For the 2025 school year, there are 61 public schools serving 28,924 students in Buncombe County, NC (there are 37 private schools, serving 4,709 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 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 34% 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
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 379 students
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
Grades: 9-13
| 237 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 352 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,495 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 929 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 683 students
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
Grades: K-5
| 627 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,156 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,037 students
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
Grades: 2-4
| 322 students
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
Grades: 7-8
| 508 students
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
Grades: PK-4
| 471 students
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
Grades: K-8
| 437 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,165 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 204 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 394 students
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
Grades: K-4
| 578 students
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
Grades: 5-6
| 487 students
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
Grades: 4-5
| 150 students
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
Grades: PK-4
| 585 students
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
Grades: K-4
| 167 students
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
Grades: PK-4
| 790 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,052 students
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
Grades: 5-12
| 706 students
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
Grades: K-4
| 428 students
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
Grades: K-8
| 410 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 217 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 280 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 375 students
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
Grades: 5-8
| 634 students
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
Grades: K-5
| 388 students
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
Grades: K-8
| 193 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 270 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 1,218 students
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
Grades: PK-3
| 344 students
Show 26 more public schools in Buncombe County, NC (out of 61 total schools)
Loading...
Buncombe County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 2-8
| 59 students
741 Old Us 70 Hwy
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 251-6168
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 251-6168
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
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
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
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?
61 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 34% 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
Recent Articles
Teaching in Contemporary Times
We explore why individuals choose teaching, illuminating intrinsic motivations, the influence of role models, the pursuit of lifelong learning, and the aspiration to impact society.
Demystifying IEPs
Unlock the power of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in this comprehensive guide. Discover how IEPs support students with diverse needs, including behavioral challenges. This article is a must-read for parents navigating the education system and aspiring teachers seeking to make a positive impact.
December 16, 2024
Personalized Learning: Revolutionizing Education for the 21st CenturyExplore the revolutionary approach of Personalized Learning in K-12 education. This article discusses the benefits, challenges, and potential of tailoring education to individual student needs, incorporating technology and adaptive learning methods to prepare students for the 21st century.
