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Highlands School

Q: Is Highlands School a good school?

Highlands School ranks 603 rd of 1492 North Carolina alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades K-12

603^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Alternative Schools

Better than 60% of North Carolina alternative schools

Summary

Highlands School is a K-12 public school in the mountain resort town of Highlands, North Carolina, serving 344 students across 13 grade levels as part of Macon County Schools, a two-star district ranked 131st out of 246 in the state. It operates as a traditional K-12 campus despite its "Alternative" designation from the state, and its overall profile is mixed. With only about 26 students per grade, test results can swing sharply from year to year, as a few students can move proficiency rates substantially.

Reading is a clear strength. On the latest End-of-Grade tests, the school beat Macon County Schools in every tested grade and the state in five of six grades; 8th-grade reading landed at 62.5% versus 56.1% statewide. High school End-of-Course exams also impress: Math I proficiency is 87.5% — roughly 45 points above district and state averages and 14 points above nearby Summit Charter — while Biology (75%) and English II (80%) outpace state averages by double digits. Attendance is another asset: chronic absenteeism is 13.2%, compared with 19% for Macon County Schools and 24.2% statewide, while Macon Virtual Academy's 48.5% is far higher. The student-teacher ratio is a low 12.5.

The concerns are middle school math and graduation. Elementary math starts strong — 3rd-grade proficiency of 75% tops the state — but slides to 41.7% in 7th grade and 46.9% in 8th grade, both below district and state averages. Science EOGs in 5th and 8th grades also lag despite a strong Biology EOC, and Math III trails Summit Charter. The four-year graduation rate is 83.9%, below Macon County Schools (91.2%), the state (88.8%), and Summit Charter (94.1%) — a mismatch given how well high school test-takers perform. Very small cohorts and the alternative setting may be factors. Overall, Highlands School outpaces Macon Virtual Academy on nearly everything, matches or beats Summit Charter in most high-school subjects, and has better attendance; parents should still ask about middle school math support and graduation pathways.

344

Students ?

12.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,967

Per pupil spending ?

33.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

545 Pierson Dr
Highlands, NC 28741-0940

(828) 526-2147

District: Macon County Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

66.9%

Hispanic:

31.1%

Two or more races:

1.2%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Highlands School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 71st percentile in 2023 → 75th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the North Carolina median (60th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school62%

District avg54%

North Carolina avg59%

Elementary school

603^rd of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 40%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

418^th of 778

North Carolina public middle schools ?

Bottom 46%▼ down 40 pts since 2016

From top 14% (2016) to bottom 46% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

167^th of 662

North Carolina public high schools ?

Top 25%▼ down 13 pts since 2016

From top 12% (2016) to top 25% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

