For the 2025-26 school year, there are 15 public high schools serving 10,851 students in Buncombe County, NC.
The top ranked public high 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 high schools have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Buncombe County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public high schools.
Buncombe County, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 90%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Nesbitt Discovery Academy, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Buncombe County (2025-26)
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.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
Community High School
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
235 Old Us 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-7734
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-7734
Gr: 7-12 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4123
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4123
Gr: 10-13 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
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 high schools in Buncombe County, NC?
The top ranked public high schools in Buncombe County, NC include Nesbitt Discovery Academy, Early College and School Of Inquiry And Life Sciences.
How many public high schools are located in Buncombe County?
15 public high schools are located in Buncombe County.
What is the racial composition of students in Buncombe County?
Buncombe County public high schools minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Buncombe County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Buncombe County include: School Of Inquiry And Life Sciences vs. Asheville High School, Roberson High School vs. Reynolds High School, Reynolds High School vs. Roberson High School
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