Highlands: Schools & Education
Education in Highlands: 1 public school. Highlands School is the largest at 332 students (grades 0-12). Total enrollment: 332 students.
- ~1,074 residents per school (vs North Carolina ~592).
K-12 Schools
1 K-12 schools serving the area — about 1,074 residents per school. 57.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S. average ~35%).
Schools (1)
| Daycare Preschool · Total count | 1 |
|---|---|
| School Districts · Districts | Macon County Schools |
| School Districts · Total count | 1 |
| School Statistics · Total Schools | 1 |
| School Statistics · Total Enrollment | 332 |
| School Statistics · Total Teachers | 34 |
| School Statistics · Student Teacher Ratio | 9.80 |
| School Statistics · Free Lunch Students | 124 |
| School Statistics · Free Lunch Pct | 37.3% |
| Schools Count | 1 |
Sources: IRS BMF keyword search · NCES LEA assignment from schools in this city · NCES CCD 2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Higher Education
Colleges and universities within commuting range, plus IPEDS scorecard data on enrollment, completion, and net price.
| Colleges · Nearest | Western Carolina University |
|---|---|
| Colleges · Nearest Distance Miles | 18.1 mi |
| Nearest College · Name | Western Carolina University |
| Nearest College · City | Cullowhee |
| Nearest College · Phone | (828) 227-7100 |
| Nearest College · Distance | 18.1 mi |
Sources: NCES IPEDS 2022 — no colleges within 3 miles · NCES IPEDS 2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Early Childhood
Daycare and preschool capacity. Federal child-care data is sparse — counts reflect state-licensed providers only.
| Childcare Centers · County total | 4 |
|---|
Sources: HIFLD / IRS BMF
Libraries
Public libraries from IMLS Public Libraries Survey — visits, circulation, and service-area population.
| Nearest Library · Name | Hudson Library |
|---|---|
| Nearest Library · Address | 554 Main St |
| Nearest Library · Phone | (828) 526-3031 |
| Nearest Library · Zip | 28741 |
| Nearest Library · Hours Per Year | 1798 |
| Nearest Library · Total Libraries In City | 1 |
Sources: IMLS PLS — state+city name match
Other
Libraries (1)
| Education Nonprofits · Total count | 7 |
|---|---|
| Pct Bachelors Plus | 57.8% |
Sources: IRS BMF NTEE B · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12