Macon County Schools

The Macon County Schools district in North Carolina encompasses 12 schools, including 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 3 alternative schools. The district serves a diverse student population, with a significant Hispanic/Latino representation and a mix of high-performing and lower-performing schools.

Two standout schools in the district are Macon Early College High School, which ranks 127th out of 640 North Carolina high schools and consistently achieves high proficiency rates on state exams, and Highlands School, which outperforms the district and state averages in both elementary and middle school assessments. These high-performing schools have lower percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting a more economically advantaged student population.

In contrast, the district's alternative schools, Bartram Academy and Nantahala School, have significantly lower test scores compared to the district and state averages, indicating the need for targeted interventions and support for these specialized programs. The wide variation in test scores, free/reduced lunch rates, and spending per student across the Macon County Schools district suggests disparities in resources and opportunities that may require further examination and action to ensure equitable access to quality education for all students.