Thomas Wolfe House · Photo: Abe Ezekowitz · CC BY-SA 2.0Asheville’s public schools outscore 63% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Asheville, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Asheville’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 320 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Asheville’s, its schools beat 72%, higher than their 63% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 52% and math 53% across both districts in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Buncombe County Schools spends $13,828 per student and Asheville City Schools $17,958, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Francine Delany New School, Evergreen Community Charter, The Franklin School of Innovation, Asheville PEAK Academy, Mountain City Public Montessori, Asheville Catholic School (private), Emmanuel Lutheran School (private), Rainbow Community School (private), Temple Baptist School (private), Odyssey Community School (private), Canterbury Classical School (private), Asheville Waldorf School (private), Nativity Preschool & Kindergarten (private), Hanger Hall School (private), The New Classical Academy (private), Julia Street Montessori School (private) and Eliada Academy (private) are in town. Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Asheville’s grade
B: better than 63% of North Carolina school districts, #83 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Asheville, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Asheville · depends on your address
Koontz Intermediate
Grades 5–6 · 725 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Asheville Middle
Grades 6–8 · 670 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Valley Springs Middle
Grades 5–8 · 654 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Arden
7th grade in Asheville · depends on your address
Asheville Middle
Grades 6–8 · 670 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Valley Springs Middle
Grades 5–8 · 654 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Arden
Enka Middle
Grades 7–8 · 588 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Candler
8th grade in Asheville · depends on your address
Asheville Middle
Grades 6–8 · 670 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Valley Springs Middle
Grades 5–8 · 654 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Arden
Enka Middle
Grades 7–8 · 588 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Candler
Asheville runs its own schools through grade 12 (Buncombe County Schools). From grade PK, students attend the Asheville City Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Asheville
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Asheville vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Asheville’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville | B | Buncombe County Schools PK–12 · Asheville City Schools PK–12 |
| Woodfin | B | Buncombe County Schools |
| Biltmore Forest | B | Buncombe County Schools |
| Fletcher | B+ | Henderson County Schools |
| Mills River | B+ | Henderson County Schools |
2 of the 4 neighbors share Buncombe County Schools with Asheville for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Asheville
39 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Asheville’s schools
Are Asheville’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Asheville children attend outscore 63% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #83 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 72%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Asheville in?
Two districts: Buncombe County Schools runs grades PK–12, and Asheville City Schools runs grades PK–12.
Where do Asheville kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: Roberson High, Asheville High, Nesbitt Discovery Academy, Silsa, Early College and Center for Career Innovation.
What is Asheville’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Buncombe County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Asheville spend per student?
$13,828 in Buncombe County Schools and $17,958 in Asheville City Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Asheville?
Yes: Asheville Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 246 students), Emmanuel Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 236 students), Rainbow Community School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 207 students), Temple Baptist School (religious, grades PK–12, 182 students), Odyssey Community School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 138 students), Canterbury Classical School (religious, grades K–12, 133 students), Asheville Waldorf School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 129 students), Nativity Preschool & Kindergarten (religious, grades K, 90 students), Hanger Hall School (nonsectarian · all-girls, grades 6–8, 83 students), The New Classical Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 75 students), Julia Street Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 25 students) and Eliada Academy (special education, grades , 14 students). Asheville also has 5 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Asheville families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Asheville → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.