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Average

#1275 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 48% in state

Asheville High

High School · Asheville City Schools

419 McDowell Street, Asheville, NC 28803

Enrollment

1,165

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Asheville

#12 of 34

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#119 of 579

In district

#6 of 9

Asheville City Schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Asheville High

Asheville High serves 1,165 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, supported by 87 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school ranks #605 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 77th percentile with a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. Academically, the school shows strong performance in English Language Arts, with 70% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents more of a growth opportunity, with 47% of students achieving proficiency. The school's overall academic score of 7.6 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement while highlighting areas for continued development. Located on McDowell Street in Asheville, the school serves a community where half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income is $65,642.

The surrounding ZIP code 28803 has a population of 34,577 with a relatively low poverty rate of 11.3%, creating a stable educational environment. Home values in the area average $374,700, reflecting the desirability of this North Carolina location. Asheville High sits in the heart of this vibrant small city in Buncombe County, surrounded by the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Asheville a distinctive place to learn and grow.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.06 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.6%
Math vs. State Avg-23.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected-11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness9.2Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation22.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,998

Asheville High — Students at Asheville High score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.2%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 68.2%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
70%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
65%
2025
Math
32.5%
ELA
69.6%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.8/10.

How Asheville High Compares

See how Asheville High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in NC
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
87 teachers

Location

419 McDowell Street, Asheville, NC 28803

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Asheville High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Nesbitt Discovery Academy (rated 6.7/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Early College (rated 6.4/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, School of Inquiry and Life Sciences (rated 5.3/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Asheville, see our Asheville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
School of Inquiry and Life Sciences Asheville 0.0 mi 5.3
Early College Asheville 0.2 mi 6.4
Middle College Asheville 0.2 mi 5.3
Asheville Middle Asheville 1.0 mi 6.8
Hall Fletcher Elementary Asheville 1.2 mi 7.3
Isaac Dickson Elementary Asheville 1.7 mi 6.8
Montford North Star Academy Asheville 1.8 mi 4.5
ASHEVILLE WALDORF SCHOOL Asheville 1.9 mi 8.1
RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville 1.9 mi 8.4
Claxton Elementary Asheville 2.4 mi 8.0
Asheville PEAK Academy Asheville 2.0 mi 6.9
JULIA STREET MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville 2.4 mi
CANTERBURY CLASSICAL SCHOOL Asheville 2.2 mi 5.4
THE GOODALE SCHOOL Asheville 2.7 mi
TEMPLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Asheville 2.3 mi 4.5
ODYSSEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville 2.7 mi 7.5
Francine Delany New School Asheville 2.3 mi 4.8
Oakley Elementary Asheville 2.4 mi 5.8
HANGER HALL SCHOOL Asheville 2.9 mi 4.4
Nesbitt Discovery Academy Asheville 2.9 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28803 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,638

Median Home Value

$408,600

Median Rent

$1,455/mo

Population

34,750

College Educated

50.4%

Homeownership

53.5%

Avg Commute

19.7 min

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

42.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Asheville High has a median household income of $70,638. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $408,600, with a median rent of $1,455/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CARY ACADEMY Cary, NC 6.5
Atkins Academic & Tech High Winston-Salem, NC 6.6
Carrboro High Carrboro, NC 6.4
East Lincoln High Denver, NC 6.6
Robert L. Patton High School Morganton, NC 6.4
Brevard High Brevard, NC 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Asheville High

What grades does Asheville High serve?

Asheville High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Asheville High?

Asheville High has an enrollment of approximately 1,165 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Asheville High?

The student-teacher ratio at Asheville High is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Asheville High rank in NC?

Asheville High is ranked #1275 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Asheville High's MySchoolScout rating?

Asheville High has a composite rating of 6.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Asheville High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Asheville High has 47.2% math proficiency and 68.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Asheville High a charter school?

No, Asheville High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Asheville High a Title I school?

No, Asheville High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Asheville High?

39.1% of students at Asheville High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,723/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Asheville). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,165
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
87
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Buncombe County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Asheville City Schools
District Enrollment
3,977
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,507
District Rank
#6 of 9

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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