Asheville Reporter

There were 7,029 students enrolled in Haywood County schools in the 2023-24 school year, 3.8% more than the previous year, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Tuscola High School registered the highest enrollment among Haywood County's 16 schools in the 2023-24 school year, welcoming 892 students.

Despite steady enrollment, North Carolina schools continue to face significant funding challenges. The state's per-student spending remains nearly $5,000 below the national average, limiting resources for teachers, classrooms, and student support programs. In fact, North Carolina ranks 48th out of 50 states in per-student funding (after adjusting for regional costs).

Staffing shortages have also become a growing concern, with teacher turnover rising to 11.5% in the most recent school year. Low salaries and high workloads make it difficult to retain experienced educators, potentially increasing class sizes and affecting learning quality.

School name	Total Enrollment in 2022-23	Total Enrollment in 2023-24	% Change
Tuscola High School	890	892	0.2%
Pisgah High School	892	869	-2.6%
Waynesville Middle School	720	709	-1.5%
Shining Rock Classical Academy	581	606	4.3%
Bethel Elementary School	524	532	1.5%
Clyde Elementary School	515	510	-1%
Canton Middle School	453	489	7.9%
Hazelwood Elementary School	479	483	0.8%
Junaluska Elementary School	443	425	-4.1%
Jonathan Valley Elementary School	348	328	-5.7%
North Canton Elementary School	307	309	0.7%
Bethel Middle School	-	245	-
Riverbend Elementary School	182	200	9.9%
Meadowbrook Elementary School	198	189	-4.5%
Haywood Early College	173	182	5.2%
Central Haywood High School	69	61	-11.6%