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Below Average

#2188 of 2,648 schools in NC

Enka Middle

Middle School · Buncombe County Schools

390 Asbury Road, Candler, NC 28715

Enrollment

617

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

4.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,188 of 2,648

In Candler

#6 of 6

public schools

In district

#39 of 45

Buncombe County Schools

School environment

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Enka Middle

4.5/10

Middle School in Candler · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Asheville-pisgah Christian School

4.6/10

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

Hominy Valley Elementary

6.9/10

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

About Enka Middle

Enka Middle is a public middle school in Candler, NC, part of Buncombe County Schools. Enka Middle serves approximately 617 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Enka Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,188 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Enka Middle show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 5.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.32 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-18 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.4 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,585
Chronic Absenteeism28.4%

Enka Middle — Students at Enka Middle score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 49.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.2% (2025 NC)

Based on 34 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
83%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
71%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
45%
ELA
50%
2013
Math
44%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
44%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
44%
2017
Math
46%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
39%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
42.7%
2025
Math
35.5%
ELA
40.5%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Enka Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
17th percentile in NC
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.4%

Programs & Offerings

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

390 Asbury Road, Candler, NC 28715

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Enka Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Enka Intermediate (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Erwin Middle (rated 4.6/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Asheville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Candler, see our Candler schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ASHEVILLE-PISGAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Candler 1.2 mi 4.6
Hominy Valley Elementary Candler 1.2 mi 6.9
MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY Candler 1.2 mi 6.5
Enka High Candler 1.6 mi 7.7
Sand Hill-Venable Elem Asheville 1.4 mi 5.1
Enka Intermediate Candler 1.6 mi 7.5
The Franklin School of Innovation Asheville 2.0 mi 6.5
Candler Elementary Candler 2.2 mi 6.5
ASHEVILLE SCHOOL Asheville 2.5 mi 7.7
THE NEW CLASSICAL ACADEMY Asheville 2.9 mi 6.1
IC Imagine Asheville 2.9 mi 6.3
1 SCHOOL RD Asheville 3.2 mi
Johnston Elementary Asheville 3.5 mi 3.2
ELIADA ACADEMY Asheville 4.3 mi
Lucy S. Herring Elementary Asheville 4.0 mi 6.6
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Asheville 4.2 mi 6.9
Francine Delany New School Asheville 4.2 mi 6.0
Erwin Middle Asheville 4.9 mi 4.6
CANTERBURY CLASSICAL SCHOOL Asheville 4.4 mi 5.4
Erwin High Asheville 5.1 mi 6.0

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
Spring Lake Middle Spring Lake, NC 4.5
Bessemer City Middle Bessemer City, NC 4.6
Brogden Middle Durham, NC 4.6
Butner-Stem Middle Butner, NC 4.6
Clayton Middle Clayton, NC 4.4
Durant Road Middle Raleigh, NC 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Enka Middle

What grades does Enka Middle serve?

Enka Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Enka Middle?

Enka Middle has an enrollment of approximately 617 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Enka Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Enka Middle is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Enka Middle rank in NC?

Enka Middle ranks #2,188 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Enka Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Enka Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Enka Middle has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Enka Middle a charter school?

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

Is Enka Middle a Title I school?

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

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

99.5% of students at Enka Middle 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
28 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
617
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Buncombe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.4%

District

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

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