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Average

#1478 of 2,648 schools in NC

Johnston Elementary

Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools

230 Johnston Boulevard, Asheville, NC 28806

Enrollment

184

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Asheville

#16 of 34

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#1,061 of 1,474

In district

#26 of 45

Buncombe County Schools

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Johnston Elementary

Johnston Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Asheville, North Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade and has an enrollment of 184 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.2:1. This close-knit community benefits from the presence of 18 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting each child's academic journey.

Johnston Elementary currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks at #2056 among 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it in the 23rd percentile. The school’s academic performance shows that 24% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 22% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth.

Johnston Elementary is situated in a small city setting within Buncombe County, offering a close-knit community feel for its students. Despite being in an area with limited neighborhood data available, the school remains committed to providing a supportive learning environment for all its pupils.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 184 students, Johnston Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Johnston Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics2.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.2%
Math vs. State Avg-37 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.4 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,190

Johnston Elementary — Students at Johnston Elementary score 28% 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

98.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 21.9%
School
State
59.5%
ELA Proficiency 23.7%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
26.8%
ELA
28.2%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Johnston Elementary Compares

See how Johnston Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
44th percentile in NC
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

230 Johnston Boulevard, Asheville, NC 28806

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Johnston Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. West Buncombe Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ASHEVILLE WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Asheville, see our Asheville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
1 SCHOOL RD Asheville 0.9 mi
ELIADA ACADEMY Asheville 1.0 mi
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Asheville 1.0 mi 6.9
ASHEVILLE SCHOOL Asheville 1.4 mi 7.7
Lucy S. Herring Elementary Asheville 1.2 mi 7.8
THE NEW CLASSICAL ACADEMY Asheville 1.7 mi 6.1
Francine Delany New School Asheville 1.7 mi 4.8
CANTERBURY CLASSICAL SCHOOL Asheville 1.7 mi 5.4
TEMPLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Asheville 1.7 mi 4.5
Emma Elementary Asheville 1.8 mi 5.9
West Buncombe Elementary Asheville 2.1 mi 8.7
Eblen Intermediate Asheville 2.2 mi 5.0
Erwin Middle Asheville 2.2 mi 5.2
Asheville PEAK Academy Asheville 1.9 mi 6.9
Erwin High Asheville 2.3 mi 3.8
RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville 2.0 mi 8.4
ASHEVILLE WALDORF SCHOOL Asheville 2.0 mi 8.1
Sand Hill-Venable Elem Asheville 2.5 mi 5.8
IC Imagine Asheville 2.8 mi 4.4
Nesbitt Discovery Academy Asheville 2.5 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28806 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,925

Median Home Value

$335,800

Median Rent

$1,224/mo

Population

45,644

College Educated

44.5%

Homeownership

57.2%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

14%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Johnston Elementary has a median household income of $59,925. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $335,800, with a median rent of $1,224/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. 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
Everetts Elementary S.T.E.M. Academy Roanoke Rapids, NC 6.2
Forbush Elementary East Bend, NC 6.2
Morven Elementary Morven, NC 6.2
Quest Academy Raleigh, NC 6.2
Sunshine Elementary School Bostic, NC 6.2
Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington Wilmington, NC 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Johnston Elementary

What grades does Johnston Elementary serve?

Johnston Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Johnston Elementary?

Johnston Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 184 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Johnston Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Johnston Elementary is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Johnston Elementary rank in NC?

Johnston Elementary is ranked #1478 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Johnston Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Johnston Elementary has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Johnston Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Johnston Elementary has 21.9% math proficiency and 23.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Johnston Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Johnston Elementary a Title I school?

No, Johnston Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Johnston Elementary?

98.4% of students at Johnston 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

City Safety
High (4,723/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Asheville). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
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
#26 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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