Average
#1599 of 2,648 schools in NC
Tuscola High
High School · Haywood County Schools
564 Tuscola School Rd, Waynesville, NC 28786
Enrollment
908
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
908
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waynesville
#7 of 8
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#192 of 579
In district
#11 of 15
Haywood County Schools
Equity
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Tuscola High
Tuscola High serves 908 students in grades 9-12 in Waynesville, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1 supported by 56 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks in the 77th percentile statewide at #625 out of 2661 North Carolina schools. Students show strong achievement in core subjects, with 67% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 61% reaching proficiency in Mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success across all academic areas. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $54,008 and median home value is $240,000. About one-third of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 14.6%, indicating a mixed socioeconomic environment that brings diverse perspectives to the student body.
Located on Tuscola School Road in Haywood County's town setting, Tuscola High operates within a community of approximately 22,000 residents. The school's position in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains region provides students with both small-town connections and access to the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities that define western North Carolina.
Score Breakdown
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Tuscola High — Students at Tuscola High score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 5.8/10.
How Tuscola High Compares
See how Tuscola High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 54% (2019) to 54.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 66.7% (2025).
Location
564 Tuscola School Rd, Waynesville, NC 28786
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Tuscola High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. (rated 7.4/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pisgah High (rated 6.7/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Canton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Central Haywood High (rated 5.3/10, 3.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Waynesville, see our Waynesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Junaluska Elementary Waynesville | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Haywood Early College Clyde | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Shining Rock Classical Academy Waynesville | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| BLUE RIDGE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesville | 2.2 mi | — |
| HAYWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waynesville | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Central Haywood High Waynesville | 3.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Clyde Elementary Clyde | 3.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Waynesville Middle Waynesville | 3.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Riverbend Elementary Clyde | 4.2 mi | 7.7 |
| ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville | 4.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Bethel Elementary Canton | 4.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Bethel Middle Waynesville | 4.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville | 4.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Jonathan Valley Elementary Waynesville | 4.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Canton Middle Canton | 6.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Pisgah High Canton | 6.2 mi | 6.7 |
| North Canton Elementary Canton | 6.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary Canton | 7.0 mi | 5.5 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 8.1 mi | — |
| Pisgah Elementary Candler | 12.4 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28786 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,047
Median Home Value
$266,800
Median Rent
$1,084/mo
Population
22,153
College Educated
31.8%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Median Age
49.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Tuscola High has a median household income of $56,047. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $266,800, with a median rent of $1,084/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairmont High Fairmont, NC | 6.0 |
| North Iredell High Olin, NC | 6.0 |
| Northeast Academy of Aerospace & AdvTech Elizabeth City, NC | 6.1 |
| Research Triangle High School Research Triangle Pk, NC | 6.1 |
| Swain County High School Bryson City, NC | 5.9 |
| Swansboro High Swansboro, NC | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tuscola High
What grades does Tuscola High serve?
Tuscola High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Tuscola High?
Tuscola High has an enrollment of approximately 908 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Tuscola High?
The student-teacher ratio at Tuscola High is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Tuscola High rank in NC?
Tuscola High is ranked #1599 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Tuscola High's MySchoolScout rating?
Tuscola High 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 Tuscola High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tuscola High has 55.0% math proficiency and 59.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Tuscola High a charter school?
No, Tuscola High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Tuscola High a Title I school?
No, Tuscola High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tuscola High?
99.7% of students at Tuscola High 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 (3,339/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waynesville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 908
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Haywood County
- Phone
- (828) 456-2408
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Haywood County Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,566
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,458
- District Rank
- #11 of 15
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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