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Very Good

#834 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 32% in state

Avery County High

High School · Avery County Schools

401 Avery County High School R, Newland, NC 28657

Enrollment

594

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#834 of 2,648

In Newland

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 8

Avery County Schools

School environment

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Avery County High

7.2/10

High School in Newland · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Avery Middle

5.4/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Newland Elementary

5.5/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Avery County High

Avery County High is a public high school in Newland, NC, part of Avery County Schools. Avery County High serves approximately 594 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Avery County High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #834 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Avery County High show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above NC schools
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Avery County High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-1.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation14.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,513
Chronic Absenteeism20.5%

Avery County High — Students at Avery County High score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 51.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
54.6%
ELA
49.6%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Avery County High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in NC
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Sports
18
9 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
14.5% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
9 boys'·9 girls'·25 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

401 Avery County High School R, Newland, NC 28657

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Avery County High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mayland Early College (rated 7.8/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Spruce Pine), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cloudland High School (rated 6.2/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Roan Mountain), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mitchell High (rated 5.7/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Bakersville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Newland, see our Newland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Avery Middle Newland 0.2 mi 5.4
Newland Elementary Newland 1.0 mi 5.5
Crossnore Elementary Crossnore 2.9 mi 6.6
Marjorie Williams Academy Crossnore 3.0 mi 7.7
RAINBOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elk Park 5.4 mi
Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park 5.9 mi 8.3
Cranberry Middle Elk Park 6.0 mi 8.5
Banner Elk Elementary Banner Elk 6.6 mi 9.4
Riverside Elementary Newland 7.7 mi 4.2
BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spruce Pine 10.4 mi 7.0
Mayland Early College Spruce Pine 10.7 mi 7.8
Cloudland Elementary School Roan Mountain 11.4 mi 7.8
Cloudland High School Roan Mountain 11.8 mi 6.2
Valle Crucis Elementary Sugar Grove 12.6 mi 6.6
SPRUCE PINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spruce Pine 13.3 mi 5.7
TRI-COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spruce Pine 13.6 mi 5.4
Mitchell High Bakersville 12.9 mi 5.7
Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine 14.7 mi 8.0
Harris Middle Spruce Pine 14.3 mi 6.4
Deyton Elementary Spruce Pine 14.4 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28657 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,371

Median Home Value

$223,600

Median Rent

$748/mo

Population

8,098

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

81.7%

Avg Commute

23.5 min

Poverty Rate

8.4%

Median Age

51.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cumberland Academy 6-12 Virtual School Fayetteville, NC 7.2
West Stokes High School King, NC 7.2
Challenger Early College High Hickory, NC 7.3
East Rutherford High School Forest City, NC 7.3
Midway High Newton Grove, NC 7.3
Piedmont Classical High School Browns Summit, NC 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Avery County High

What grades does Avery County High serve?

Avery County High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Avery County High?

Avery County High has an enrollment of approximately 594 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Avery County High?

The student-teacher ratio at Avery County High is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Avery County High rank in NC?

Avery County High ranks #834 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Avery County High's MySchoolScout rating?

Avery County High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Avery County High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Avery County High has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Avery County High a charter school?

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

Is Avery County High a Title I school?

No, Avery County High is not currently a Title I school.

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

99.5% of students at Avery County 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
4 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
594
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Avery County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.5%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Avery County Schools
District Enrollment
1,856
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,513
District Rank
#4 of 8

How we rate schools

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