Photo: Harrison Keely · CC BY 4.0Sylva’s public schools score below 54% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Sylva, 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.
Sylva’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 256 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Sylva’s, its schools beat 58%, 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 ↓
Five elementary schools, then three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. 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 Sylva’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 Sylva, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Sylva · depends on your address
Smoky Mountain High School
Grades 9–12 · 881 students · 21:1 students per teacher
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
10th grade in Sylva · depends on your address
Smoky Mountain High School
Grades 9–12 · 881 students · 21:1 students per teacher
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
Sylva’s public schools are run by Jackson County Schools, which also serves Dillsboro, Forest Hills 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
Sylva vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Sylva’s borders.
Every school in Sylva
8 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 Sylva’s schools
Are Sylva’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Sylva 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 58%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Sylva in?
Jackson County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,444 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
Where do Sylva 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 Sylva’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 Sylva 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 Sylva families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sylva → 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.