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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Buncombe County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public preschools serving 7,387 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 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Buncombe County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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%
Rank: #1111.
Barnardsville Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
20 Hillcrest Drive
Barnardsville, NC 28709
(828) 626-2290
Gr: PK-4 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1212.
Hall Fletcher Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
60 Ridgelawn Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6400
Gr: PK-5 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1313.
Sand Hill-venable Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
154 Sand Hill School Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5028
Gr: PK-4 | 590 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1414.
Avery's Creek Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
15 Park South Boulevard
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1810
Gr: PK-4 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1515.
Leicester Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
31 Gilbert Road
Leicester, NC 28748
(828) 683-2341
Gr: PK-4 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1616.
Oakley Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
753 Fairview Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 274-7515
Gr: PK-5 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1717.
Emma Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
37 Brickyard Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4272
Gr: PK-4 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1818.
Williams Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
161 Bee Tree Road
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-3856
Gr: PK-5 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1919.
Johnston Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
230 Johnston Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4291
Gr: PK-4 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: n/an/a
Weaverville Primary
39 S Main Street
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-4275
Gr: PK-1 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%

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?
19 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 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Buncombe County are often viewed compared to one another?

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