131^st of 246Macon County Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	58.7	603 of 1492	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.0	671 of 1490	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.0	474 of 1505	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	72.1	373 of 1502	75.2%	★★★★☆
2022	64.6	507 of 1514	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	79.8	243 of 1489	83.7%	★★★★☆
2019	74.5	315 of 1473	78.6%	★★★★☆
2018	68.0	440 of 1434	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2017	74.1	339 of 1429	76.3%	★★★★☆
2016	56.3	614 of 1425	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2015	49.4	762 of 1440	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2014	68.9	412 of 1390	70.4%	★★★★☆
2013	70.3	350 of 1403	75.1%	★★★★☆
2012	66.1	475 of 1388	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2011	65.8	502 of 1381	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2010	61.3	594 of 1363	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2009	59.5	618 of 1354	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2008	67.9	387 of 1324	70.8%	★★★★☆
2007	70.7	329 of 1293	74.6%	★★★★☆
2006	55.9	605 of 1276	52.6%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	34.6	1002 of 1447	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	53.8	663 of 1451	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	57.5	590 of 1455	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	62.9	505 of 1459	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.3	681 of 1458	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	65.4	423 of 1440	70.6%	★★★★☆
2019	79.8	214 of 1424	85.0%	★★★★☆
2018	65.8	464 of 1405	67.0%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	47.0	533 of 981	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	51.6	451 of 961	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.5	250 of 951	73.7%	★★★★☆
2019	58.6	314 of 865	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	42.2	513 of 851	39.7%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	50.8	664 of 1434	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.8	564 of 1437	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.7	566 of 1450	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	71.6	297 of 1437	79.3%	★★★★☆
2019	83.7	114 of 1361	91.6%	★★★★★
2018	72.8	261 of 1332	80.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	70.2	394 of 1451	72.8%	★★★★☆
2025	51.3	698 of 1450	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	73.4	330 of 1464	77.5%	★★★★☆
2023	74.0	313 of 1461	78.6%	★★★★☆
2022	69.2	396 of 1464	73.0%	★★★★☆
2021	84.7	174 of 1444	88.0%	★★★★☆
2019	89.0	103 of 1430	92.8%	★★★★★
2018	66.1	451 of 1413	68.1%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	46.7	640 of 1146	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.5	742 of 1172	36.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	51.6	584 of 1166	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.9	498 of 1183	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.1	481 of 1194	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	67.1	348 of 1172	70.3%	★★★★☆
2019	64.1	412 of 1183	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	71.0	322 of 1178	72.7%	★★★★☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	47.4	418 of 778	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	39.7	474 of 773	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	62.0	273 of 793	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	80.6	136 of 784	82.7%	★★★★☆
2022	76.4	164 of 786	79.1%	★★★★☆
2021	70.6	195 of 741	73.7%	★★★★☆
2019	71.6	184 of 737	75.0%	★★★★☆
2018	78.9	123 of 691	82.2%	★★★★☆
2017	76.0	143 of 694	79.4%	★★★★☆
2016	81.6	95 of 692	86.3%	★★★★☆
2015	85.2	82 of 705	88.4%	★★★★☆
2014	85.8	67 of 627	89.3%	★★★★☆
2013	70.4	161 of 673	76.1%	★★★★☆
2012	72.5	172 of 662	74.0%	★★★★☆
2011	68.7	210 of 648	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2010	61.1	291 of 640	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2009	57.9	316 of 630	49.8%	★★☆☆☆
2008	68.2	194 of 620	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2007	75.9	103 of 606	83.0%	★★★★☆
2006	58.2	286 of 598	52.2%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	25.1	576 of 731	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	23.0	589 of 733	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	35.0	491 of 738	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	60.5	265 of 731	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	71.8	185 of 733	74.8%	★★★★☆
2021	65.3	217 of 706	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	58.5	288 of 684	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	70.4	189 of 656	71.2%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	50.5	262 of 566	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.5	138 of 553	75.0%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	49.6	343 of 725	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	28.8	571 of 743	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	81.2	81 of 735	89.0%	★★★★☆
2021	89.5	27 of 633	95.7%	★★★★★
2018	80.5	57 of 604	90.6%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	60.5	273 of 736	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.9	319 of 733	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	86.9	77 of 747	89.7%	★★★★☆
2022	72.1	172 of 748	77.0%	★★★★☆
2021	85.8	76 of 711	89.3%	★★★★☆
2019	85.5	74 of 697	89.4%	★★★★☆
2018	79.2	107 of 665	83.9%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	30.5	477 of 644	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	34.5	450 of 649	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	51.7	308 of 652	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	72.3	168 of 656	74.4%	★★★★☆
2022	70.6	177 of 658	73.1%	★★★★☆
2021	58.5	237 of 632	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	72.5	155 of 624	75.2%	★★★★☆
2018	69.9	166 of 596	72.1%	★★★★☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	73.5	167 of 662	74.8%	★★★★☆
2025	73.6	162 of 641	74.7%	★★★★☆
2024	81.7	128 of 640	80.0%	★★★★☆
2023	69.7	181 of 626	71.1%	★★★★☆
2022	76.3	145 of 621	76.7%	★★★★☆
2021	72.2	140 of 594	76.4%	★★★★☆
2019	86.1	37 of 514	92.8%	★★★★★
2018	73.1	85 of 469	81.9%	★★★★☆
2017	84.4	31 of 476	93.5%	★★★★★
2016	72.9	61 of 507	88.0%	★★★★☆
2015	80.7	38 of 531	92.8%	★★★★★
2014	72.1	61 of 451	86.5%	★★★★☆
2013	76.5	28 of 505	94.5%	★★★★★
2012	77.0	32 of 502	93.6%	★★★★★
2011	79.0	32 of 506	93.7%	★★★★★
2010	74.5	42 of 499	91.6%	★★★★★
2009	67.0	97 of 490	80.2%	★★★★☆
2008	59.7	151 of 477	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2007	49.3	231 of 453	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2006	74.4	41 of 431	90.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	45.7	333 of 610	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	82.2	118 of 602	80.4%	★★★★☆
2023	59.8	229 of 588	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	74.9	142 of 594	76.1%	★★★★☆
2021	73.5	70 of 475	85.3%	★★★★☆
2019	85.8	32 of 475	93.3%	★★★★★
2018	73.5	89 of 449	80.2%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	14.4	422 of 449	6.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	7.6	370 of 370	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2024	89.4	86 of 613	86.0%	★★★★☆
2023	25.2	464 of 597	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	36.6	217 of 432	49.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	67.2	70 of 424	83.5%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	89.9	85 of 601	85.9%	★★★★☆
2024	77.9	139 of 607	77.1%	★★★★☆
2023	79.8	132 of 602	78.1%	★★★★☆
2022	88.4	88 of 585	85.0%	★★★★☆
2021	60.8	120 of 481	75.1%	★★★★☆
2019	91.9	18 of 488	96.3%	★★★★★
2018	68.6	98 of 463	78.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	67.0	190 of 542	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	80.1	115 of 553	79.2%	★★★★☆
2023	76.4	125 of 537	76.7%	★★★★☆
2022	68.9	171 of 534	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	82.7	33 of 439	92.5%	★★★★★
2019	81.3	41 of 444	90.8%	★★★★★
2018	60.4	145 of 427	66.0%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Male (2026)73rd percentile+13 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)54th percentile-6 vs school

