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Below Average

#2366 of 2,648 schools in NC

Scotts Creek School

Elementary School · Jackson County Public Schools

516 Parris Branch, Sylva, NC 28779

Enrollment

438

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,366 of 2,648

In Sylva

#6 of 6

public schools

In district

#8 of 9

Jackson County Public Schools

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Scotts Creek School

4.0/10

Elementary School in Sylva · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Jackson Community School

5.5/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Fairview School

5.8/10

3.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Scotts Creek School

Scotts Creek School is a public elementary school in Sylva, NC, part of Jackson County Public Schools. Scotts Creek School serves approximately 438 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Scotts Creek School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,366 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Scotts Creek School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Scotts Creek 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-29.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.5 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-15.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,568
Chronic Absenteeism29.2%

Scotts Creek School — Students at Scotts Creek School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 48.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 42 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
46%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
46%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
44%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
39%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
40%
2020*
Math
21%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
34.8%
ELA
41.2%
2025
Math
34.8%
ELA
47.4%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Scotts Creek School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
11th percentile in NC
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

516 Parris Branch, Sylva, NC 28779

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Scotts Creek School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hazelwood Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY (rated 6.1/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sylva, see our Sylva schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Jackson Community School Sylva 0.9 mi 5.5
Fairview School Sylva 3.8 mi 5.8
Catamount School Sylva 4.0 mi 8.7
Smoky Mountain High School Sylva 4.0 mi 7.0
Jackson Co Early College Sylva 4.5 mi 7.9
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva 5.5 mi 4.5
Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee 8.0 mi 5.1
ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley 9.0 mi
Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier 8.4 mi 3.5
Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee 9.8 mi 8.1
Cherokee Central High School Cherokee 9.8 mi
NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee 9.8 mi 6.1
Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville 10.4 mi 6.2
VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva 11.8 mi 6.2
ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville 11.1 mi 7.4
Jonathan Valley Elementary Waynesville 11.8 mi 5.6
Waynesville Middle Waynesville 11.4 mi 6.9
Central Haywood High Waynesville 11.7 mi 4.8
Swain County East Elementary Bryson City 12.2 mi 5.7
HAYWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waynesville 13.1 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28779 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,407

Median Home Value

$234,200

Median Rent

$803/mo

Population

17,845

College Educated

28.2%

Homeownership

66.6%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

16.4%

Median Age

42.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Crosscreek Charter School Louisburg, NC 4.0
Forestville Road Elementary Knightdale, NC 4.0
Granite Quarry Elementary Granite Quarry, NC 4.0
Harvey R Newlin Elementary Burlington, NC 4.0
Lindley Park Elementary Asheboro, NC 4.0
Mineral Springs Elementary Winston-Salem, NC 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Scotts Creek School

What grades does Scotts Creek School serve?

Scotts Creek School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Scotts Creek School?

Scotts Creek School has an enrollment of approximately 438 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Scotts Creek School?

The student-teacher ratio at Scotts Creek School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Scotts Creek School rank in NC?

Scotts Creek School ranks #2,366 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Scotts Creek School's MySchoolScout rating?

Scotts Creek School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Scotts Creek School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Scotts Creek School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Scotts Creek School a charter school?

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

Is Scotts Creek School a Title I school?

No, Scotts Creek School is not currently a Title I school.

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

66.0% of students at Scotts Creek 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
438
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Jackson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.2%

District

Jackson County Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,546
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,568
District Rank
#8 of 9

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