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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Buncombe County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 14 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 Silsa. 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 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public High 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.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
Community High School
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
235 Old Us 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-7734
Gr: 7-12 | 127 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: n/an/a
Center For Career Innovation
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4123
Gr: 9-13 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 34%

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 Silsa.
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 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Buncombe County are often viewed compared to one another?

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