Photo: Brian Stansberry (photographer) · CC BY 4.0Mills River’s public schools outscore 66% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Mills River, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 57% of Mills River’s students scored proficient, above the North Carolina average (51%). 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.
Mills River’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 54% and math 57% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,051 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then four middle and five high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. 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.
What’s behind Mills River’s grade
B+: better than 66% of North Carolina school districts, #59 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 Mills River, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Mills River
Mills River Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 608 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Mills River · depends on your address
Mills River Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 608 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Glenn C Marlow Elementary
Grades K–5 · 562 students · 16:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Mills River · depends on your address
Mills River Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 608 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Glenn C Marlow Elementary
Grades K–5 · 562 students · 16:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Mills River · depends on your address
Mills River Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 608 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Glenn C Marlow Elementary
Grades K–5 · 562 students · 16:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Mills River · depends on your address
Mills River Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 608 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Glenn C Marlow Elementary
Grades K–5 · 562 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Mills River · depends on your address
Mills River Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 608 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Glenn C Marlow Elementary
Grades K–5 · 562 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Mills River · depends on your address
Mills River Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 608 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Glenn C Marlow Elementary
Grades K–5 · 562 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Mills River’s public schools are run by Henderson County Schools, which also serves Flat Rock, Fletcher, Hendersonville and Laurel Park. 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.
Above the state in reading
Mills River vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Mills River’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Mills River | B+ | Henderson County Schools |
| Fletcher | B+ | Henderson County Schools |
| Asheville | B | Buncombe County Schools PK–12 · Asheville City Schools PK–12 |
Every school in Mills River
11 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 Mills River’s schools
Are Mills River’s schools good?
By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Mills River children attend outscore 66% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #59 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Mills River in?
Henderson County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,619 students in 23 schools (2024–25).
Where do Mills River kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: West Henderson High, North Henderson High, East Henderson High, Hendersonville High and Henderson County Early College.
What is Mills River’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Henderson County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Mills River spend per student?
$12,051 in Henderson County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Mills River families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Mills River → 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.