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Schools in Canton · Haywood County Schools

Canton’s public schools outscore 78% of North Carolina districts

On the state math tests, 65% of Canton’s students scored proficient, above the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Canton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.

#17of 290 North Carolina townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
58%
▲ 8 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
65%
▲ 14 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 4 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.1K
▲ 0% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.8
NC 16.0 · larger classes
Schools in town
4
1,864 students on the public path
In brief

Canton’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 321 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Canton’s, its schools beat 95%, higher than their 78% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 58% and math 65% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,053 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Canton Middle, then Pisgah High. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Canton’s grade

A− Test scoresB+ Graduation

A−: better than 78% of North Carolina school districts, #17 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 78%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (321)Better than 95%
B+A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,295 test results and a graduating class of 550 could put Canton anywhere from B+ to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Canton’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,161 in math, 3,429 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Canton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB+
6–8Canton MiddleHaywood County SchoolsC+
9–12Pisgah HighHaywood County SchoolsA−

Canton’s public schools are run by Haywood County Schools, which also serves Clyde, Maggie Valley and Waynesville. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Haywood County SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 15 schools · 6,476 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 16.8 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$13,053NC $13,045 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading58%
State average 49.9% · 3429 students tested
Math65%
State average 50.8% · 3161 students tested

Canton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Canton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CantonA−Haywood County Schools

Every school in Canton

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Cantonby address
North Canton Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B+
332 students17:1Rate it →
Meadowbrook Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B+
198 students17:1Rate it →
Canton Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
475 students15:1Rate it →
Pisgah High
High · Grades 9–12
A−
859 students21:1Rate it →

Questions about Canton’s schools

Are Canton’s schools good?

By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Canton children attend outscore 78% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #17 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 95%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Canton in?

Haywood County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,476 students in 15 schools (2024–25).

Where do Canton kids go to high school?

Pisgah High, with 859 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Canton’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Haywood County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.

How much does Canton spend per student?

$13,053 in Haywood County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Canton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Canton → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.