Transylvania County Schools serves approximately 3,400 students across nine schools in the mountains of Western North Carolina. TCS is the largest employer in Transylvania County and is guided by its motto: "Building a Stronger Tomorrow... Today!"

Our Vision

TCS is committed to cultivating resilient, future-ready students by fostering a safe, supportive, and innovative learning environment for every student, in every school, every day. That vision shapes the district's approach to curriculum, instruction, and facility planning, and it's reflected in recent academic results.

Academic Excellence

During the 2025-2026 school year, TCS moved from #32 to #14 out of 115 school systems across North Carolina in overall proficiency, the district's highest proficiency level since 2015. Every school in the district met or exceeded growth expectations.

TCS leads Western North Carolina in several categories:

#1 for proficiency among students with disabilities

#1 for proficiency among economically disadvantaged students

#2 overall proficiency in WNC

#1 for 8th grade EOG proficiency

#1 for 4th grade math and Math 3

#1 for 8th grade science and high school biology

90.6% graduation rate, above the state average of 88.8%

These results reflect the work of teachers, principals, families, and students across the district. TCS considers a ranking one measure of progress, not the whole picture, and remains focused on continued growth.

TCS has also been recognized externally for the quality of its schools. The 2026 Niche rankings placed the district #2 in North Carolina for Best Teachers and #8 for Best Places to Teach, out of 115 districts statewide.

Preparing Students for What's Next

TCS ranks #1 among all North Carolina public school districts for career and technical education credential attainment, with 89% of eligible students earning an industry credential before graduation.

The district also ranks #3 in the Western Region for college readiness, with 66.1% of students meeting ACT benchmarks, placing TCS in the top 13.43% of traditional districts statewide.

Leading for the Future

Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Lisa Fletcher, TCS is carrying out its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, built around three priorities:

Academic Excellence: Meeting and exceeding growth targets in reading and math.

Workforce Preparedness: Expanding STEM and CTE learning opportunities starting as early as third grade.

Safety and Environment: Maintaining safe, modern learning environments through updated safety measures and long-term facility planning.

[View the full TCS 2025-2030 Strategic Plan]

Excellent Schools, Exceptional Growth

The figures, drawn from NCDPI reports for the 2025-2026 school year, reflect academic gains across every grade level in the district. TCS also posted top growth rankings in Western North Carolina: Pisgah Forest Elementary ranked #3 among elementary schools, Brevard Middle School ranked #3 among middle schools, and Brevard High School ranked #8 among high schools.