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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.2%
Math vs. State Avg+10.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.6 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+26.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,190

Barnardsville Elementary — Students at Barnardsville Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.1%
School
State
59.5%
ELA Proficiency 60.5%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2025
Math
74.6%
ELA
70.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
9.6/10
100th percentile in NC
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
4 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (518/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Buncombe County Schools
District Enrollment
22,172
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,585
District Rank
#1 of 45

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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