Average
#2106 of 2,648 schools in NC
Swain County Middle School
Middle School · Swain County Schools
135 Arlington Ave, Bryson City, NC 28713
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bryson City
#3 of 5
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#362 of 475
In district
#3 of 4
Swain County Schools
About Swain County Middle School
Swain County Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Bryson City, North Carolina. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 467 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, Swain County Middle School provides personalized attention to each student.
There are 28 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping students succeed. According to MySchoolScout’s data, the school's overall rating is 3.8 out of 10, with a state ranking of #2124 among 2661 schools in North Carolina (20th percentile). The academic score stands at 3.7/10, and proficiency rates for ELA/Reading and Math are both around 44% for the average across grades.
Swain County Middle School is situated in a remote rural area that offers a close-knit community feel. While there's no specific neighborhood data available, Bryson City itself is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, providing students with a unique setting to learn and grow.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Swain County Middle School 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 metricsView breakdown
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Swain County Middle School — Students at Swain County Middle School score 45% proficient, which is below 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 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: 3.8/10.
How Swain County Middle School Compares
See how Swain County Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 45.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 43.3% (2025).
Location
135 Arlington Ave, Bryson City, NC 28713
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swain County Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cartoogechaye Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bryson City, see our Bryson City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cherokee Extension School Bryson City | 0.2 mi | — |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryson City | 0.2 mi | — |
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Swain County High School Bryson City | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 3.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 4.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 7.0 mi | 4.9 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 9.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 10.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 10.5 mi | — |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 13.6 mi | 8.3 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 13.8 mi | 6.2 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sylva | 13.8 mi | 4.5 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 16.3 mi | — |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 16.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Nantahala School Topton | 15.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 14.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 17.4 mi | 3.6 |
| TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Franklin | 17.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin | 17.7 mi | 8.9 |
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 Middle School 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 |
|---|---|
| Eblen Intermediate Asheville, NC | 5.0 |
| Hobbton Middle Newton Grove, NC | 5.0 |
| Northview Middle Hickory, NC | 5.0 |
| Oakwood Middle IB School Statesville, NC | 5.0 |
| Southwest Middle Jacksonville, NC | 5.0 |
| Tyro Middle Lexington, NC | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swain County Middle School
What grades does Swain County Middle School serve?
Swain County Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Swain County Middle School?
Swain County Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 467 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swain County Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Swain County Middle School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swain County Middle School rank in NC?
Swain County Middle School is ranked #2106 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Swain County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Swain County Middle School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swain County Middle School has 44.5% math proficiency and 43.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Swain County Middle School a charter school?
No, Swain County Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swain County Middle School a Title I school?
No, Swain County Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swain County Middle School?
99.4% of students at Swain County Middle 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 (2,140/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bryson City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 467
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Swain County
- Phone
- (828) 488-3480
- 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
- #3 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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