Hispanic (2026)46th percentile-14 vs school

White (2026)44th percentile-15 vs school

Female (2026)31st percentile-29 vs school

Middle school

Male (2026)63rd percentile+17 vs school

Hispanic (2026)54th percentile+7 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)53rd percentile+6 vs school

White (2026)26th percentile-20 vs school

Female (2026)21st percentile-25 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2024)86th percentile+6 vs school

Male (2025)86th percentile+11 vs school

White (2025)65th percentile-10 vs school

Female (2025)45th percentile-29 vs school

Hispanic (2023)6th percentile-65 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Math I88%+45 vs state

English II80%+15 vs state

Biology75%+16 vs state

Math III69%~ state avg

Science60%-8 vs state

Reading60%+4 vs state

Mathematics59%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Highlands School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				EOC Biology (2026)	EOC English II (2026)	EOC Math I (2026)	EOC Math III (2026)	EOG Mathematics (2026)						EOG Reading (2026)						EOG Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOC Biology End of Course	EOC English II End of Course	EOC Math I End of Course	EOC Math III End of Course	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highlands School	Public, Alternative	K-12	545 Pierson Dr	Highlands	28741	Macon County	Macon County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 526-2147	344	27	12.5	33.4%	230 (66.9%)	1 (0.3%)	107 (31.1%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.2%)								(n/a)	75.0	80.0	87.5	68.8	75.0	71.1	61.5	55.9	41.7	46.9	58.3	63.2	61.5	52.9	58.3	62.5	57.7	62.5	$12,967	$1,206	$11,761
Summit Charter	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	370 Mitten Lane	Cashiers	28717	Jackson County	Summit Charter	Yes	No	No	Yes	(828) 743-5755	315	23	13.7		234 (74.3%)	1 (0.3%)	65 (20.6%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.8%)								(n/a)	61.3	70.0	73.3	83.3	76.9	80.0	76.5	55.9	70.6	65.5	69.2	70.0	82.4	61.8	79.4	75.9	70.6	79.3
Macon Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	1202 Old Murphy Rd	Franklin	28734	Macon County	Macon County Schools	No	No	Yes	No	(828) 524-3314	44	0		43.2%	38 (86.4%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (11.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.3%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands School

What is the racial makeup of Highlands School?

Students at Highlands School are 67% White, 31% Hispanic, 1% Two or more races.

How many students attend Highlands School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 344 students attended Highlands School.

What district is Highlands School in?

Macon County Schools

Is Highlands School a good school?

Highlands School ranks 603^rd of 1492 North Carolina alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Highlands School!

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesNewSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresNewSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.