Photo: Warren LeMay · CC BY-SA 4.0Cullowhee’s public schools score below 54% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Cullowhee, 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.
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.
Cullowhee’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 141 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Cullowhee’s, its schools beat 65%, higher than their 46% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 46% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,411 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then three high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. 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.
What’s behind Cullowhee’s grade
B−: better than 46% of North Carolina school districts, #165 of 290 North Carolina towns. Graduation is above the North Carolina average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Cullowhee, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Cullowhee
Cullowhee Valley School
Grades PK–8 · 570 students · 16:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Cullowhee
Cullowhee Valley School
Grades PK–8 · 570 students · 16:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Cullowhee
Cullowhee Valley School
Grades PK–8 · 570 students · 16:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Cullowhee
Cullowhee Valley School
Grades PK–8 · 570 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Cullowhee
Cullowhee Valley School
Grades PK–8 · 570 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Cullowhee
Cullowhee Valley School
Grades PK–8 · 570 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Cullowhee
Cullowhee Valley School
Grades PK–8 · 570 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Cullowhee
Cullowhee Valley School
Grades PK–8 · 570 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Cullowhee
Cullowhee Valley School
Grades PK–8 · 570 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Cullowhee · depends on your address
Smoky Mountain High School
Grades 9–12 · 881 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Sylva
Blue Ridge Early College
Grades 7–12 · 127 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Cashiers
Jackson Co Early College
Grades 9–12 · 113 students · in Sylva
10th grade in Cullowhee · depends on your address
Smoky Mountain High School
Grades 9–12 · 881 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Sylva
Blue Ridge Early College
Grades 7–12 · 127 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Cashiers
Jackson Co Early College
Grades 9–12 · 113 students · in Sylva
Cullowhee’s public schools are run by Jackson County Schools, which also serves Dillsboro, Forest Hills, Sylva and Webster. 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.
Well below the state in reading
Cullowhee vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Cullowhee’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Cullowhee | B− | Jackson County Schools |
| Forest Hills | — | Jackson County Schools |
Every school in Cullowhee
5 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).
Questions about Cullowhee’s schools
Are Cullowhee’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Cullowhee children attend score below 54% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #165 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 65%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Cullowhee in?
Jackson County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,444 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
Where do Cullowhee kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Smoky Mountain High School, Blue Ridge Early College and Jackson Co Early College.
What is Cullowhee’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Jackson County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Cullowhee spend per student?
$14,411 in Jackson County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Cullowhee families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cullowhee → 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.