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Very Good

#586 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 22% in state

Enka High

High School · Buncombe County Schools

475 Enka Lake Road, Candler, NC 28715

Enrollment

1,037

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

7.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#586 of 2,648

In Candler

#1 of 6

public schools

In district

#13 of 45

Buncombe County Schools

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Enka High

7.7/10

High School in Candler · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hominy Valley Elementary

6.9/10

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

Enka Middle

4.5/10

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

About Enka High

Enka High is a public high school in Candler, NC, part of Buncombe County Schools. Enka High serves approximately 1,037 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Enka High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #586 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Enka High show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • NC avg 6.4

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-0.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.8% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.2 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation18.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,585
Chronic Absenteeism27.2%

Enka High — Students at Enka High score 59% 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

99.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 55.8% (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
80%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
35%
ELA
46%
2013
Math
36%
ELA
45%
2014
Math
31%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
51%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
49%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
63%
2025
Math
61%
ELA
56.8%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Enka High Compares

See how Enka High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
78th percentile in NC
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
6.2/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Sports
17
8 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
63 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
18.8% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
8 boys'·9 girls'·27 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
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

475 Enka Lake Road, Candler, NC 28715

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Enka High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ASHEVILLE SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Asheville), with a very similar rating. Another option is The Franklin School of Innovation (rated 6.5/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Asheville), a more accessible option. Additionally, MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY (rated 6.5/10, 2.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Candler, see our Candler schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Hominy Valley Elementary Candler 0.3 mi 6.9
Enka Middle Candler 1.6 mi 4.5
Enka Intermediate Candler 1.9 mi 7.5
Candler Elementary Candler 2.0 mi 6.5
Sand Hill-Venable Elem Asheville 2.2 mi 5.1
The Franklin School of Innovation Asheville 2.2 mi 6.5
ASHEVILLE-PISGAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Candler 2.7 mi 4.6
MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY Candler 2.8 mi 6.5
IC Imagine Asheville 3.2 mi 6.3
ASHEVILLE SCHOOL Asheville 3.5 mi 7.7
THE NEW CLASSICAL ACADEMY Asheville 3.6 mi 6.1
1 SCHOOL RD Asheville 4.2 mi
Pisgah Elementary Candler 4.1 mi 5.9
Johnston Elementary Asheville 4.7 mi 3.2
Lucy S. Herring Elementary Asheville 4.9 mi 6.6
Francine Delany New School Asheville 5.0 mi 6.0
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Asheville 5.3 mi 6.9
ELIADA ACADEMY Asheville 5.6 mi
CANTERBURY CLASSICAL SCHOOL Asheville 5.3 mi 5.4
RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville 5.6 mi 8.4

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
Carrboro High Carrboro, NC 7.7
North Henderson High Hendersonville, NC 7.7
Roxboro Community School Roxboro, NC 7.7
South Point High Belmont, NC 7.7
Hendersonville High Hendersonville, NC 7.8
Reynolds High Asheville, NC 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Enka High

What grades does Enka High serve?

Enka High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Enka High?

Enka High has an enrollment of approximately 1,037 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Enka High?

The student-teacher ratio at Enka High is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Enka High rank in NC?

Enka High ranks #586 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Enka High's MySchoolScout rating?

Enka High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Enka High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Enka High has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Enka High a charter school?

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

Is Enka High a Title I school?

No, Enka High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Enka High?

99.7% of students at Enka High 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,037
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
63
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Buncombe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.2%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

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

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