Top Rankings
Avery County Schools 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 2026 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 1,782 students in Avery County Schools. 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 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 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
8 Schools
2,734 Schools
# Students
1,782 Students
1,549,621 Students
# Teachers
127 Teachers
96,132 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Avery County Schools, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 314 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
0.33
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
5%
% Hispanic
17%
22%
% Black
1%
24%
% White
80%
42%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $20,790 is higher than the state median of $11,168. The school district revenue/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,455 is higher than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$37 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$37 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$20,790
$11,168
Spending / Student
$20,455
$11,592
Best Avery County Schools Public Schools (2026)
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 | 159 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
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 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
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 | 184 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
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 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
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 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
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 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
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 | 181 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #88.
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 | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Avery County Schools?
Avery County Schools manages 8 public schools serving 1,782 students.
What is the rank of Avery County Schools?
Avery County Schools is ranked #120 out of 314 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?
80% of Avery County Schools students are White, 17% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Avery County Schools?
Avery County Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 16:1.
What is Avery County Schools's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $20,455 is higher than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
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