Excellent
#38 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 1% in state
Candler Elementary
Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools
121 Candler School Road, Candler, NC 28715
Enrollment
365
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
365
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Candler
#1 of 6
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#34 of 1,474
In district
#2 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Candler Elementary
Candler Elementary serves 365 students in grades PK through 4 in Candler, North Carolina. It earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — driven by an academic score of 8.4 and a growth score of 9.6. The growth score deserves a close look: it measures year-over-year student improvement relative to peers, not just absolute performance at a single point in time.
That momentum shows up in the statewide rankings. Candler places #38 out of 2,648 public schools in North Carolina, outperforming 99% of schools statewide. Among the 1,474 elementary schools in the state, it ranks #34 — a top-3% finish.
Locally, it holds the #1 spot among all 6 public schools in Candler. With a 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio across a PK-4 campus of 365, students get consistent individual attention at every grade level. For families evaluating elementary schools in North Carolina, Candler Elementary's Exceptional rating, elite statewide rank, and standout growth score make it a school worth serious consideration.
Score Breakdown
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Candler Elementary — Students at Candler Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
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: 9.6/10.
How Candler Elementary Compares
See how Candler Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 64.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 55.9% (2025).
Location
121 Candler School Road, Candler, NC 28715
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Candler Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lucy S. Herring Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Asheville), a more accessible option. Another option is EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Asheville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Pisgah Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 3.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Candler, see our Candler schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Enka High Candler | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Hominy Valley Elementary Candler | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Enka Middle Candler | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
| MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY Candler | 2.7 mi | 6.4 |
| ASHEVILLE-PISGAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Candler | 2.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Pisgah Elementary Candler | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Sand Hill-Venable Elem Asheville | 3.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Enka Intermediate Candler | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
| The Franklin School of Innovation Asheville | 3.9 mi | 5.4 |
| ASHEVILLE SCHOOL Asheville | 4.7 mi | 7.7 |
| IC Imagine Asheville | 4.9 mi | 4.4 |
| THE NEW CLASSICAL ACADEMY Asheville | 5.1 mi | 6.1 |
| 1 SCHOOL RD Asheville | 5.4 mi | — |
| Johnston Elementary Asheville | 5.6 mi | 6.2 |
| ELIADA ACADEMY Asheville | 6.3 mi | — |
| Erwin Middle Asheville | 6.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Lucy S. Herring Elementary Asheville | 6.2 mi | 7.8 |
| EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Asheville | 6.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Erwin High Asheville | 7.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Francine Delany New School Asheville | 6.4 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28715 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,950
Median Home Value
$291,900
Median Rent
$1,208/mo
Population
28,770
College Educated
31.5%
Homeownership
71.6%
Avg Commute
22.8 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
41.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Candler Elementary has a median household income of $70,950. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,900, with a median rent of $1,208/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Battleground Elementary Lincolnton, NC | 9.1 |
| Easley Elementary Durham, NC | 9.1 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion, NC | 9.1 |
| Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School Forest City, NC | 9.1 |
| Grandy Primary Camden, NC | 9.1 |
| North Elementary Kings Mountain, NC | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Candler Elementary
What grades does Candler Elementary serve?
Candler Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Candler Elementary?
Candler Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 365 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Candler Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Candler Elementary is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Candler Elementary rank in NC?
Candler Elementary is ranked #38 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Candler Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Candler Elementary has a composite rating of 9.1 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 Candler Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Candler Elementary has 51.7% math proficiency and 47.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Candler Elementary a charter school?
No, Candler Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Candler Elementary a Title I school?
No, Candler Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Candler Elementary?
99.2% of students at Candler 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 365
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Buncombe County
- Phone
- (828) 670-5018
- 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
- #2 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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