Very Good
#981 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 37% in state
Smoky Mountain High School
High School · Jackson County Public Schools
100 Smoky Mountain Drive, Sylva, NC 28779
Enrollment
899
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
899
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#981 of 2,648
In Sylva
#3 of 6
public schools
In district
#2 of 9
Jackson County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Smoky Mountain High School
High School in Sylva · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Catamount School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fairview School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Smoky Mountain High School
Smoky Mountain High School is a public high school in Sylva, NC, part of Jackson County Public Schools. Smoky Mountain High School serves approximately 899 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Smoky Mountain High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #981 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Smoky Mountain High School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- District avg 6.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
38% of students at Smoky Mountain High School 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Smoky Mountain High School — Students at Smoky Mountain High School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 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: 8.7/10.
How Smoky Mountain High School Compares
See how Smoky Mountain High School 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
100 Smoky Mountain Drive, Sylva, NC 28779
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Smoky Mountain High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Jackson Co Early College (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. (rated 7.4/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Blue Ridge Early College (rated 6.4/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Cashiers), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sylva, see our Sylva schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Catamount School Sylva | 0.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 4.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 4.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee | 4.3 mi | 5.1 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 8.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 8.8 mi | 3.5 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 12.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 12.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 12.3 mi | — |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 12.9 mi | — |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 12.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville | 13.5 mi | 6.2 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 14.5 mi | — |
| ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville | 14.1 mi | 7.4 |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 14.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Blue Ridge Early College Cashiers | 16.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Blue Ridge School Cashiers | 16.2 mi | 6.3 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Chase High School Forest City, NC | 7.0 |
| East Henderson High East Flat Rock, NC | 7.0 |
| Jimmy C Draughn High School Valdese, NC | 7.0 |
| Parkwood High Monroe, NC | 7.0 |
| West Bladen High Bladenboro, NC | 7.0 |
| Wilkes Central High School Wilkesboro, NC | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Smoky Mountain High School
What grades does Smoky Mountain High School serve?
Smoky Mountain High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Smoky Mountain High School?
Smoky Mountain High School has an enrollment of approximately 899 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Smoky Mountain High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Smoky Mountain High School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Smoky Mountain High School rank in NC?
Smoky Mountain High School ranks #981 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Smoky Mountain High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Smoky Mountain High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Smoky Mountain High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Smoky Mountain High School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Smoky Mountain High School a charter school?
No, Smoky Mountain High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Smoky Mountain High School a Title I school?
No, Smoky Mountain High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smoky Mountain High School?
53.4% of students at Smoky Mountain High 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 899
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Jackson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.6%
- Phone
- (828) 586-2177
- 4-Year Graduation
- 94.0%
Resources & Links
District
Jackson County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,546
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,568
- District Rank
- #2 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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