Very Good
#755 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 29% in state
Glen Arden Elementary
Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools
50 Pinehurst Circle, Arden, NC 28704
Enrollment
471
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
471
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arden
#2 of 3
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#629 of 1,474
In district
#11 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Glen Arden Elementary
Glen Arden Elementary stands out as one of North Carolina's top-performing elementary schools, serving 471 students in prekindergarten through fourth grade in the scenic mountain community of Arden. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranking #86 among the state's 2,661 elementary schools, Glen Arden places in the 97th percentile for academic excellence. The school's strong academic performance is evident in its test results, with 73% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 68% meeting or exceeding standards in English language arts and reading.
These impressive outcomes are supported by a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.1 to 1, allowing the school's 36 full-time equivalent teachers to provide more individualized attention to their students. Glen Arden serves families in a well-established suburban community where 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income of $75,969 reflects the area's economic stability. The low poverty rate of 6.8% indicates strong community resources that support student learning both in and out of the classroom.
Located at 50 Pinehurst Circle in Buncombe County, Glen Arden Elementary benefits from its setting in the greater Asheville metropolitan area, combining suburban convenience with the natural beauty of western North Carolina's mountains.
Score Breakdown
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Glen Arden Elementary — Students at Glen Arden Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 5.7/10.
How Glen Arden Elementary Compares
See how Glen Arden Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 72.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 68.3% (2025).
Location
50 Pinehurst Circle, Arden, NC 28704
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Glen Arden Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fairview Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Fairview), which scores notably higher. Another option is Estes Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Asheville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Glenn C Marlow Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Mills River), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Arden, see our Arden schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHRIST SCHOOL Arden | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| VERITAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fletcher | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Roberson High Asheville | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| FernLeaf Fletcher | 3.1 mi | 6.8 |
| TRINITY OF FAIRVIEW ACADEMY Fletcher | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Koontz Intermediate Asheville | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Estes Elementary Asheville | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Valley Springs Middle Arden | 2.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Fletcher Elementary Fletcher | 4.2 mi | 6.8 |
| CAROLINA DAY SCHOOL Asheville | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Cane Creek Middle Fletcher | 3.7 mi | 8.2 |
| CAPTAIN GILMER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fletcher | 5.1 mi | 5.3 |
| FLETCHER ACADEMY Fletcher | 5.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Reynolds High Asheville | 5.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Glenn C Marlow Elementary Mills River | 5.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Reynolds Middle Asheville | 5.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Avery's Creek Elementary Arden | 4.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Oakley Elementary Asheville | 6.6 mi | 5.8 |
| MILLS RIVER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Mills River | 6.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Fairview Elementary Fairview | 6.1 mi | 8.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28704 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,088
Median Home Value
$343,600
Median Rent
$1,369/mo
Population
23,516
College Educated
40.9%
Homeownership
59.6%
Avg Commute
20.8 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
40
Community Profile
The community surrounding Glen Arden Elementary has a median household income of $79,088. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $343,600, with a median rent of $1,369/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| A.C.E. Academy Harrisburg, NC | 7.4 |
| Blowing Rock Elementary Blowing Rock, NC | 7.4 |
| CHARLOTTE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Charlotte, NC | 7.4 |
| Cumberland Road Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 7.4 |
| Denton Elementary Denton, NC | 7.4 |
| Eastern Elementary Washington, NC | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Glen Arden Elementary
What grades does Glen Arden Elementary serve?
Glen Arden Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Glen Arden Elementary?
Glen Arden Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 471 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Glen Arden Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Glen Arden Elementary is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Glen Arden Elementary rank in NC?
Glen Arden Elementary is ranked #755 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Glen Arden Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Glen Arden Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Glen Arden Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Glen Arden Elementary has 67.8% math proficiency and 65.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Glen Arden Elementary a charter school?
No, Glen Arden Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Glen Arden Elementary a Title I school?
No, Glen Arden Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Glen Arden Elementary?
99.4% of students at Glen Arden Elementary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 471
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Buncombe County
- Phone
- (828) 654-1800
- 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
- #11 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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