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B
Schools in Banner Elk · Avery County Schools

Banner Elk’s public schools outscore 58% of North Carolina districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Banner Elk, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
53%
▲ 3 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
55%
▲ 4 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 2–2 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.9K
▲ 22% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.0
NC 16.0 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
1,084 students on the public path
In brief

Banner Elk’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 53% and math 55% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,855 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Banner Elk’s grade

B Test scoresC+ Graduation

B: better than 58% of North Carolina school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 58%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (243)Better than 58%
B−B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 936 test results and a graduating class of 141 could put Banner Elk anywhere from B− to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Banner Elk’s students in the tested grades sat them (897 in math, 976 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Banner Elk, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Banner Elk ElementaryAvery County SchoolsA−
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressB to A−
9–12Avery County Highin NewlandB+

Banner Elk’s public schools are run by Avery County Schools, which also serves Beech Mountain, Crossnore, Elk Park and Grandfather Village and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Avery County SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 8 schools · 1,782 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 14.0 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$15,855NC $13,045 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading53%
State average 49.9% · 976 students tested
Math55%
State average 50.8% · 897 students tested

Banner Elk vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Banner Elk’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Banner ElkBAvery County Schools

Every school in Banner Elk

4 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).

District schools in Banner Elkby address
Banner Elk Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A−
159 students15:1Rate it →
Also serving Banner Elkin other towns
Cranberry Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Elk Park
A−
202 students11:1Rate it →
Avery Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Newland
B
181 students9:1Rate it →
Avery County High
High · Grades 9–12 · Newland
B+
542 students20:1Rate it →

Questions about Banner Elk’s schools

Are Banner Elk’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Banner Elk children attend outscore 58% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 58%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Banner Elk in?

Avery County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,782 students in 8 schools (2024–25).

Where do Banner Elk kids go to high school?

Avery County High in Newland, with 542 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Banner Elk’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Avery County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.

How much does Banner Elk spend per student?

$15,855 in Avery County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Banner Elk families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Banner Elk → 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.