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Downtown West Jefferson on a September morningPhoto: Bonita L. Harless · CC BY-SA 4.0
B+
Schools in West Jefferson · Ashe County Schools

West Jefferson’s public schools outscore 74% of North Carolina districts

Math proficiency in West Jefferson’s districts is 65%, above the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving West Jefferson, 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.

K–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
88%
▲ 2 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.5K
▲ 19% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.7
NC 16.0 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
1,619 students on the public path
In brief

West Jefferson’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 282 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of West Jefferson’s, its schools beat 95%, higher than their 74% 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; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,471 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Ashe County Middle, then Ashe County High. Enrollment is down 7% 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 West Jefferson’s grade

A− Test scoresB Graduation

B+: better than 74% of North Carolina school districts. 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 74%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (282)Better than 95%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,418 test results and a graduating class of 230 could put West Jefferson anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of West Jefferson’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,384 in math, 1,453 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–6Westwood ElementaryAshe County SchoolsB
7–8Ashe County Middlein WarrensvilleA−
9–12Ashe County HighAshe County SchoolsB+

West Jefferson’s public schools are run by Ashe County Schools, which also serves Jefferson and Lansing. 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.

Ashe County SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 6 schools · 2,676 students, down 7% since 2020–21 · 14.7 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$15,471NC $13,045 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading58%
State average 49.9% · 1453 students tested
Math65%
State average 50.8% · 1384 students tested

West Jefferson vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
West JeffersonB+Ashe County Schools
JeffersonB+Ashe County Schools

Every school in West Jefferson

3 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 West Jeffersonby address
Westwood Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
B
451 students14:1Rate it →
Ashe County High
High · Grades 9–12
B+
767 students19:1Rate it →
Also serving West Jeffersonin other towns
Ashe County Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Warrensville
A−
401 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about West Jefferson’s schools

Are West Jefferson’s schools good?

By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools West Jefferson children attend outscore 74% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 95%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is West Jefferson in?

Ashe County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,676 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do West Jefferson kids go to high school?

Ashe County High, with 767 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is West Jefferson’s graduation rate?

88% of the class of 2023 in Ashe County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.

How much does West Jefferson spend per student?

$15,471 in Ashe County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What West Jefferson families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near West Jefferson → 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.