Below Average
#2415 of 2,648 schools in NC
Smoky Mountain High School
High School · Jackson County Public Schools
100 Smoky Mountain Drive, Sylva, NC 28779
Enrollment
899
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
899
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sylva
#6 of 6
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#464 of 579
In district
#9 of 9
Jackson County Public Schools
About Smoky Mountain High School
Smoky Mountain High School serves 899 students in grades 9-12 in Sylva, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 across its 53 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #978 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 63rd percentile among North Carolina high schools. Academically, the school demonstrates solid performance with 57% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 55% in mathematics.
These scores reflect steady educational progress, with room for continued academic growth. The school's academic score of 7.3 out of 10 indicates a commitment to student development across all grade levels. Located on Smoky Mountain Drive in Jackson County, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $53,470 and 29% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding ZIP code has a population of 18,421, with a median home value of $224,600 and a poverty rate of 16.3%, reflecting a mixed-income community with varying economic backgrounds. Smoky Mountain High School sits in the heart of Sylva, a charming mountain town that offers students access to both educational opportunities and the natural beauty of western North Carolina's scenic landscape.
Score Breakdown
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Smoky Mountain High School — Students at Smoky Mountain High School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
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 6 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: 1.7/10.
How Smoky Mountain High School Compares
See how Smoky Mountain High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 38.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 58% (2019) to 56.7% (2025).
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. ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. (rated 7.4/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blue Ridge Early College (rated 6.2/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Cashiers), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jackson Co Early College (rated 6.0/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 9.1 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 4.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 4.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee | 4.3 mi | 5.8 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 8.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 8.8 mi | 4.9 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 12.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 12.3 mi | 8.2 |
| 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 | 4.6 |
| Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville | 13.5 mi | 7.9 |
| 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 | 8.1 |
| Blue Ridge Early College Cashiers | 16.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Blue Ridge School Cashiers | 16.2 mi | 8.4 |
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 Smoky Mountain High 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 |
|---|---|
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual School Charlotte, NC | 4.2 |
| Eastern Guilford High Gibsonville, NC | 4.2 |
| Mount Pleasant High Mount Pleasant, NC | 4.2 |
| South Granville High Creedmoor, NC | 4.2 |
| Bethany Community School Summerfield, NC | 4.3 |
| North Rowan High Spencer, NC | 4.3 |
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 is ranked #2415 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Smoky Mountain High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Smoky Mountain High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Smoky Mountain High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smoky Mountain High School has 57.5% math proficiency and 58.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (828) 586-2177
- 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
- #9 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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