Average
#1682 of 2,648 schools in NC
Swain County East Elementary
Elementary School · Swain County Schools
4747 Ela Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,682 of 2,648
In Bryson City
#1 of 5
public schools
In district
#1 of 4
Swain County Schools
School environment
8.3 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Swain County East Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Swain County East Elementary
Elementary School in Bryson City · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cherokee Extension School
3.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Grace Christian Academy
4.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Swain County East Elementary
Swain County East Elementary is a public elementary school in Bryson City, NC, part of Swain County Schools. Swain County East Elementary serves approximately 350 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Swain County East Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,682 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Swain County East Elementary show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.7 · Average
- District avg 5.3
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Swain County East Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
34% of students at Swain County East Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Swain County East Elementary — Students at Swain County East Elementary score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 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: 5.6/10.
How Swain County East Elementary Compares
See how Swain County East Elementary 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
4747 Ela Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swain County East Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY (rated 6.1/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bryson City, see our Bryson City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cherokee Extension School Bryson City | 3.8 mi | — |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryson City | 4.0 mi | — |
| Swain County Middle School Bryson City | 4.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Swain County High School Bryson City | 3.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 4.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 4.5 mi | 4.3 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 5.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 6.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 6.6 mi | — |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 7.2 mi | 5.0 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 12.0 mi | 4.5 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 13.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 12.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 12.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 12.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 12.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 12.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 15.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 13.1 mi | 5.5 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 17.8 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28713 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,368
Median Home Value
$231,300
Median Rent
$707/mo
Population
8,441
College Educated
25.1%
Homeownership
74.2%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
46.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Elementary Elizabeth City, NC | 5.7 |
| Fox Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 5.7 |
| Green Ridge Elementary Biscoe, NC | 5.7 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia, NC | 5.7 |
| Royal Elementary Louisburg, NC | 5.7 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Greensboro, NC | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swain County East Elementary
What grades does Swain County East Elementary serve?
Swain County East Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Swain County East Elementary?
Swain County East Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 350 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swain County East Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Swain County East Elementary is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swain County East Elementary rank in NC?
Swain County East Elementary ranks #1,682 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Swain County East Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Swain County East Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Swain County East Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Swain County East Elementary has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Swain County East Elementary a charter school?
No, Swain County East Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swain County East Elementary a Title I school?
No, Swain County East Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swain County East Elementary?
98.0% of students at Swain County East 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 350
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Swain County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.3%
- Phone
- (828) 488-0939
Resources & Links
District
Swain County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,897
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,518
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.