School district or education agency · NCES 3704440

Swain County Schools

Bryson City, NC

District overview See comparisons

Students1,897

Student membership reported by NCES for 2023–24.

Schools5

operational schools · 2023–24

Students1,897

students in linked records

Latest attendance year2022–23

federal comparable series

Latest finance record$14,518

per student

District, state and country

How does this district compare?

State and national figures use the same measure and reporting period. They are weighted by students or staffing whenever the source provides a denominator.

MeasureDistrictNCUnited States

Academic standing2025

34th percentile45th percentile45th percentile

This district is 11 percentile points lower than the state figure and 11 percentile points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students chronically absent2022–23

44.8%28.7%27.8%

This district is 16.1 percentage points higher than the state figure and 17.0 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Revenue per studentFY 2023

$15,435$13,391$19,509

This district is $2,044 per student higher than the state figure and $4,074 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Spending per studentFY 2023

$14,518$12,316$15,859

This district is $2,202 per student higher than the state figure and $1,341 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Capital outlay per studentFY 2023

$874$1,359$1,964

This district is $485 per student lower than the state figure and $1,090 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Equipment spending per studentFY 2023

$354$215$336

This district is $139 per student higher than the state figure and $18 per student higher than the U.S. figure.

Special-education spending per studentFY 2023

$1,608$1,306$1,793

This district is $302 per student higher than the state figure and $185 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Salaries per studentFY 2023

$8,059$7,126$8,742

This district is $933 per student higher than the state figure and $683 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Benefits per studentFY 2023

$3,675$2,889$3,769

This district is $786 per student higher than the state figure and $94 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Debt outstanding per studentFY 2023

$1,971$5,278$11,715

This district is $3,307 per student lower than the state figure and $9,744 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Debt retired per studentFY 2023

$439$656$869

This district is $217 per student lower than the state figure and $430 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Students per teacher2023–24

14:115:115:1

This district is 1.0 students per teacher lower than the state figure and 1.0 students per teacher lower than the U.S. figure.

Students per counselor2023–24

396:1340:1376:1

This district is 56 students per counselor higher than the state figure and 20 students per counselor higher than the U.S. figure.

District staff per 1,000 students2023–24

147.8128.4138.9

This district is 19.4 staff per 1,000 students higher than the state figure and 8.9 staff per 1,000 students higher than the U.S. figure.

Instructional aides per 1,000 students2023–24

17.214.718.5

This district is 2.5 aides per 1,000 students higher than the state figure and 1.3 aides per 1,000 students lower than the U.S. figure.

School psychologists per 1,000 students2023–24

0.50.50.9

This district is about the same as the state figure and 0.4 psychologists per 1,000 students lower than the U.S. figure.

Regular diplomas among completers2023–24

100.0%99.3%99.0%

This district is 0.7 percentage points higher than the state figure and 1.0 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Annual dropouts among students in grades 9–122023–24

3.0%2.0%2.6%

This district is 1.0 percentage points higher than the state figure and 0.4 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Pre-K students as a share of enrollment2023–24

4.7%1.5%2.9%

This district is 3.2 percentage points higher than the state figure and 1.8 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students learning English2021–22 · reporting schools

1.2%8.7%12.0%

This district is 7.4 percentage points lower than the state figure and 10.8 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students receiving IDEA services2021–22 · reporting schools

18.1%11.9%14.0%

This district is 6.3 percentage points higher than the state figure and 4.1 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students with Section 504 plans2021–22 · reporting schools

1.9%1.9%3.9%

This district is about the same as the state figure and 2.0 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Teachers reported as certified2021–22 · reporting schools

94.6%92.5%95.8%

This district is 2.1 percentage points higher than the state figure and 1.2 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Enrollment change2021–22 to 2023–24

-1.1%+0.9%+0.5%

This district is 2.0 percentage points lower than the state figure and 1.6 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals2021–22 · valid district records

45.0%50.8%50.6%

This district is 5.8 percentage points lower than the state figure and 5.6 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students without disabilities2021–22 · matched enrollment

