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Very Good

#643 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 24% in state

Barnardsville Elementary

Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools

20 Hillcrest Drive, Barnardsville, NC 28709

Enrollment

109

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#643 of 2,648

In district

#15 of 45

Buncombe County Schools

Equity

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Barnardsville Elementary

7.6/10

Elementary School in Barnardsville · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Timbersong Academy

Nearby

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

North Buncombe High

7.9/10

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

About Barnardsville Elementary

Barnardsville Elementary is a public elementary school in Barnardsville, NC, part of Buncombe County Schools. Barnardsville Elementary serves approximately 109 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Barnardsville Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #643 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Barnardsville Elementary show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 109 students, Barnardsville Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 9.9:1 students to teachers, Barnardsville Elementary sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Barnardsville Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+10.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.6 pts
Overall Proficiency72% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+25.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,585
Chronic Absenteeism41.3%

Barnardsville Elementary — Students at Barnardsville Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

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 58.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.5% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 57.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 34 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2017
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
58.9%
ELA
39.2%
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: 6.4/10.

How Barnardsville Elementary Compares

See how Barnardsville Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
76th percentile in NC
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
6.4/10
Average
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.3%

Programs & Offerings

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

20 Hillcrest Drive, Barnardsville, NC 28709

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Barnardsville Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Weaverville Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Weaverville), which scores notably higher. Another option is ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, North Buncombe Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Weaverville), with a very similar rating. 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 7.9
North Windy Ridge Intermediate Weaverville 6.2 mi 8.1
Mars Hill Elementary Mars Hill 6.6 mi 7.2
North Buncombe Elementary Weaverville 6.4 mi 7.3
North Buncombe Middle Weaverville 6.9 mi 8.4
Weaverville Primary Weaverville 7.9 mi 6.9
Weaverville Elementary Weaverville 8.3 mi 8.8
THE LEARNING COMMUNITY SCHOOL Swannanoa 10.3 mi 6.6
Cane River Middle Burnsville 10.5 mi 5.6
Blue Ridge Elementary Burnsville 10.7 mi 3.4
ASHEVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville 10.4 mi
Ira B Jones Elementary Asheville 11.2 mi 5.8
ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Asheville 11.2 mi 7.9
REYNOLDS MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADENY Asheville 11.0 mi 7.2
Evergreen Community Charter Asheville 12.1 mi 6.1
ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Swannanoa 12.1 mi 5.0
Owen High Black Mountain 11.8 mi 7.1
WOLF CREEK ACADEMY Mars Hill 12.1 mi
Williams Elementary Swannanoa 12.2 mi 4.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aulander Elementary Aulander, NC 7.6
ELIZABETHTOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elizabethtown, NC 7.6
TRIANGLE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Cary, NC 7.6
The Virtual Academy at Randolph Asheboro, NC 7.6
FOLLOW THE CHILD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Raleigh, NC 7.5
ST EGBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Morehead City, NC 7.5

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 ranks #643 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Barnardsville Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Barnardsville Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Barnardsville Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Barnardsville Elementary has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.3%

District

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

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