Below Average
#2209 of 2,648 schools in NC
Enka High
High School · Buncombe County Schools
475 Enka Lake Road, Candler, NC 28715
Enrollment
1,037
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,037
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Candler
#5 of 6
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#378 of 579
In district
#41 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
About Enka High
Enka High serves 1,037 students in grades 9-12 in the suburban community of Candler, North Carolina. With 63 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.5 to 1, providing reasonable class sizes for personalized attention. Academically, Enka High ranks in the 61st percentile among North Carolina high schools, placing 1,038th out of 2,661 schools statewide.
The school shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 57% of students score proficient or above, while mathematics presents an area with room for growth at 42% proficiency. These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development across core subject areas. The school draws from a stable suburban community where the median household income is $66,025 and home values average $270,100.
About 30% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 11.1%, indicating a community that values education and stability. Enka High operates as a traditional public school in Buncombe County, positioned to serve families seeking a comprehensive high school experience. The school sits within a large suburban setting that balances small-town familiarity with access to broader educational and cultural opportunities in the greater Asheville area.
Score Breakdown
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Enka High — Students at Enka High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.9/10.
How Enka High Compares
See how Enka High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 22.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 55% (2019) to 56.8% (2025).
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), which scores notably higher. Another option is MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY (rated 6.4/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, The Franklin School of Innovation (rated 5.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.3 |
| Enka Middle Candler | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Enka Intermediate Candler | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Candler Elementary Candler | 2.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Sand Hill-Venable Elem Asheville | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| The Franklin School of Innovation Asheville | 2.2 mi | 5.4 |
| ASHEVILLE-PISGAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Candler | 2.7 mi | 4.6 |
| MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY Candler | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| IC Imagine Asheville | 3.2 mi | 4.4 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| Johnston Elementary Asheville | 4.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Lucy S. Herring Elementary Asheville | 4.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Francine Delany New School Asheville | 5.0 mi | 4.8 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Enka High 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 |
|---|---|
| Bandys High Catawba, NC | 4.8 |
| Bartlett Yancey High Yanceyville, NC | 4.8 |
| Jay M Robinson High Concord, NC | 4.8 |
| John M Morehead High Eden, NC | 4.8 |
| Jordan Matthews High Siler City, NC | 4.8 |
| Midway High Newton Grove, NC | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #2209 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Enka High's MySchoolScout rating?
Enka High has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Enka High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Enka High has 47.0% math proficiency and 58.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (828) 670-5000
- 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
- #41 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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