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
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
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
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South Macon Elementary — Students at South Macon Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 4.9/10.
How South Macon Elementary Compares
See how South Macon Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 65.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 53.1% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (828) 369-0796
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Macon County Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,460
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,238
- District Rank
- #5 of 12
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.
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