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Average

#1187 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 45% in state

Pisgah High

High School · Haywood County Schools

1 Black Bear Drive, Canton, NC 28716

Enrollment

908

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Canton

#4 of 5

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#100 of 579

In district

#9 of 15

Haywood County Schools

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Pisgah High

Pisgah High stands as an impressive academic institution serving 908 students in grades 9-12 in Canton, North Carolina. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1 and 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides solid educational support that shows in its outstanding performance metrics. The school earns an exceptional 8.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #156 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 94th percentile statewide.

This high achievement is reflected in strong student outcomes, with 81% of students scoring proficient or above in math and 71% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. The school's academic score of 9.1 out of 10 demonstrates consistent excellence across subject areas. Pisgah High serves families in the 28716 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $55,261 and median home value reaches $202,700.

The community includes 17,007 residents, with 22% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 14.4%. Located on Black Bear Drive, the school sits in a town setting on the fringe of an urban area in Haywood County, providing students with both small-town community feel and access to broader regional opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.94 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.3Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.6%
Math vs. State Avg+16.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+26.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College Readiness4.8Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,690

Pisgah High — Students at Pisgah High score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.5%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 64.2%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
61%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
72.5%
ELA
70.6%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Pisgah High Compares

See how Pisgah High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
55th percentile in NC
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

1 Black Bear Drive, Canton, NC 28716

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pisgah High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. (rated 7.4/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY (rated 6.4/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Candler), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Tuscola High (rated 6.0/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Canton, see our Canton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Canton Middle Canton 0.4 mi 7.8
Meadowbrook Elementary Canton 1.0 mi 5.5
North Canton Elementary Canton 1.8 mi 8.6
Clyde Elementary Clyde 3.1 mi 5.6
Bethel Elementary Canton 3.6 mi 7.7
Bethel Middle Waynesville 4.5 mi 8.6
Haywood Early College Clyde 4.9 mi 4.5
Tuscola High Waynesville 6.2 mi 6.0
Pisgah Elementary Candler 6.3 mi 6.8
Riverbend Elementary Clyde 7.3 mi 7.7
Junaluska Elementary Waynesville 6.9 mi 8.3
Candler Elementary Candler 8.0 mi 9.1
Shining Rock Classical Academy Waynesville 8.1 mi 6.3
BLUE RIDGE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesville 8.4 mi
HAYWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waynesville 8.5 mi 7.0
Central Haywood High Waynesville 8.9 mi 5.3
Waynesville Middle Waynesville 9.1 mi 6.4
ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville 9.4 mi 7.4
Enka High Candler 9.9 mi 4.8
MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY Candler 10.2 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28716 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,008

Median Home Value

$223,600

Median Rent

$961/mo

Population

16,216

College Educated

23.9%

Homeownership

75%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.3%

Median Age

43.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pisgah High has a median household income of $60,008. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,600, with a median rent of $961/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. 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
Northwest School of the Arts Charlotte, NC 6.7
Central Academy of Technology and Arts Monroe, NC 6.8
Nash Central High Rocky Mount, NC 6.8
Princeton High Princeton, NC 6.8
Wilkes Central High School Wilkesboro, NC 6.8
Atkins Academic & Tech High Winston-Salem, NC 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pisgah High

What grades does Pisgah High serve?

Pisgah High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Pisgah High?

Pisgah High has an enrollment of approximately 908 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pisgah High?

The student-teacher ratio at Pisgah High is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pisgah High rank in NC?

Pisgah High is ranked #1187 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Pisgah High's MySchoolScout rating?

Pisgah High has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Pisgah High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pisgah High has 63.5% math proficiency and 64.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pisgah High a charter school?

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

Is Pisgah High a Title I school?

No, Pisgah High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pisgah High?

98.7% of students at Pisgah High 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

City Safety
High (2,038/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
908
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Haywood County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Haywood County Schools
District Enrollment
6,566
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,458
District Rank
#9 of 15

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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