High Schools in Transylvania County Schools

Transylvania County Schools serves the mountain communities of western North Carolina and includes three secondary schools spanning grades 6 through 12: Brevard High, the largest with about 799 students; Rosman High, with 254 students; and Davidson River School, a specialized program with 61 students in grades 6–12. The district ranks 55th out of 246 North Carolina districts, earning a four-star rating, and its traditional high schools are strong performers despite very high economic-need profiles.

For most families, the district’s two traditional high schools are solid choices, and both outperform state averages in nearly every subject. Brevard High is the academic anchor: it ranks 181st in the state, holds the district’s best graduation rate at 93.5%, has the lowest chronic absenteeism at just 10.7%, and exceeded both district and state proficiency in all four End-of-Course subjects in 2025–2026, with especially strong Math I results (71.1% proficient, 29 points above the state). Rosman High is currently the district’s highest-ranked school at 159th in the state and posts the stronger Biology score at 84.2% proficient, along with slightly higher English II results. Brevard counteracts with higher Math I proficiency (71.1% versus Rosman’s 57.8%), while Math III is a district-wide strength at roughly 89% proficient at both schools.

Davidson River School is a different story entirely. This high-needs, alternative-style school spends the most per student ($16,825) and has the lowest student–teacher ratio at 6.7:1, yet it reports a 63.6% graduation rate, 72.8% chronic absenteeism, and very low test proficiency. Parents should interpret these figures in light of Davidson River’s specialized mission for students facing significant educational and personal barriers, rather than as a direct comparison to the traditional high schools. The broader takeaway is clear: both Brevard High and Rosman High serve nearly 99% economically disadvantaged students yet deliver above-average outcomes, demonstrating that the attending habits and academic supports in each building can make a meaningful difference.