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Average

#1145 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 43% in state

South Macon Elementary

Elementary School · Macon County Schools

855 Addington Bridge Road, Franklin, NC 28734

Enrollment

477

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Franklin

#4 of 10

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#884 of 1,474

In district

#5 of 12

Macon County Schools

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About South Macon Elementary

South Macon Elementary serves 477 students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Franklin, North Carolina, earning a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks in the 76th percentile statewide, placing it at #627 out of 2,661 North Carolina elementary schools, which reflects strong performance compared to peers across the state. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers, South Macon Elementary maintains a favorable 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.

Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 66% achieving proficiency or above, while 53% demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. These results indicate a solid foundation in core academic skills during these crucial early learning years. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $48,428 and 21% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

Located on Addington Bridge Road, South Macon Elementary operates as a regular public school serving families throughout the 28734 ZIP code area, which has a population of 29,040. The school sits in a rural setting near the town of Franklin, providing students with a close-knit learning environment while maintaining access to broader community resources in Macon County.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Macon 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.1%
Math vs. State Avg+2.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.5 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+14.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,154

South Macon Elementary — Students at South Macon Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.4%
School
State
59.5%
ELA Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
65.9%
ELA
52.8%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How South Macon Elementary Compares

See how South Macon Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
57th percentile in NC
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

855 Addington Bridge Road, Franklin, NC 28734

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Macon Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cartoogechaye Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blue Ridge School (rated 8.4/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Cashiers), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 7.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Franklin, see our Franklin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Bartram Academy Franklin 0.2 mi 3.5
Macon Virtual Academy Franklin 0.2 mi 4.9
Macon Early College High School Franklin 3.4 mi 6.6
TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Franklin 4.0 mi 7.0
Mountain View Intermediate Franklin 4.0 mi 6.0
Macon Middle School Franklin 4.1 mi 5.8
Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin 4.3 mi 8.9
Franklin High Franklin 4.5 mi 3.6
East Franklin Elementary Franklin 5.5 mi 8.1
MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin 6.0 mi
Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin 7.9 mi 8.3
RABUN CAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL Rabun Gap 9.5 mi 6.4
RABUN-GAP NACOOCHEE SCHOOL Rabun Gap 10.5 mi 6.5
VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva 12.2 mi 6.2
Highlands School Highlands 12.4 mi 5.4
Nantahala School Topton 16.4 mi 7.2
Blue Ridge Early College Cashiers 15.8 mi 6.2
Blue Ridge School Cashiers 15.8 mi 8.4
Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee 17.5 mi 5.8
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva 18.4 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28734 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,221

Median Home Value

$203,700

Median Rent

$779/mo

Population

29,158

College Educated

20.9%

Homeownership

76.6%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

48.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Macon Elementary has a median household income of $50,221. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,700, with a median rent of $779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Archer Elementary Greensboro, NC 6.8
Boone Trail Elementary Mamers, NC 6.8
Broadway Elementary Broadway, NC 6.8
Carr Elementary Dallas, NC 6.8
Chantilly Montessori Charlotte, NC 6.8
Davis-Townsend Elementary Lexington, NC 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Macon Elementary

What grades does South Macon Elementary serve?

South Macon Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend South Macon Elementary?

South Macon Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 477 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Macon Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at South Macon Elementary is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Macon Elementary rank in NC?

South Macon Elementary is ranked #1145 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is South Macon Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

South Macon Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 South Macon Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Macon Elementary has 61.4% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Macon Elementary a charter school?

No, South Macon Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Macon Elementary a Title I school?

No, South Macon Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Macon Elementary?

99.4% of students at South Macon 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,176/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Franklin). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Macon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Macon County Schools
District Enrollment
4,460
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,238
District Rank
#5 of 12

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 methodology

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