 87 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 7.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Nantahala School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #714 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Nantahala School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.5 · Very Good
- District avg 6.3
- NC avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 87 students, Nantahala School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 7.2:1 students to teachers, Nantahala School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Nantahala School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Nantahala School — Students at Nantahala School score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
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 30 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How Nantahala School Compares
See how Nantahala School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
213 Windingstairs Rd, Topton, NC 28781
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nantahala School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Macon Early College High School (rated 7.9/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Robbinsville High (rated 7.2/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Robbinsville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Franklin), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.0 |
| Robbinsville High Robbinsville | 10.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Robbinsville Middle Robbinsville | 10.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Robbinsville Elementary Robbinsville | 11.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 12.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Andrews High Andrews | 11.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Andrews Elementary Andrews | 11.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin | 12.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 12.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 15.1 mi | 4.3 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| Cherokee Extension School Bryson City | 15.9 mi | — |
| Swain County High School Bryson City | 16.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 15.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Macon Early College High School Franklin | 15.6 mi | 7.9 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 15.4 mi | — |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 15.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Bartram Academy Franklin | 16.3 mi | 3.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| HAYWORTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL High Point, NC | 7.5 |
| HIGHLANDER ACADEMY Red Springs, NC | 7.5 |
| WORD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spindale, NC | 7.5 |
| CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL New Bern, NC | 7.4 |
| THE JOHN CROSLAND SCHOOL Charlotte, NC | 7.6 |
| THE TRILOGY SCHOOL Raleigh, 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 ranks #714 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Nantahala School's MySchoolScout rating?
Nantahala School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Nantahala School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Nantahala School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.8%
- Phone
- (828) 321-4388
- 4-Year Graduation
- 80%+
Resources & Links
District
Macon County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,460
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,238
- District Rank
- #2 of 12
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.