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Average

#1225 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 46% in state

Candler Elementary

Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools

121 Candler School Road, Candler, NC 28715

Enrollment

365

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,225 of 2,648

In Candler

#4 of 6

public schools

In district

#25 of 45

Buncombe County Schools

Equity

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Candler Elementary

6.5/10

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

Enka High

7.7/10

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

Hominy Valley Elementary

6.9/10

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

About Candler Elementary

Candler Elementary is a public elementary school in Candler, NC, part of Buncombe County Schools. Candler Elementary serves approximately 365 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Candler Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,225 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Candler Elementary show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Candler Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.9 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+0.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency60% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+13.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,585
Chronic Absenteeism32.9%

Candler Elementary — Students at Candler Elementary score 60% 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

99.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.5% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 49.0% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
83%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
46%
2013
Math
50%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
56.9%
ELA
42.1%
2025
Math
64.8%
ELA
55.8%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Candler Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in NC
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.9%

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

121 Candler School Road, Candler, NC 28715

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Candler Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hominy Valley Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lucy S. Herring Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Asheville), with a very similar rating. 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 7.7
Hominy Valley Elementary Candler 2.0 mi 6.9
Enka Middle Candler 2.2 mi 4.5
MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY Candler 2.7 mi 6.5
ASHEVILLE-PISGAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Candler 2.8 mi 4.6
Pisgah Elementary Candler 3.0 mi 5.9
Sand Hill-Venable Elem Asheville 3.6 mi 5.1
Enka Intermediate Candler 3.6 mi 7.5
The Franklin School of Innovation Asheville 3.9 mi 6.5
ASHEVILLE SCHOOL Asheville 4.7 mi 7.7
IC Imagine Asheville 4.9 mi 6.3
THE NEW CLASSICAL ACADEMY Asheville 5.1 mi 6.1
1 SCHOOL RD Asheville 5.4 mi
Johnston Elementary Asheville 5.6 mi 3.2
ELIADA ACADEMY Asheville 6.3 mi
Erwin Middle Asheville 6.8 mi 4.6
Lucy S. Herring Elementary Asheville 6.2 mi 6.6
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Asheville 6.4 mi 6.9
Erwin High Asheville 7.0 mi 6.0
Francine Delany New School Asheville 6.4 mi 6.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
A H Snipes Academy of Arts/Des Wilmington, NC 6.5
ArtSpace Charter School Swannanoa, NC 6.5
Banoak Elementary Vale, NC 6.5
Benton Heights Elementary Monroe, NC 6.5
Claremont Elementary Claremont, NC 6.5
Edwin M Holt Elementary Burlington, NC 6.5

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 ranks #1,225 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Candler Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Candler Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Candler Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Candler Elementary has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.9%

District

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

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