Skip to main content

Average

#1586 of 2,648 schools in NC

Ira B Jones Elementary

Elementary School · Asheville City Schools

544 Kimberly Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804

Enrollment

377

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,586 of 2,648

In Asheville

#24 of 34

public schools

In district

#9 of 9

Asheville City Schools

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Ira B Jones Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Ira B Jones Elementary

5.8/10

Elementary School in Asheville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Asheville Catholic School

7.9/10

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

Hanger Hall School

4.4/10

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

About Ira B Jones Elementary

Ira B Jones Elementary is a public elementary school in Asheville, NC, part of Asheville City Schools. Ira B Jones Elementary serves approximately 377 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Ira B Jones Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,586 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Ira B Jones Elementary show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

34% of students at Ira B Jones Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.9 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-17.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.4 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,507
Chronic Absenteeism34.2%

Ira B Jones Elementary — Students at Ira B Jones Elementary score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 56.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 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
77%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
63%
ELA
56%
2015
Math
56%
ELA
60%
2016
Math
58%
ELA
59%
2017
Math
58%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
50%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
50%
ELA
61%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
47.7%
ELA
47.7%
2025
Math
46.7%
ELA
52.4%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Ira B Jones Elementary Compares

See how Ira B Jones Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
40th percentile in NC
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.2%

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

544 Kimberly Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ira B Jones Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Haw Creek Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Claxton Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Asheville, see our Asheville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Asheville 0.1 mi 7.9
HANGER HALL SCHOOL Asheville 1.2 mi 4.4
JULIA STREET MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville 1.6 mi
Claxton Elementary Asheville 1.6 mi 7.5
ODYSSEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville 1.7 mi 7.5
HAWTHORN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville 1.6 mi
THE GOODALE SCHOOL Asheville 1.8 mi
REYNOLDS MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADENY Asheville 1.9 mi 7.2
Montford North Star Academy Asheville 2.3 mi 8.3
Woodfin Elementary Asheville 2.0 mi 3.4
Isaac Dickson Elementary Asheville 2.6 mi 7.3
Nesbitt Discovery Academy Asheville 2.5 mi 8.4
Asheville Middle Asheville 3.1 mi 6.2
ASHEVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville 2.9 mi
FRENCH BROAD RIVER ACADEMY-BOYS Asheville 2.8 mi 6.1
FRENCH BROAD RIVER ACADEMY-GIRLS CAMPUS Asheville 2.9 mi 6.2
Emma Elementary Asheville 3.3 mi 4.9
Haw Creek Elementary Asheville 3.5 mi 7.8
Asheville High Asheville 4.0 mi 8.3
Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy Asheville 3.6 mi 2.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28804 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,709

Median Home Value

$528,500

Median Rent

$1,399/mo

Population

25,141

College Educated

59.6%

Homeownership

68.7%

Avg Commute

18.6 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

44.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Banks Elementary Kinston, NC 5.8
Bessemer City Primary Bessemer City, NC 5.8
C C Wright Elementary School North Wilkesboro, NC 5.8
Central Elementary Barco, NC 5.8
Deep Branch Elementary Lumberton, NC 5.8
Fairview Heights Elementary Hamlet, NC 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ira B Jones Elementary

What grades does Ira B Jones Elementary serve?

Ira B Jones Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Ira B Jones Elementary?

Ira B Jones Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 377 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ira B Jones Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Ira B Jones Elementary is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ira B Jones Elementary rank in NC?

Ira B Jones Elementary ranks #1,586 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Ira B Jones Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ira B Jones Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Ira B Jones Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ira B Jones Elementary has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Ira B Jones Elementary a charter school?

No, Ira B Jones Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ira B Jones Elementary a Title I school?

No, Ira B Jones Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ira B Jones Elementary?

51.5% of students at Ira B Jones 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Buncombe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.2%

District

Asheville City Schools
District Enrollment
3,977
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,507
District Rank
#9 of 9

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.