Average
#1777 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
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,777 of 2,648
In Bryson City
#2 of 5
public schools
In district
#2 of 4
Swain County Schools
Shortlisting around Swain County Middle School?
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Swain County Middle School
Middle School in Bryson City · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cherokee Extension School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Grace Christian Academy
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Swain County Middle School
Swain County Middle School is a public middle school in Bryson City, NC, part of Swain County Schools. Swain County Middle School serves approximately 467 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Swain County Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,777 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Swain County Middle School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.5 · Average
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
Swain County Middle School 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.
32% of students at Swain County Middle School 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 Middle School — Students at Swain County Middle School score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 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: 5.3/10.
How Swain County Middle School Compares
See how Swain County Middle School 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
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. Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jackson Co Early College (rated 7.9/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Sylva), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nantahala School (rated 7.5/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Topton), 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 | 4.3 |
| Swain County High School Bryson City | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Swain County West Elementary Bryson City | 3.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 4.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 7.0 mi | 3.5 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 9.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 10.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 10.5 mi | — |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 13.6 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| Nantahala School Topton | 15.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva | 14.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 17.4 mi | 6.4 |
| TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Franklin | 17.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin | 17.7 mi | 6.8 |
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 |
|---|---|
| North Asheboro Middle Asheboro, NC | 5.5 |
| West McDowell Middle School Marion, NC | 5.5 |
| Anne Chesnutt Middle Fayetteville, NC | 5.4 |
| E B Aycock Middle Greenville, NC | 5.4 |
| East Rutherford Middle School Bostic, NC | 5.6 |
| Forest Hills Middle Wilson, NC | 5.4 |
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 ranks #1,777 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Swain County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Swain County Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Swain County Middle School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.1%
- Phone
- (828) 488-3480
Resources & Links
District
Swain County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,897
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,518
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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