The only school district in Jackson County had declining enrollment in the 2023-24 school year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
There were 3,357 students in Jackson County Public Schools, 1.7% lower than the year before.
The enrollment numbers in Jackson County fell short of the state’s trend, which shows an overall increase in enrollment across North Carolina.
Jackson County Public Schools has a main office in Sylva and is the only school district within Jackson County.
Despite steady enrollment, North Carolina schools continue to face significant funding challenges. The state’s per-student spending remains nearly $5,000 below the national average, limiting resources for teachers, classrooms, and student support programs. In fact, North Carolina ranks 48th out of 50 states in per-student funding (after adjusting for regional costs).
Staffing shortages have also become a growing concern, with teacher turnover rising to 11.5% in the most recent school year. Low salaries and high workloads make it difficult to retain experienced educators, potentially increasing class sizes and affecting learning quality.
| School | Total Enrollment in 2023-24 | Total Enrollment in 2022-23 | Total % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoky Mountain High School | 857 | 866 | -1% |
| Fairview Elementary School | 751 | 740 | 1.5% |
| Cullowhee Valley School | 588 | 598 | -1.7% |
| Scotts Creek Elementary School | 413 | 441 | -6.3% |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary School | 316 | 326 | -3.1% |
| Summit Charter | 296 | 286 | 3.5% |
| Blue Ridge School | 133 | 147 | -9.5% |
| Blue Ridge Early College | 132 | 128 | 3.1% |
| Jackson County Early College | 104 | 99 | 5.1% |
| Jackson Community School | 63 | 70 | -10% |
| Catamount School | 57 | 55 | 3.6% |
