Excellent
#4 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 1% in state
Barnardsville Elementary
Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools
20 Hillcrest Drive, Barnardsville, NC 28709
Enrollment
109
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
9.6
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
109
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
9.6
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#3 of 1,474
In district
#1 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Barnardsville Elementary
Barnardsville Elementary serves 109 students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Barnardsville, North Carolina. With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, every child gets consistent, close attention from staff — a structural advantage that shows up clearly in the school's outcomes. Those outcomes are exceptional by any measure.
Barnardsville earns a composite score of 9.6 out of 10, with a 9.4 in academics and a 9.7 in growth. It ranks #1 among all 45 schools in Buncombe County Schools and sits at #3 of 1,474 elementary schools statewide. That puts it among the rarest performers in North Carolina public education.
The growth score deserves particular attention. A 9.7 means students here consistently advance beyond expected trajectories — a signal that instruction is working, not just that the incoming population tests well. For families comparing elementary options in Buncombe County or across western North Carolina, Barnardsville stands in a category nearly alone: ranking 4th out of 2,648 public schools in the entire state, it outperforms 100% of North Carolina schools on this platform's scoring model.
Small enrollment, high contact time with teachers, and sustained academic momentum make this a school worth serious consideration.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 109 students, Barnardsville Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Barnardsville Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Barnardsville Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Barnardsville Elementary — Students at Barnardsville Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.7/10.
How Barnardsville Elementary Compares
See how Barnardsville Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 74.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 70.2% (2025).
Location
20 Hillcrest Drive, Barnardsville, NC 28709
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Barnardsville Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Buncombe Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Weaverville), a more accessible option. Another option is ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Asheville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Weaverville Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Weaverville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Barnardsville, see our Barnardsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TIMBERSONG ACADEMY Weaverville | 3.3 mi | — |
| North Buncombe High Weaverville | 6.0 mi | 5.7 |
| North Windy Ridge Intermediate Weaverville | 6.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Mars Hill Elementary Mars Hill | 6.6 mi | 5.7 |
| North Buncombe Elementary Weaverville | 6.4 mi | 8.0 |
| North Buncombe Middle Weaverville | 6.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Weaverville Primary Weaverville | 7.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Weaverville Elementary Weaverville | 8.3 mi | 7.7 |
| THE LEARNING COMMUNITY SCHOOL Swannanoa | 10.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Cane River Middle Burnsville | 10.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Blue Ridge Elementary Burnsville | 10.7 mi | 3.5 |
| ASHEVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville | 10.4 mi | — |
| Ira B Jones Elementary Asheville | 11.2 mi | 5.1 |
| ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Asheville | 11.2 mi | 7.8 |
| REYNOLDS MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADENY Asheville | 11.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Evergreen Community Charter Asheville | 12.1 mi | 5.8 |
| ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Swannanoa | 12.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Owen High Black Mountain | 11.8 mi | 5.0 |
| WOLF CREEK ACADEMY Mars Hill | 12.1 mi | — |
| Williams Elementary Swannanoa | 12.2 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28709 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,441
Median Home Value
$360,000
Median Rent
$1,500/mo
Population
2,269
College Educated
39.5%
Homeownership
73.8%
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Median Age
49.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Barnardsville Elementary has a median household income of $75,441. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $360,000, with a median rent of $1,500/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ECU Community School Greenville, NC | 9.5 |
| Beaver Dam Elementary Roseboro, NC | 9.4 |
| Pollocksville Elementary Pollocksville, NC | 9.4 |
| Knotts Island Elementary Knotts Island, NC | 9.3 |
| Maysville Elementary Maysville, NC | 9.3 |
| Saluda Elementary School Saluda, NC | 9.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Barnardsville Elementary
What grades does Barnardsville Elementary serve?
Barnardsville Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Barnardsville Elementary?
Barnardsville Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 109 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Barnardsville Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Barnardsville Elementary is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Barnardsville Elementary rank in NC?
Barnardsville Elementary is ranked #4 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Barnardsville Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Barnardsville Elementary has a composite rating of 9.6 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 Barnardsville Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barnardsville Elementary has 59.1% math proficiency and 60.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Barnardsville Elementary a charter school?
No, Barnardsville Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Barnardsville Elementary a Title I school?
No, Barnardsville Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Barnardsville Elementary?
97.2% of students at Barnardsville Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 109
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Buncombe County
- Phone
- (828) 626-2290
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Buncombe County Schools- District Enrollment
- 22,172
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,585
- District Rank
- #1 of 45
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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