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Excellent

#399 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 15% in state

Early College

High School · Buncombe County Schools

340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801

Enrollment

276

Student-Teacher

25.1:1

Score

8.0

Grades

9th – UG

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#399 of 2,648

In Asheville

#6 of 34

public schools

In district

#8 of 45

Buncombe County Schools

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Early College

8.0/10

High School in Asheville · grades 9th – UG. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Middle College

7.4/10

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

Asheville High

8.3/10

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

About Early College

Early College is a public high school in Asheville, NC, part of Buncombe County Schools. Early College serves approximately 276 students, and covers grades 9th-UG, and has a 25.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Early College has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #399 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Early College show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 87% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Early College runs 25.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.58 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency96.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency94.3% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+40.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+40.7 pts
Overall Proficiency95% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+48.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
College Readiness9.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,585
Chronic Absenteeism8.3%

Early College — Students at Early College score 95% 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

98.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 86.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 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
95%
ELA
74.5%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
64.5%
ELA
95%
2013
Math
74.5%
ELA
95%
2014
Math
74.5%
ELA
95%
2015
Math
64.5%
ELA
84.5%
2016
Math
54.5%
ELA
84.5%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
84.5%
2018
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2019
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2020*
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2021*
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2025
Math
96.4%
ELA
94.3%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Early College Compares

See how Early College performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
85th percentile in NC
Academic
9.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
8.3%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Early College may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Asheville High (rated 8.3/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Middle College (rated 7.4/10), with a comparable rating. Additionally, School of Inquiry and Life Sciences (rated 6.8/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Asheville, see our Asheville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Middle College Asheville 0.0 mi 7.4
Asheville High Asheville 0.2 mi 8.3
School of Inquiry and Life Sciences Asheville 0.2 mi 6.8
Asheville Middle Asheville 1.1 mi 6.2
Hall Fletcher Elementary Asheville 1.1 mi 7.5
Isaac Dickson Elementary Asheville 1.8 mi 7.3
Montford North Star Academy Asheville 1.9 mi 8.3
ASHEVILLE WALDORF SCHOOL Asheville 1.7 mi 8.1
RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville 1.8 mi 8.4
Asheville PEAK Academy Asheville 1.9 mi 6.8
CANTERBURY CLASSICAL SCHOOL Asheville 2.1 mi 5.4
Claxton Elementary Asheville 2.6 mi 7.5
JULIA STREET MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville 2.6 mi
Francine Delany New School Asheville 2.2 mi 6.0
TEMPLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Asheville 2.3 mi 4.5
THE GOODALE SCHOOL Asheville 2.8 mi
ODYSSEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville 2.8 mi 7.5
HANGER HALL SCHOOL Asheville 3.0 mi 4.4
Oakley Elementary Asheville 2.5 mi 4.2
Emma Elementary Asheville 2.8 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,125

Median Home Value

$481,400

Median Rent

$1,130/mo

Population

13,580

College Educated

53.2%

Homeownership

36.7%

Avg Commute

15.1 min

Poverty Rate

26.2%

Median Age

43.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Academy at Smith Greensboro, NC 8.0
Cabarrus Early College of Technology Concord, NC 8.0
Early College EAST High Havelock, NC 8.0
Early College at Guilford Greensboro, NC 8.0
Franklin County Early College Louisburg, NC 8.0
Johnston Co Early College Academy Smithfield, NC 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Early College

What grades does Early College serve?

Early College serves students in grades 9th through UG.

How many students attend Early College?

Early College has an enrollment of approximately 276 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Early College?

The student-teacher ratio at Early College is 25.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Early College rank in NC?

Early College ranks #399 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Early College's MySchoolScout rating?

Early College has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Early College?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Early College has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 87% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Early College a charter school?

No, Early College is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Early College a Title I school?

No, Early College is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Early College?

98.9% of students at Early College 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
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
276
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Buncombe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
8.3%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

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

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