For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public middle schools serving 7,355 students in Buncombe County, NC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Buncombe County, NC are North Buncombe Middle School, Evergreen Community Charter and The Franklin School Of Innovation. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buncombe County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Buncombe County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Buncombe County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
North Buncombe Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
51 N Buncombe School Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-7944
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-7944
Gr: 7-8 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
Enka Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
390 Asbury Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5010
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5010
Gr: 7-8 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1111.
Community High School
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
235 Old Us 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-7734
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-7734
Gr: 7-12 | 127 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1212.
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: #1313.
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%
Rank: #1414.
Erwin Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
20 Erwin Middle School Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4264
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4264
Gr: 7-8 | 545 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: n/an/a
Mountain City Public Montessori
Charter School
27 Church Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 570-5554
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 570-5554
Gr: K-7 | 137 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Buncombe County, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Buncombe County, NC include North Buncombe Middle School, Evergreen Community Charter and The Franklin School Of Innovation.
How many public middle schools are located in Buncombe County?
15 public middle schools are located in Buncombe County.
What is the racial composition of students in Buncombe County?
Buncombe County public middle schools minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Buncombe County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Buncombe County include: Reynolds Middle School vs. Valley Springs Middle School, Erwin Middle School vs. Asheville Middle School, Enka Middle School vs. Asheville Middle School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
