Jackson County Public Schools

The Jackson County Public Schools district in North Carolina consists of 9 schools, including 5 elementary schools, 4 high schools, and no middle or alternative schools. The district as a whole is ranked 171 out of 242 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating, indicating there is room for improvement in the quality of education provided.

Within the district, a few schools stand out. Jackson County Early College is a high-performing high school that ranks among the top 103 in North Carolina and has a 4-star rating. It boasts exceptional test scores, with over 89% proficiency in Biology, 100% in English II, and 96.8% in Math III. In contrast, Blue Ridge School, an elementary school, has stronger test scores than the district average but still struggles with a high free/reduced lunch rate of 79.39%. Other schools, like Smokey Mountain Elementary and Jackson Community School, face significant challenges, with low test scores and high poverty rates.

The data reveals a clear correlation between poverty and academic performance, with the schools serving the most economically disadvantaged students generally performing the worst. This raises concerns about equity and access to quality education within the Jackson County Public Schools district. Addressing these disparities and ensuring all students have the resources and support they need to succeed will be a critical priority for the district moving forward.