For the 2025 school year, there are 60 public schools serving 28,867 students in Buncombe County, NC (there are , serving 4,592 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Buncombe County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Buncombe County, NC are Nesbitt Discovery Academy, Early College and School Of Inquiry And Life Sciences. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buncombe County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Buncombe County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Buncombe County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Nesbitt Discovery Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
175 Bingham Rd Ste 10
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Gr: 9-12 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #22.
Early College
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4123
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4123
Gr: 9-13 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #33.
School Of Inquiry And Life Sciences
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
419 Mcdowell Street
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 350-2700
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 350-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #44.
Roberson High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
250 Overlook Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1765
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1765
Gr: 9-12 | 1,495 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #55.
North Buncombe High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
890 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-4221
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-4221
Gr: 9-12 | 929 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #66.
Owen High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
99 Lake Eden Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 686-3852
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 686-3852
Gr: 9-12 | 683 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #77.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1355 Charlotte Hwy
Fairview, NC 28730
(828) 628-2732
Fairview, NC 28730
(828) 628-2732
Gr: K-5 | 627 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Reynolds High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
One Rocket Drive
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 298-2500
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 298-2500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,156 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #99.
Enka High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
475 Enka Lake Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5000
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,037 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1010.
Weaverville Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
129 S Main Street
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-3127
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-3127
Gr: 2-4 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1111.
North Buncombe Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
51 N Buncombe School Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-7944
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-7944
Gr: 7-8 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1212.
Glen Arden Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
50 Pinehurst Circle
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1800
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1800
Gr: PK-4 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1313.
Evergreen Community Charter
Charter School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
50 Bell Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-2173
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-2173
Gr: K-8 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1414.
Asheville High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
419 Mcdowell Street
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 350-2500
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 350-2500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,165 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Bell Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
90 Maple Springs Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-3789
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-3789
Gr: PK-5 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Haw Creek Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10 Bethesda Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-4022
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-4022
Gr: PK-5 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1717.
West Buncombe Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
175 Erwin Hills Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4282
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4282
Gr: K-4 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1818.
North Windy Ridge Intermediate
(Math: 62% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
20 Doan Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 658-1892
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 658-1892
Gr: 5-6 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1919.
Black Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
100 Flat Creek Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-5217
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-5217
Gr: 4-5 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2020.
North Buncombe Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
251 Flat Creek Church Rd
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-6054
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-6054
Gr: PK-4 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2121.
Pisgah Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1495 Pisgah Hwy
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5023
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5023
Gr: K-4 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #2222.
Estes Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
275 Overlook Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1795
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1795
Gr: PK-4 | 790 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2323.
Erwin High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
60 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4251
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4251
Gr: 9-12 | 1,052 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2424.
The Franklin School Of Innovation
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
61 Innovation Dr
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 318-8140
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 318-8140
Gr: 5-12 | 706 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2525.
Hominy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
450 Enka Lake Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 665-0619
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 665-0619
Gr: K-4 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2626.
Artspace Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2030 Us Hwy 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 298-2787
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 298-2787
Gr: K-8 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #2727.
Montford North Star Academy
(Math: 55% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
90 Montford Ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6900
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6900
Gr: 6-8 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2828.
Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
21 Trinity Chapel Rd, Building
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 255-5102
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 255-5102
Gr: K-12 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2929.
Isaac Dickson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
125 Hill Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6800
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6800
Gr: PK-5 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #3030.
Valley Springs Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
224 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1785
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1785
Gr: 5-8 | 634 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #31 - 3331. - 33.
Claxton Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
241 Merrimon Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6500
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6500
Gr: K-5 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #31 - 3331. - 33.
Francine Delany New School
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
119 Brevard Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 236-9441
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 236-9441
Gr: K-8 | 193 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #31 - 3331. - 33.
Lucy S. Herring Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
98 Sulphur Springs Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6600
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6600
Gr: PK-5 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3434.
Ic Imagine
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
110 Champion Way
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 633-6491
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 633-6491
Gr: K-12 | 1,218 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #3535.
Black Mountain Primary
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
301 East State Street
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-2645
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-2645
Gr: PK-3 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Show 25 more public schools in Buncombe County, NC (out of 60 total schools)
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Buncombe County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Asheville Primary (Closed 2024)
Magnet School
441 Haywood Rd
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-2900
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-2900
Gr: PK-4 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Buncombe Community Sch-west Elementary School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
128 Sand Hill School Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5040
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5040
Gr: 2-8 | 59 students Minority enrollment: 14%
741 Old Us 70 Hwy
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 251-6168
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 251-6168
Gr: Inquire with school
Swannanoa Valley Youth Dev Center (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
741 Old Hwy 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 258-5888
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 258-5888
Gr: Inquire with school
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Buncombe County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Buncombe County, NC include Nesbitt Discovery Academy, Early College and School Of Inquiry And Life Sciences.
How many public schools are located in Buncombe County?
60 public schools are located in Buncombe County.
What percentage of students in Buncombe County go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Buncombe County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Buncombe County?
Buncombe County public schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Buncombe County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Buncombe County include: Montford North Star Academy vs. Asheville Middle School, Asheville Middle School vs. Montford North Star Academy, Sand Hill-venable Elementary School vs. Hominy Valley Elementary School
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