Below Average
#2182 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
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,347 of 1,474
In district
#8 of 9
Jackson County Public Schools
School environment
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Smokey Mountain Elementary
Smokey Mountain Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural setting of Whittier, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school offers a broad range of educational opportunities within its K-8 framework. With an enrollment of 356 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, Smokey Mountain Elementary provides personalized attention to help each child succeed.
The academic performance at Smokey Mountain Elementary currently ranks in the lower tier among North Carolina schools, with 26% of students proficient or above in math and 32% proficient or above in ELA/reading across all grade levels. While there is room for improvement, the school focuses on student development and support to ensure each child's growth. Smokey Mountain Elementary is situated in a picturesque rural area where community ties are strong and supportive of local education efforts.
The school’s setting offers a close-knit environment that encourages collaboration between families and educators.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Smokey Mountain Elementary 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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Smokey Mountain Elementary — Students at Smokey Mountain Elementary score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 18 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 5.1/10.
How Smokey Mountain Elementary Compares
See how Smokey Mountain Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 21% (2019) to 27.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 32.5% (2025).
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. Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fairview School (rated 6.9/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Sylva), 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 | 4.6 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 5.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 6.0 mi | 8.2 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 7.3 mi | 4.9 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 8.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Swain County High School Bryson City | 7.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 8.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 8.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 8.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 8.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 8.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 9.2 mi | 5.3 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 11.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 9.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee | 12.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 14.8 mi | 8.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Smokey Mountain Elementary has a median household income of $46,026. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,900, with a median rent of $939/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Courtney Elementary Yadkinville, NC | 4.9 |
| Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School Gastonia, NC | 4.9 |
| John W Dillard Academy Madison, NC | 4.9 |
| Mariam Boyd Elementary Warrenton, NC | 4.9 |
| Rowland Norment Elementary Lumberton, NC | 4.9 |
| South Elementary Mebane, NC | 4.9 |
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 is ranked #2182 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Smokey Mountain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Smokey Mountain Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Smokey Mountain Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smokey Mountain Elementary has 26.1% math proficiency and 32.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,346/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 497-5535
- 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
- #8 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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