Needs Improvement
#2488 of 2,648 schools in NC
Smokey Mountain Elementary
Elementary School · Jackson County Public Schools
884 US Hwy 441N, Whittier, NC 28789
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,488 of 2,648
In district
#9 of 9
Jackson County Public Schools
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Smokey Mountain Elementary
Elementary School in Whittier · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Swain County East Elementary
4.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
New Kituwah Academy
5.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Smokey Mountain Elementary
Smokey Mountain Elementary is a public elementary school in Whittier, NC, part of Jackson County Public Schools. Smokey Mountain Elementary serves approximately 356 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Smokey Mountain Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,488 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Smokey Mountain Elementary show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.9
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Smokey Mountain Elementary 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.
43% of students at Smokey Mountain Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Smokey Mountain Elementary — Students at Smokey Mountain Elementary score 30% 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 42 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: 3.4/10.
How Smokey Mountain Elementary Compares
See how Smokey Mountain Elementary 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
884 US Hwy 441N, Whittier, NC 28789
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Smokey Mountain Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY (rated 6.1/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Whittier, see our Whittier schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 4.0 mi | 5.7 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 5.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 6.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 6.0 mi | — |
| Cherokee Extension School Bryson City | 6.9 mi | — |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryson City | 6.9 mi | — |
| Swain County Middle School Bryson City | 7.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 7.3 mi | 4.3 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 8.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Swain County High School Bryson City | 7.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 8.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 8.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 8.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 8.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 8.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 9.2 mi | 5.5 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 11.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 9.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee | 12.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 14.8 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28789 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$46,026
Median Home Value
$220,900
Median Rent
$939/mo
Population
6,347
College Educated
24.7%
Homeownership
64.3%
Poverty Rate
27.7%
Median Age
42.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bessemer City Central Elem Bessemer City, NC | 3.5 |
| Fairgrove Elementary School Fairmont, NC | 3.5 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia, NC | 3.5 |
| Pleasant Grove Elementary Burlington, NC | 3.5 |
| B. Everett Jordan Elementary Graham, NC | 3.4 |
| Blue Ridge Elementary Burnsville, NC | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Smokey Mountain Elementary
What grades does Smokey Mountain Elementary serve?
Smokey Mountain Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Smokey Mountain Elementary?
Smokey Mountain Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 356 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Smokey Mountain Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Smokey Mountain Elementary is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Smokey Mountain Elementary rank in NC?
Smokey Mountain Elementary ranks #2,488 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Smokey Mountain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Smokey Mountain Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Smokey Mountain Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Smokey Mountain Elementary has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Smokey Mountain Elementary a charter school?
No, Smokey Mountain Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Smokey Mountain Elementary a Title I school?
No, Smokey Mountain Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smokey Mountain Elementary?
96.6% of students at Smokey Mountain Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 356
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Jackson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.3%
- Phone
- (828) 497-5535
Resources & Links
District
Jackson County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,546
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,568
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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