Average
#2019 of 2,648 schools in NC
Swain County West Elementary
Elementary School · Swain County Schools
4142 Hwy 19 West, Bryson City, NC 28713
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,019 of 2,648
In Bryson City
#4 of 5
public schools
In district
#4 of 4
Swain County Schools
Shortlisting around Swain County West 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 West Elementary
Elementary School in Bryson City · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mountain Discovery
2.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Grace Christian Academy
3.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Swain County West Elementary
Swain County West Elementary is a public elementary school in Bryson City, NC, part of Swain County Schools. Swain County West Elementary serves approximately 419 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Swain County West Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,019 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Swain County West Elementary show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.0 · Average
- District avg 5.3
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Swain County West 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.
41% of students at Swain County West 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 West Elementary — Students at Swain County West Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
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: 3.9/10.
How Swain County West Elementary Compares
See how Swain County West 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
4142 Hwy 19 West, Bryson City, NC 28713
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swain County West Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.0/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bryson City, see our Bryson City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 2.7 mi | 4.3 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryson City | 3.2 mi | — |
| Swain County Middle School Bryson City | 3.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Cherokee Extension School Bryson City | 3.5 mi | — |
| Swain County High School Bryson City | 4.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 7.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 9.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 11.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Nantahala School Topton | 12.4 mi | 7.5 |
| NEW KITUWAH ACADEMY Cherokee | 12.7 mi | 6.1 |
| MACON MULTI-PURPOSE JUVENILE HOME Franklin | 14.8 mi | — |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylva | 13.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin | 15.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 13.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 13.8 mi | — |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 15.2 mi | 6.3 |
| TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Franklin | 15.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 15.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Macon Early College High School Franklin | 16.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Mountain View Intermediate Franklin | 17.1 mi | 6.7 |
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 |
|---|---|
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw, NC | 5.0 |
| Central Elementary Jackson, NC | 5.0 |
| Cooper Academy Clayton, NC | 5.0 |
| Dudley Shoals Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 5.0 |
| Durant Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 5.0 |
| Hawk Eye Elementary Red Springs, NC | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swain County West Elementary
What grades does Swain County West Elementary serve?
Swain County West Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Swain County West Elementary?
Swain County West Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 419 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swain County West Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Swain County West Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swain County West Elementary rank in NC?
Swain County West Elementary ranks #2,019 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Swain County West Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Swain County West Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 West Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Swain County West Elementary has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Swain County West Elementary a charter school?
No, Swain County West Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swain County West Elementary a Title I school?
No, Swain County West Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swain County West Elementary?
99.3% of students at Swain County West 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
- 419
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Swain County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.1%
- Phone
- (828) 488-2119
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
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.