Average
#1504 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
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
438
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sylva
#3 of 6
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,071 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 9
Jackson County Public Schools
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Scotts Creek School
Scotts Creek School is a regular public school located in Sylva, North Carolina, in Jackson County. Serving students from pre-K through eighth grade, the school offers a comprehensive educational experience with an enrollment of 438 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers, Scotts Creek School provides personalized attention to each student.
The academic performance at Scotts Creek School is in line with room for improvement, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and state ranking of #1979 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina (26th percentile). The school’s Academic Score is 3.1/10, indicating that students are working to meet proficiency standards in both English Language Arts and Mathematics, with 45% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 32% proficient or above in Math. Scotts Creek School is situated in a rural area near the town of Sylva, offering students a close-knit community setting.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Scotts Creek School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Scotts Creek 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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Data not available for this school
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Scotts Creek School — Students at Scotts Creek School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How Scotts Creek School Compares
See how Scotts Creek School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 26% (2019) to 34.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 40% (2019) to 47.1% (2025).
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 8.2/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hazelwood Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jonathan Valley Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores slightly 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 | 5.3 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 3.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 4.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 4.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 4.5 mi | 6.0 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 5.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee | 8.0 mi | 5.8 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 9.0 mi | — |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 8.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 9.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 9.8 mi | — |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 9.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville | 10.4 mi | 7.9 |
| 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 | 7.0 |
| Waynesville Middle Waynesville | 11.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Central Haywood High Waynesville | 11.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 12.2 mi | 4.6 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Scotts Creek School has a median household income of $54,407. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,200, with a median rent of $803/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Alexander Wilson Elementary Graham, NC | 6.2 |
| Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville, NC | 6.2 |
| Bostian Elementary China Grove, NC | 6.2 |
| Brooks Global Elementary Greensboro, NC | 6.2 |
| Butler Avenue Elementary Clinton, NC | 6.2 |
| Chapel Grove Elementary Gastonia, NC | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #1504 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Scotts Creek School's MySchoolScout rating?
Scotts Creek School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Scotts Creek School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Scotts Creek School has 32.3% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,820/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sylva). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 631-2740
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Jackson County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,546
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,568
- District Rank
- #3 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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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