Summary:
The Swain County Schools district operates just two high schools serving grades 9–12 in the Bryson City area of North Carolina: Swain County High School and Swain Academy. The district ranks 205th out of 246 districts statewide and holds a 1-star rating. The two schools differ dramatically in size and outcomes, with Swain County High School enrolling about 536 students and Swain Academy serving just 32.
Swain County High School is clearly the stronger school and serves about 94% of the district's high school students. It ranks 408th of 662 schools statewide with a 2-star rating, and its 89.2% graduation rate essentially matches the state average of 88.8%. The school has shown steady improvement, climbing from the 24th percentile in 2023–2024 to the 38th percentile in 2025–2026. By contrast, Swain Academy ranks 648th out of 662 schools in the bottom 2% of the state with 0 stars. Its graduation rate is just 60.0%, and its EOC proficiency rates range from 8.7% to 15%, far below every district and state comparison.
Chronic absenteeism is the district's biggest systemic issue. At Swain County High School, 46.8% of students are chronically absent, roughly double the state rate of 24.2%, while Swain Academy posts a staggering 66.2%. Math I proficiency at Swain County High School is a red flag, falling from 35.2% to just 20.5% in one year. However, Math III results are a genuine bright spot, with 70.5% proficiency, above the state average of 68.9%. Both schools serve predominantly low-income families, yet Swain County High School proves that strong graduation rates and subject mastery are still possible even amid high poverty.
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