4.3%7.8%4.5%

This district is 3.5 percentage points lower than the state figure and 0.2 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students receiving IDEA services2021–22 · matched enrollment

7.4%15.6%9.0%

This district is 8.2 percentage points lower than the state figure and 1.6 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students with Section 504 plans2021–22 · matched enrollment

6.3%13.3%6.7%

This district is 7.0 percentage points lower than the state figure and 0.4 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students enrolled in district distance education2021–22 · matched enrollment

4.7%6.9%5.1%

This district is 2.2 percentage points lower than the state figure and 0.4 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

School-age children in poverty2024 Census estimate

14.5%15.6%14.4%

This district is 1.1 percentage points lower than the state figure and 0.1 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Enrollment · 2023–24

Who attends this district?

Pre-K90 students

4.7%

Kindergarten–grade 5808 students

42.6%

Grades 6–8401 students

21.1%

Grades 9–12598 students

31.5%

See enrollment for every grade

Pre-Kindergarten90

Kindergarten151

Grade 1136

Grade 2126

Grade 3132

Grade 4129

Grade 5134

Grade 6121

Grade 7140

Grade 8140

Grade 9160

Grade 10169

Grade 11157

Grade 12112

Students by race and ethnicity

White1,210 (63.8%)

American Indian or Alaska Native329 (17.3%)

Two or more races196 (10.3%)

Hispanic/Latino140 (7.4%)

Asian13 (0.7%)

Black or African American8 (0.4%)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander1 (0.1%)

Final NCES Common Core of Data membership file, 2023–24. Suppressed or missing cells are not estimated.

Early learning · 2023–24

How much public pre-K is reported?

90Students enrolled in pre-K

6Pre-K teachers, full-time equivalent

15.0:1Reported pre-K students per pre-K teacher

Pre-K students as a share of district enrollment

District4.7%

NC1.5%

United States2.9%

Final NCES Common Core of Data membership and staff files, 2023–24. Enrollment shows children attending district-run public pre-K. It does not show open seats, waitlists, private providers, program hours, eligibility or the cost to families.

Current staffing · 2023–24

How many staff members support students?

280.4All district staff, full-time equivalent

132.9Teachers, full-time equivalent

4.8School counselors, full-time equivalent

1School psychologists, full-time equivalent

32.7Instructional aides, full-time equivalent

1Librarians and media specialists, full-time equivalent

6.8School administrators, full-time equivalent

19.2Student support staff, full-time equivalent

See detailed staffing

Pre-K teachers6 FTE

Kindergarten teachers10 FTE

Elementary teachers74.5 FTE

Secondary teachers41.4 FTE

Ungraded teachers1 FTE

Elementary school counselors2.4 FTE

Secondary school counselors1.9 FTE

Instructional coordinators3.9 FTE

District administrators7.7 FTE

District administrative support8.2 FTE

School administrative support8.6 FTE

Library and media support1.6 FTE

Other support staff52.1 FTE

Final NCES Common Core of Data staff file, 2023–24. These are full-time-equivalent positions, not employee headcounts, vacancies or caseloads.

High-school outcomes · 2023–24

How many students completed school or dropped out?

109Total completers

109Regular diplomas

18Reported dropouts, grades 9–12

Regular diplomas among completers

District100.0%

NC99.3%

United States99.0%

Annual dropouts among students in grades 9–12

District3.0%

NC2.0%

United States2.6%

Final NCES Common Core of Data completer and dropout files, 2023–24. The dropout rate divides the reported annual grades 9–12 dropout count by complete grades 9–12 enrollment. It is not a cohort graduation rate. The diploma share describes credentials among completers and should not be read as a graduation rate.

Graduation · 2022–23

How many students graduated within four years?

Loading the district's official graduation record…

Learning support · 2021–22 federal snapshot

How many students may need specialized support?

Counts and shares use only schools with a usable value for that measure. The reporting-school denominator prevents missing schools from being counted as zero.

