Best Schools in Candler, North Carolina
8 schools · 4 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Candler?
Use this page to compare every school in Candler by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Candler Elementary
Elementary · Buncombe County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Enka Intermediate
Middle · Buncombe County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hominy Valley Elementary
Elementary · Buncombe County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Candler for 2026 are Candler Elementary (7.8/10), Enka Intermediate (6.8/10), and Hominy Valley Elementary (6.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$291,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$291,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +0.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Candler schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Candler
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 8 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Candler Elementary | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Enka Intermediate | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Hominy Valley Elementary | 6.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Enka High | 6.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Pisgah Elementary | 5.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Enka Middle | 4.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $70,950
- Median home value
- $291,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Candler compares
North Carolina rank
#121 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.0
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$71k
104% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
8
Buncombe County Schools runs Candler's public schools
6 public schools. Buncombe County Schools is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Candler is a Buncombe County Schools school (6 of 6).
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.7 to 7.8 — the spread is inside Candler, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Candler, North Carolina
Candler, North Carolina is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Candler show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Candler is Candler Elementary with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Candler is served by 1 school district: Buncombe County Schools. These districts collectively serve 22,172 students.
Candler's community shows 32% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $70,950. The poverty rate in the area is 11.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 365 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 428 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.5 | ||
| 3 | 167 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.9 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 161 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 577 students · 5th–6th | 6.8 |
| 2 | 617 students · 7th–8th | 4.7 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,037 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Mount Pisqah AcademyPrivate 96 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Candler
Candler, North Carolina · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$70,950
Median Home Value
$291,900
Median Rent
$1,208/mo
Population
28,770
College Educated
32%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Community Profile
Candler has a median household income of $70,950. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,900, with a median rent of $1,208/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Candler, North Carolina
How many schools are in Candler, North Carolina?
Candler has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Candler, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Candler is 6.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Candler, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Candler on MySchoolScout is Candler Elementary with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Candler, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Candler on MySchoolScout is Candler Elementary with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Candler, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Candler on MySchoolScout is Enka Intermediate with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best high school in Candler, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Candler on MySchoolScout is Enka High with a composite score of 6.0/10.
How many school districts serve Candler, North Carolina?
Candler is served by 1 school district: Buncombe County Schools.
What is the education level in Candler, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 32% of adults in Candler have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Candler, North Carolina?
The median household income in Candler is approximately $70,950 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Candler, North Carolina?
Yes, Candler has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Mount Pisqah Academy with a score of 7.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Candler, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Candler is 13.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Candler, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.