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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.8%
Math vs. State Avg-33.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.2 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,190

Enka High — Students at Enka High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

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 47.0%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 58.3%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
41%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
63%
2025
Math
22.9%
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: 1.9/10.

How Enka High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in NC
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
63 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (518/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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