Average
#1344 of 2,648 schools in NC
Early College
High School · Buncombe County Schools
340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801
Enrollment
276
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – UG
Enrollment
276
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – UG
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Asheville
#15 of 34
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#130 of 579
In district
#24 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Early College
Early College serves 276 students in grades 9 through undergraduate level in Asheville, North Carolina, offering a unique educational pathway that extends beyond traditional high school. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.1:1 with 11 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can accelerate their academic journey. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an impressive 8.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #202 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile.
Students excel particularly in English Language Arts, with 94% achieving proficient or above levels, while 82% reach proficiency in mathematics. This strong academic foundation reflects the school's 9.8 out of 10 academic score. Located on Victoria Road in the 28801 ZIP code area, Early College serves a diverse community where the median household income is $46,496 and half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood shows economic diversity, with median home values of $448,700 alongside a 22.9% poverty rate among its 13,498 residents. Early College sits within Asheville's small city setting in Buncombe County, providing students access to both educational opportunities and the cultural richness of this vibrant North Carolina community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Early College is 25.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Early College — Students at Early College score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 5.2/10.
How Early College Compares
See how Early College performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 66.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 74.5% (2019) to 94.3% (2025).
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 6.5/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Middle College (rated 5.3/10), a more accessible option. Additionally, School of Inquiry and Life Sciences (rated 5.3/10, 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 | 5.3 |
| Asheville High Asheville | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| School of Inquiry and Life Sciences Asheville | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Asheville Middle Asheville | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Hall Fletcher Elementary Asheville | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Isaac Dickson Elementary Asheville | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Montford North Star Academy Asheville | 1.9 mi | 4.5 |
| 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 | 6.9 |
| CANTERBURY CLASSICAL SCHOOL Asheville | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Claxton Elementary Asheville | 2.6 mi | 8.0 |
| JULIA STREET MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville | 2.6 mi | — |
| Francine Delany New School Asheville | 2.2 mi | 4.8 |
| 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 | 5.8 |
| Emma Elementary Asheville | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Early College has a median household income of $51,125. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $481,400, with a median rent of $1,130/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| Beaufort Co Early College High Washington, NC | 6.4 |
| Henderson County Early College Flat Rock, NC | 6.4 |
| Pender Early College High Burgaw, NC | 6.4 |
| Sampson Early College High Clinton, NC | 6.4 |
| Surry Early College Dobson, NC | 6.4 |
| Char Eng Early College-UNCC Charlotte, NC | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #1344 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Early College's MySchoolScout rating?
Early College has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Early College?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Early College has 71.9% math proficiency and 84.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,723/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Asheville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 232-4123
- 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
- #24 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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