1.2%Students learning English21 students · 4 of 4 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District1.2%

NC8.7%

U.S.12.0%

18.1%Students receiving IDEA special-education services309 students · 4 of 4 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District18.1%

NC11.9%

U.S.14.0%

1.9%Students with Section 504 plans32 students · 4 of 4 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District1.9%

NC1.9%

U.S.3.9%

0.3%English learners also receiving IDEA services5 students · 4 of 4 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District0.3%

NC1.3%

U.S.1.7%

U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021–22. Public-use counts are privacy-protected. These figures describe the reporting year, not current enrollment, diagnoses, service quality or unmet need.

Teacher quality and early learning · 2021–22

What did the district report about teachers and preschool?

94.6%Teachers reported as certified

104Children ages 3–5 in district preschool

Teacher certification comparison

District94.6%

NC92.5%

United States95.8%

U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021–22. Certification status is district-reported and may not match current staffing. Preschool counts cover the federal reporting year and are not a measure of available seats.

Community context · 2024

How many school-age children live in poverty?

This Census estimate provides context about families in the district. It does not measure school quality or describe every student enrolled in the district.

1,319children ages 5 to 17

191estimated to live in families below the poverty line

14.5%about 1 in 7 school-age children

District14.5%

NC15.6%

United States14.4%

U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. The estimate covers related children ages 5 to 17 in families in poverty and uses 2024–25 district boundaries.

District geography · 2024–25

What area does this district cover?

NCES publishes a geographic boundary for traditional school districts. Charter agencies and some special-purpose agencies may not have one.

Loading the official district boundary…

Source: NCES EDGE School District Boundaries, school year 2024–25.

Comparable districts

Districts serving a similar student population

These peers are matched using enrollment and available student population measures. Districts in NC receive geographic preference, but a closer national match may appear when it is more comparable. Open any profile for a full comparison.

Pine Lake PreparatoryMooresville, NC1,885 studentsSimilar enrollment, English-learner enrollment, special-education enrollment · View profile →Piedmont Community CharterGastonia, NC1,940 studentsSimilar enrollment, English-learner enrollment, special-education enrollment · View profile →Avery County SchoolsNewland, NC1,856 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →Camden County SchoolsCamden, NC1,953 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →Edenton-Chowan SchoolsTyner, NC1,833 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →

Academic results · 2025

How do results differ among student groups?

Students not economically disadvantaged589 assessments

43 out of 100

White students915 assessments

37 out of 100

Mal801 assessments

34 out of 100

Fem684 assessments

32 out of 100

Economically disadvantaged students896 assessments

28 out of 100

Hispanic students46 assessments

16 out of 100

A score of 50 marks the national 2019 midpoint. Higher numbers indicate stronger results on the comparable Stanford research scale. This is not a state proficiency rate.

District makeup

What kinds of schools are in the district?

1Other schools

2Elementary schools

1High schools

1Middle schools

5Rural setting

School levels, settings and types use the NCES 2021–22 directory matched to the federal civil-rights collection.

District finances

How is the district funded, and how does it spend?

Sources of funds

Where the money comes from

Share of district revenue supplied by each level of government.

25.8%Federal

63.4%State

10.8%Local

Uses of funds

Where the money goes

Annual spending for each enrolled student.

