For the 2025 school year, there are 20 public preschools serving 7,532 students in Buncombe County, NC.
The top ranked public preschools in Buncombe County, NC are Glen Arden Elementary School, Bell Elementary School and Haw Creek Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buncombe County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Buncombe County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Buncombe County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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
Rank: #99.
Ira B Jones Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
544 Kimberly Avenue
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 350-6700
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 350-6700
Grades: PK-5
| 377 students
Rank: #1010.
Candler Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
121 Candler School Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5018
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5018
Grades: PK-4
| 365 students
Rank: #1111.
Barnardsville Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
20 Hillcrest Drive
Barnardsville, NC 28709
(828) 626-2290
Barnardsville, NC 28709
(828) 626-2290
Grades: PK-4
| 109 students
Rank: #1212.
Hall Fletcher Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
60 Ridgelawn Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6400
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6400
Grades: PK-5
| 290 students
Rank: #1313.
Asheville Primary
Magnet School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
441 Haywood Rd
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-2900
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-2900
Grades: PK-4
| 145 students
Rank: #1414.
Sand Hill-venable Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
154 Sand Hill School Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5028
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5028
Grades: PK-4
| 539 students
Rank: #1515.
Avery's Creek Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
15 Park South Boulevard
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1810
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1810
Grades: PK-4
| 565 students
Rank: #1616.
Leicester Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
31 Gilbert Road
Leicester, NC 28748
(828) 683-2341
Leicester, NC 28748
(828) 683-2341
Grades: PK-4
| 394 students
Rank: #1717.
Oakley Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
753 Fairview Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 274-7515
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 274-7515
Grades: PK-5
| 444 students
Rank: #1818.
Williams Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
161 Bee Tree Road
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-3856
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-3856
Grades: PK-5
| 465 students
Rank: #1919.
Johnston Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
230 Johnston Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4291
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4291
Grades: PK-4
| 184 students
Rank: n/an/a
39 S Main Street
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-4275
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-4275
Grades: PK-1
| 222 students
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 preschools in Buncombe County, NC?
The top ranked public preschools in Buncombe County, NC include Glen Arden Elementary School, Bell Elementary School and Haw Creek Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Buncombe County?
20 public preschools are located in Buncombe County.
What is the racial composition of students in Buncombe County?
Buncombe County public preschools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Buncombe County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Buncombe County include: Avery's Creek Elementary School vs. Glen Arden Elementary School, Asheville Primary vs. Ira B Jones Elementary School, Glen Arden Elementary School vs. Avery's Creek Elementary School
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