- Swain County High School — Grades 9–12 · 536 students
- Cherokee Extension School — Grades K–12 · 110 students
- Swain County Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 453 students
- Swain County East Elementary — Grades K–5 · 338 students
- Swain County West Elementary — Grades K–6 · 403 students
- Swain Academy — Grades 9–12 · 32 students
- Hope Middle — Grades 6–8 · 952 students
- A G Cox Middle — Grades 6–8 · 778 students
- C M Eppes Middle — Grades 6–8 · 631 students
- E B Aycock Middle — Grades 6–8 · 617 students
- Farmville Middle — Grades 6–8 · 552 students
- Wellcome Middle — Grades 6–8 · 391 students
- Ayden Middle — Grades 6–8 · 365 students
- D H Conley High — Grades 9–12 · 1,757 students
- South Central — Grades 9–12 · 1,738 students
- Junius H Rose High — Grades 9–12 · 1,568 students
- North Cherokee High — Grades 9–12 · 854 students
- Farmville Central High — Grades 9–12 · 778 students
- Ayden-Grifton High — Grades 9–12 · 757 students
- PCS Early College High School — Grades 9 · 334 students
- Innovation Early College High — Grades 9 · 227 students
- Chicod — Grades PK–8 · 902 students
- Pactolus — Grades PK–8 · 657 students
- G R Whitfield — Grades PK–8 · 560 students
- Grifton — Grades PK–8 · 395 students
- Sadie Saulter — Grades PK–8 · 300 students
- Bethel Elementary — Grades PK–8 · 232 students
- Stokes — Grades PK–8 · 218 students
- Cherokee County Virtual — Grades K–12 · 38 students
- Vidant Health — Grades PK–12 · 24 students
| Metric | Swain County Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 1,910 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 5 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 3/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swain County Schools (this district) | 3/10 | 27th | 1,910 |
| Pitt County Schools | 7/10 | 68th | 24,091 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 115 rated districts in NC → 27th percentile → 3/10.
Source: North Carolina Dept. of Public Instruction EOG, grades 3–8 Reading & Math Grade Level Proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Swain County Schools
Swain County Schools serves zip code 28719, covering Cherokee, North Carolina with grades K–12. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Funding and Resources
Public school districts in North Carolina spend approximately $10,500 per student per year on average (state-level estimate; district-level figures vary), below the national average (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 5 schools, Swain County Schools operates as a mid-sized district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 1,910 students in total. Mid-sized districts strike a balance between community-scale relationships and sufficient program breadth. Most offer core academic tracks, basic extracurricular programs, and adequate student support services.
Understanding the 3/10 Rating
Swain County Schools has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 5/10, placing it in the average tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in North Carolina’s EOG grades 3–8 Reading & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because North Carolina is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Swain County Schools earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in North Carolina. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 28719
Children in zip code 28719 are assigned to Swain County Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 28719, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Swain County Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — North Carolina districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Cherokee
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Swain County Schools serves zip code 28719, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 28719 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In North Carolina, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Swain County Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 28719.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Swain County Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 28719 data.