For the 2026 school year, there are 44 public elementary schools serving 18,559 students in Buncombe County, NC.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Buncombe County, NC are Fairview Elementary School, Weaverville Elementary School and Glen Arden Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buncombe County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Buncombe County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Buncombe County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1355 Charlotte Hwy
Fairview, NC 28730
(828) 628-2732
Fairview, NC 28730
(828) 628-2732
Gr: K-5 | 646 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Weaverville Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
129 S Main Street
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-3127
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-3127
Gr: 2-4 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #33.
Glen Arden Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
50 Pinehurst Circle
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1800
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1800
Gr: PK-4 | 505 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #44.
Evergreen Community Charter
Charter School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
50 Bell Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-2173
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-2173
Gr: K-8 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Bell Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
90 Maple Springs Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-3789
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-3789
Gr: PK-5 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Haw Creek Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10 Bethesda Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-4022
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-4022
Gr: PK-5 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #77.
West Buncombe Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
175 Erwin Hills Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4282
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4282
Gr: K-4 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #88.
North Windy Ridge Intermediate
(Math: 62% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
20 Doan Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 658-1892
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 658-1892
Gr: 5-6 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #99.
Black Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
100 Flat Creek Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-5217
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-5217
Gr: 4-5 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1010.
North Buncombe Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
251 Flat Creek Church Rd
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-6054
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-6054
Gr: PK-4 | 593 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1111.
Pisgah Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1495 Pisgah Hwy
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5023
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5023
Gr: K-4 | 162 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1212.
Estes Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
275 Overlook Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1795
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1795
Gr: PK-4 | 754 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1313.
The Franklin School Of Innovation
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
61 Innovation Dr
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 318-8140
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 318-8140
Gr: 5-12 | 717 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1414.
Hominy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
450 Enka Lake Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 665-0619
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 665-0619
Gr: K-4 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1515.
Artspace Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2030 Us Hwy 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 298-2787
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 298-2787
Gr: K-8 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1616.
Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
21 Trinity Chapel Rd, Building
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 255-5102
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 255-5102
Gr: K-12 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1717.
Isaac Dickson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
125 Hill Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6800
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6800
Gr: PK-5 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1818.
Valley Springs Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
224 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1785
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1785
Gr: 5-8 | 654 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #19 - 2119. - 21.
Claxton Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
241 Merrimon Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6500
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6500
Gr: K-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #19 - 2119. - 21.
Francine Delany New School
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
119 Brevard Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 236-9441
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 236-9441
Gr: K-8 | 193 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #19 - 2119. - 21.
Lucy S. Herring Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
98 Sulphur Springs Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6600
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6600
Gr: PK-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2222.
Ic Imagine
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
110 Champion Way
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 633-6491
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 633-6491
Gr: K-12 | 1,239 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #2323.
Black Mountain Primary
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
301 East State Street
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-2645
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-2645
Gr: PK-3 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2424.
Ira B Jones Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
544 Kimberly Avenue
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 350-6700
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 350-6700
Gr: PK-5 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2525.
Candler Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
121 Candler School Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5018
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5018
Gr: PK-4 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2626.
Barnardsville Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
20 Hillcrest Drive
Barnardsville, NC 28709
(828) 626-2290
Barnardsville, NC 28709
(828) 626-2290
Gr: PK-4 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #2727.
Asheville Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
211 S French Broad Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6200
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6200
Gr: 6-8 | 670 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2828.
Enka Intermediate
(Math: 53% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
125 Asheville Commerce Parkway
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 255-1380
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 255-1380
Gr: 5-6 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2929.
Koontz Intermediate
(Math: 48% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
305 Overlook Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 684-1295
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 684-1295
Gr: 5-6 | 725 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #3030.
Hall Fletcher Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
60 Ridgelawn Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6400
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6400
Gr: PK-5 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #3131.
Sand Hill-venable Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
154 Sand Hill School Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5028
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5028
Gr: PK-4 | 590 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #3232.
Avery's Creek Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
15 Park South Boulevard
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1810
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1810
Gr: PK-4 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #3333.
Leicester Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
31 Gilbert Road
Leicester, NC 28748
(828) 683-2341
Leicester, NC 28748
(828) 683-2341
Gr: PK-4 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #3434.
Reynolds Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2 Rocket Drive
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 298-7484
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 298-7484
Gr: 6-8 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #3535.
Owen Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
730 Old Us 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-7739
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-7739
Gr: 6-8 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Buncombe County, NC?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Buncombe County, NC include Fairview Elementary School, Weaverville Elementary School and Glen Arden Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Buncombe County?
45 public elementary schools are located in Buncombe County.
What is the racial composition of students in Buncombe County?
Buncombe County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Buncombe County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Buncombe County include: Enka Intermediate vs. The Franklin School Of Innovation, Avery's Creek Elementary School vs. Glen Arden Elementary School, Sand Hill-venable Elementary School vs. Hominy Valley Elementary School
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