Below Average
#2288 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
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bryson City
#5 of 5
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,382 of 1,474
In district
#4 of 4
Swain County Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Swain County East Elementary
Swain County East Elementary is a rural public elementary school located in Bryson City, North Carolina. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 350 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.5 out of 10, placing it at the 16th percentile among North Carolina schools in terms of state ranking.
Academically, Swain County East Elementary has an average of 35% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 42% proficiency or above in Math across all grades. While the school's academic performance shows room for growth, it offers a supportive environment with dedicated teachers who are committed to fostering student development. The rural setting provides students with a close-knit community atmosphere where they can thrive both socially and personally.
Swain County East Elementary is situated in a serene area that encourages a strong sense of belonging among its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Swain County East 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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Swain County East Elementary — Students at Swain County East Elementary score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 12 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: 2.8/10.
How Swain County East Elementary Compares
See how Swain County East Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 43.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 31.6% (2025).
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. Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fairview School (rated 6.9/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Sylva), which scores notably 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 | 5.1 |
| Swain County High School Bryson City | 3.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 4.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 4.5 mi | 4.9 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 5.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 6.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 6.6 mi | — |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 7.2 mi | 6.0 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva | 12.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Catamount School Sylva | 12.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Scotts Creek School Sylva | 12.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Fairview School Sylva | 12.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 15.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva | 13.1 mi | 5.3 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Swain County East Elementary has a median household income of $56,368. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $231,300, with a median rent of $707/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Dillard Academy Goldsboro, NC | 4.6 |
| Dole Elementary Salisbury, NC | 4.6 |
| Fox Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 4.6 |
| R Brown McAllister Elementary Concord, NC | 4.6 |
| Archdale Elementary School Archdale, NC | 4.5 |
| Candor Elementary Candor, NC | 4.5 |
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 is ranked #2288 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Swain County East Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Swain County East Elementary has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Swain County East Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swain County East Elementary has 41.8% math proficiency and 34.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (2,140/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bryson City). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 488-0939
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Swain County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,897
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,518
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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