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Highlands School

Grades KG–12 · Highlands, NC · NCES 370276001139

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545 Pierson Dr · Highlands, NC 28741

At a glance

Reported students

344

NCES CCD 2024–25

Teachers (FTE)

27.36

NCES CCD 2024–25

Student–teacher ratio

12.6:1

Calculated; not a class-size measure

Grades served

KG–12

NCES preliminary directory 2025–26

School benchmarks

North Carolina other enrollment

42nd percentile

Compared with 137 same-level schools reporting enrollment.

District median enrollment

349

Highlands School: 344 reported students.

State peer staffing position

31st percentile

12.6:1 reported; state peer median 14.5:1. Ratio is not class size.

Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22

These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.

Students
370
Teachers (FTE)
38
Student–teacher ratio
9.7:1

What the reported data says about Highlands School

Highlands School is a public combined / other school serving grades KG–12 in Highlands. It is one of 12 current school records connected to Macon County Schools. NCES reports 344 students for 2024–25.

Among 137 combined / other schools in North Carolina with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 569 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 42nd percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.

The reported student–teacher ratio is 12.6:1, below the North Carolina median of 14.5:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.

The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (66.9%) and Hispanic or Latino (31.1%). English learners represent 12.2% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 11.1%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.

The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports AP student enrollment, gifted and talented programming, computer science. The school reported 3 AP courses. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.

Questions worth asking Highlands School

  1. 1How do the reported 12.6:1 student–teacher ratio and 27.36 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
  2. 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
  3. 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
  4. 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Bring the full school visit checklist →

Enrollment needs

English learners
12.2%
Students with disabilities
11.1%
Free/reduced-price lunch
33.4%
Lunch program
Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO

Reported support staff

Counselors (FTE)
1
Nurses (FTE)
1
Psychologists (FTE)
0
Social workers (FTE)
0

CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.

Student demographics

Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment

  • White66.9%
  • Hispanic31.1%
  • Black0.3%
  • Asian0.3%
  • American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
  • Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
  • Multiracial1.2%

Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.

Programs reported by the school

AP student enrollment

Students enrolled

3 distinct courses reported

Gifted and talented

Offered

Computer science

Offered

CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.

Other schools in Macon County Schools

Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.

Nantahala School

Other · Grades KG–12

97 reported students

Macon Virtual Academy

Other · Grades KG–12

44 reported students

Cartoogechaye Elementary

Elementary · Grades PK–04

354 reported students

East Franklin Elementary

Elementary · Grades KG–04

315 reported students

Iotla Valley Elementary

Elementary · Grades PK–04

408 reported students

South Macon Elementary

Elementary · Grades PK–04

465 reported students

View all 12 district schools →