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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Buncombe County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 58 public schools serving 28,867 students in Buncombe County, NC (there are 38 private schools, serving 4,970 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Buncombe County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Buncombe County, NC are Nesbitt Discovery Academy, Early College and Silsa. 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 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Buncombe County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Nesbitt Discovery Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
175 Bingham Rd Ste 10
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Gr: 9-12 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #22.
Early College
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4123
Gr: 9-13 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #33.
Silsa
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
419 Mcdowell Street
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 350-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
Roberson High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
250 Overlook Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1765
Gr: 9-12 | 1,479 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #55.
North Buncombe High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
890 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-4221
Gr: 9-12 | 896 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #66.
Owen High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
99 Lake Eden Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 686-3852
Gr: 9-12 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #77.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1355 Charlotte Hwy
Fairview, NC 28730
(828) 628-2732
Gr: K-5 | 646 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #88.
Reynolds High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
One Rocket Drive
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 298-2500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,169 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #99.
Enka High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
475 Enka Lake Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,051 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1010.
Weaverville Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
129 S Main Street
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-3127
Gr: 2-4 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1111.
North Buncombe Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
51 N Buncombe School Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-7944
Gr: 7-8 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1212.
Glen Arden Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
50 Pinehurst Circle
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1800
Gr: PK-4 | 505 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1313.
Evergreen Community Charter
Charter School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
50 Bell Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-2173
Gr: K-8 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1414.
Asheville High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
419 Mcdowell Street
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 350-2500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,221 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Bell Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
90 Maple Springs Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-3789
Gr: PK-5 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Haw Creek Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
10 Bethesda Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-4022
Gr: PK-5 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1717.
West Buncombe Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
175 Erwin Hills Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4282
Gr: K-4 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1818.
North Windy Ridge Intermediate
(Math: 62% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
20 Doan Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 658-1892
Gr: 5-6 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1919.
Black Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
100 Flat Creek Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-5217
Gr: 4-5 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #2020.
North Buncombe Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
251 Flat Creek Church Rd
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-6054
Gr: PK-4 | 593 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2121.
Pisgah Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1495 Pisgah Hwy
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5023
Gr: K-4 | 162 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #2222.
Estes Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
275 Overlook Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1795
Gr: PK-4 | 754 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2323.
Erwin High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
60 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4251
Gr: 9-12 | 1,013 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2424.
The Franklin School Of Innovation
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
61 Innovation Dr
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 318-8140
Gr: 5-12 | 717 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2525.
Hominy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
450 Enka Lake Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 665-0619
Gr: K-4 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2626.
Artspace Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2030 Us Hwy 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 298-2787
Gr: K-8 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #2727.
Isaac Dickson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
125 Hill Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6800
Gr: PK-5 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2828.
Valley Springs Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
224 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1785
Gr: 5-8 | 654 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #29 - 3129. - 31.
Claxton Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
241 Merrimon Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6500
Gr: K-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #29 - 3129. - 31.
Francine Delany New School
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
119 Brevard Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 236-9441
Gr: K-8 | 193 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #29 - 3129. - 31.
Lucy S. Herring Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
98 Sulphur Springs Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6600
Gr: PK-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #3232.
Ic Imagine
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
110 Champion Way
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 633-6491
Gr: K-12 | 1,239 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #3333.
Black Mountain Primary
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
301 East State Street
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-2645
Gr: PK-3 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #3434.
Ira B Jones Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
544 Kimberly Avenue
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 350-6700
Gr: PK-5 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #3535.
Candler Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
121 Candler School Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5018
Gr: PK-4 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Show 23 more public schools in Buncombe County, NC (out of 58 total schools)
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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 Silsa.
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?
85% of all K-12 students in Buncombe County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
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 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Buncombe County are often viewed compared to one another?

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