Average
#1623 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
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bryson City
#1 of 5
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,118 of 1,474
In district
#1 of 4
Swain County Schools
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Swain County West Elementary
Swain County West Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Bryson City, North Carolina. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 419 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The setting is quite rural, situated along Highway 19 West.
The academic performance at Swain County West Elementary shows room for improvement, as indicated by the MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1794 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina (33rd percentile). In terms of proficiency rates, 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 52% achieve this level in Math. The school is working diligently to enhance its educational offerings and support student development.
Swain County West Elementary sits in a remote rural area, offering a close-knit community feel where families often know each other well.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Swain County West 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 West Elementary — Students at Swain County West Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 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: 4.7/10.
How Swain County West Elementary Compares
See how Swain County West Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 54.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 39.9% (2025).
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. Cartoogechaye Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iotla Valley Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cherokee Central Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 13.8 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 17.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Discovery Bryson City | 2.7 mi | 4.9 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bryson City | 3.2 mi | — |
| Swain County Middle School Bryson City | 3.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Cherokee Extension School Bryson City | 3.5 mi | — |
| Swain County High School Bryson City | 4.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Swain County East Elementary Bryson City | 7.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier | 9.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Iotla Valley Elementary Franklin | 11.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Nantahala School Topton | 12.4 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 8.9 |
| Cherokee Central Elementary School Cherokee | 13.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Cherokee Central High School Cherokee | 13.8 mi | — |
| East Franklin Elementary Franklin | 15.2 mi | 8.1 |
| TRIMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Franklin | 15.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Franklin High Franklin | 15.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Macon Early College High School Franklin | 16.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Mountain View Intermediate Franklin | 17.1 mi | 6.0 |
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 West 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 |
|---|---|
| Bolivia Elementary Bolivia, NC | 6.0 |
| Briarcliff Elementary Cary, NC | 6.0 |
| Bruns Avenue Elementary Charlotte, NC | 6.0 |
| Brunson Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 6.0 |
| Charles H. Parker Academic Center Charlotte, NC | 6.0 |
| Churchland Elementary Lexington, NC | 6.0 |
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 is ranked #1623 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Swain County West Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Swain County West Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 West Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swain County West Elementary has 52.0% math proficiency and 41.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 419
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Swain County
- Phone
- (828) 488-2119
- 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
- #1 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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