Top Rankings
Avery County Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 1,871 students in Avery County Schools School District. This district's average testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
Public Schools in Avery County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
9 Schools
2,764 Schools
# Students
1,871 Students
1,547,014 Students
# Teachers
150 Teachers
100,085 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Avery County Schools School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 87% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#123 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)55%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
53%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
69%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)85-89%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.31
0.71
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
15%
21%
% Black
n/a
25%
% White
82%
43%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,801 is higher than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,482 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$37 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$37 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,801
$11,187
Spending / Student
$19,482
$11,612
Best Avery County Schools School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Banner Elk Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
155 Orchard Lane
Banner Elk, NC 28604
(828) 737-5700
Banner Elk, NC 28604
(828) 737-5700
Gr: PK-5 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Avery County High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
401 Avery County High School R
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 733-0151
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 733-0151
Gr: 9-12 | 594 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Crossnore Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1000 Walt Clark Road
Crossnore, NC 28616
(828) 737-7204
Crossnore, NC 28616
(828) 737-7204
Gr: PK-5 | 180 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Freedom Trail Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6110 North Us Hwy 19e
Elk Park, NC 28622
(828) 733-2932
Elk Park, NC 28622
(828) 733-2932
Gr: PK-5 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #55.
Cranberry Middle School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6230 North Us Highway 19e
Elk Park, NC 28622
(828) 733-2932
Elk Park, NC 28622
(828) 733-2932
Gr: 6-8 | 184 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
Blue Ridge High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
76 Old Montezuma Rd
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 737-5800
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 737-5800
Gr: 6-12 | 15 students Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #77.
Newland Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
750 Linville Street
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 733-4911
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 733-4911
Gr: PK-5 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #88.
Avery Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
102 Old Montezuma Road
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 733-0145
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 733-0145
Gr: 6-8 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #99.
Riverside Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
8020 Us 19e Hwy South
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 737-5600
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 737-5600
Gr: PK-5 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Avery County Schools School District?
Avery County Schools School District manages 9 public schools serving 1,871 students.
What is the rank of Avery County Schools School District?
Avery County Schools School District is ranked #119 out of 320 school districts in North Carolina (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%) and Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Avery County Schools School District?
82% of Avery County Schools School District students are White, 15% of students are Hispanic, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Avery County Schools School District?
Avery County Schools School District has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What is Avery County Schools School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $19,482 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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