C
Below Average
50/100

Smokey Mountain Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 08 🏫 School
📍 884 US Hwy 441N, Whittier, NC 28789
Overall
C
50/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
D
2.7 grade levels below the U.S. average · 5th percentile in North Carolina
Growth
B
Students gain 0.91 grade levels a year (U.S. average 1.0) · 54th percentile
Resources
B+
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against North Carolina schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

50
Repit Score
out of 100
356
Students
enrolled
15.2:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$14K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)40%5/1002.7 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
📈 Growth (how fast students learn)45%54/100Students gain 0.91 grade levels per school year in 2022–25 (national average ≈ 1.0) and gained 1.02 in 2009–19; 48th percentile in North Carolina (recent period weighted 70%)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)15%82/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 96% students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Compared with North Carolina schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are −36 points worse than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in North Carolina. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency30% (−16 pts vs. state avg 46%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2020–21
➗ Math proficiency17% (−25 pts vs. state avg 42%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2020–21

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the North Carolina state test (2020–21), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White37%17%reading -22 pts, math -35 pts4th percentile (list)
Hispanic15%5%reading -19 pts, math -23 pts1st percentile (list)
American Indian / Alaska Native22%17%reading -2 pts, math +2 pts47th percentile (list)
Low-income22%12%reading -8 pts, math -10 pts17th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 884 US Hwy 441N
City Whittier
ZIP Code 28789
District 3702340
NCES School ID 370234002067
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 28789

Understanding the community around Smokey Mountain Elementary helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $39,754
Per Capita Income $31,730
Poverty Rate 20.3%
Households Earning $100K+ 22.2%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 21.1%
High School or Higher 78.4%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $234,000
Median Rent $1,015
Owner-Occupied 61.5%
Renter-Occupied 38.5%
View full data for ZIP 28789 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 28789 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 28789 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Smokey Mountain Elementary.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 51.1%
Female 48.9%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

White 41.6%
American Indian 27.3%
Hispanic/Latino 14.9%
Two or More Races 13.2%
Black 1.7%
Asian 1.4%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 356
Teachers (FTE) 23.5
Student:Teacher Ratio 15.2:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Smokey Mountain Elementary?
Smokey Mountain Elementary has a Repit School Score of 50 out of 100, earning a grade of C. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Smokey Mountain Elementary?
Smokey Mountain Elementary has 356 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.2:1.
What grades does Smokey Mountain Elementary serve?
Smokey Mountain Elementary serves grades Pre-K – 08 and is classified as a School. This is a public school.
How much funding does Smokey Mountain Elementary receive per student?
Smokey Mountain Elementary receives $14,416 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is around the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Smokey Mountain Elementary in 28789 ▼
Avg Home Value
$333,904
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,800
1-Year Change
+1.0%
% Renters
38.5%

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026