$14,518Total current spending per student

$8,514Instruction per student

$4,997Support services per student

Revenue by source: percentages and dollars

$7.6MFederal revenue25.8% of total revenue

$18.7MState revenue63.4% of total revenue

$3.2MLocal revenue10.8% of total revenue

How operating money was used

$8,514Instructionper student

$4,997Student and instructional supportper student

$1,608Special educationper student

$1,385Building operations and maintenanceper student

$576Student transportationper student

$1,007Food servicesper student

$356Technologyper student

People costs

$15.4MSalaries$8,059 per student

$7MEmployee benefits$3,675 per student

Equipment, buildings and debt

$676KEquipmentFY 2023

$1.7MCapital outlay$874 per student

$946KConstructionincluded in capital outlay

$3.8MDebt outstanding at year end$1,971 per student

$0New debt issuedFY 2023

$839KDebt principal retiredFY 2023

$113KInterest paid on debtFY 2023

Selected federal program revenue

$622KTitle I$326 per student

$503KIDEA special education$263 per student

$35KCareer and technical education$18 per student

$1.1MChild nutrition$590 per student

What changed since FY 2022

Operating spending per student

FY 2022$14,269

FY 2023$14,518

Capital spending per student

FY 2022$651

FY 2023$874

Debt outstanding per student

FY 2022$2,399

FY 2023$1,971

Revenue shares and spending categories answer different questions and should not be added together. Source: NCES F-33 district finance, FY 2023.

Attendance

How has chronic absence changed?

2020–2121.2%

394 of 1,858 students

2021–2248.8%

900 of 1,844 students

2022–2344.8%

811 of 1,812 students

Specialized support and security · 2021–22

What specialized roles were reported?

4Sworn law-enforcement officer FTE4 reporting schools

0Security staff FTE4 reporting schools

Staffing is reported as full-time equivalents in the 2021–22 CRDC collection.

Learning opportunities

What do district schools offer?

Algebra I1 reporting schools

Calculus1 reporting schools

Biology1 reporting schools

Chemistry1 reporting schools

Physics1 reporting schools

Computer science1 reporting schools

Advanced Placement1 reporting schools

Dual enrollment1 reporting schools

Gifted programs4 reporting schools

International Baccalaureate1 reporting schools

Athletics1 reporting schools

Shares use only schools for which the program was applicable and reported. A districtwide percentage does not guarantee availability at every grade or campus. Source: 2021–22 CRDC.

Safety and discipline

What was reported across district schools?

81Out-of-school suspensions4 reporting schoolsSee schools →159In-school suspensions4 reporting schoolsSee schools →9Law-enforcement referrals4 reporting schoolsSee schools →0School-related arrests4 reporting schoolsSee schools →

Counts are from the 2021–22 CRDC collection. Open a measure to see the schools behind the district total.

Technology and safety · 2021–22

What access and incident data is available?

100%Schools reporting Wi-Fi4 reporting schools

100%Schools reporting fiber4 reporting schools

1Student devices reported4 reporting schools

0Weapon-possession reports4 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Threats involving a weapon4 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Threats without a weapon4 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Attacks involving a weapon4 reporting schoolsSee schools →45Attacks without a weapon4 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Firearm incidents4 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Robberies without a weapon4 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Robberies involving a weapon4 reporting schoolsSee schools →0Homicide incidents4 reporting schoolsSee schools →

Technology and incident figures are from the 2021–22 CRDC collection. Device counts describe the reporting year, not current inventory.

Six questions parents ask

What the available data says

Each answer shows its reporting year and opens a deeper comparison. Missing and suppressed results are never shown as zero.

Are students making academic progress?5 years of resultsLatest research estimate: 2025Explore and compare →Are students missing too much school?44.8% chronically absent2022–23 · 1,812 students measuredExplore and compare →Is the district improving?Declined overallCompare the earliest and latest available yearsExplore and compare →Where are student-group gaps largest?6 student groups2025 research estimatesExplore and compare →How much does the district spend?$14,518current spending per studentExplore and compare →Does the district have enough support staff?396:1 counselor ratioStudents per counselor in the 2023–24 federal staffing fileExplore and compare →

Data status

8 of 8 national data layers are matched to this NCES district ID. Identity and school counts use NCES records. Academic estimates use SEDA, attendance uses EDFacts, finance uses NCES F-33, staffing and enrollment use 2023–24 NCES CCD where available, teacher certification, preschool and policy fields use the 2021–22 CRDC, and community poverty context uses Census SAIPE. Four-year graduation rates use 2022–23 EDFacts. Every detailed view preserves its reporting year.

See all sources →