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Needs Improvement

#2535 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

3.2

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,535 of 2,648

In Asheville

#33 of 34

public schools

In district

#44 of 45

Buncombe County Schools

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Johnston Elementary

3.2/10

Elementary School in Asheville · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

1 School Rd

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

Eliada Academy

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

About Johnston Elementary

Johnston Elementary is a public elementary school in Asheville, NC, part of Buncombe County Schools. Johnston Elementary serves approximately 184 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Johnston Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,535 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Johnston Elementary show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 184 students, Johnston Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

43% of students at Johnston 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 Progress1.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-37 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.4 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-19.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,585
Chronic Absenteeism42.9%

Johnston Elementary — Students at Johnston Elementary score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

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 32.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.5% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 31.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (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
72%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
20.2%
ELA
20.2%
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: 1.7/10.

How Johnston Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.2/10
4th percentile in NC
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.9%

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

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 6.6
THE NEW CLASSICAL ACADEMY Asheville 1.7 mi 6.1
Francine Delany New School Asheville 1.7 mi 6.0
CANTERBURY CLASSICAL SCHOOL Asheville 1.7 mi 5.4
TEMPLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Asheville 1.7 mi 4.5
Emma Elementary Asheville 1.8 mi 4.9
West Buncombe Elementary Asheville 2.1 mi 8.7
Eblen Intermediate Asheville 2.2 mi 5.8
Erwin Middle Asheville 2.2 mi 4.6
Asheville PEAK Academy Asheville 1.9 mi 6.8
Erwin High Asheville 2.3 mi 6.0
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 5.1
IC Imagine Asheville 2.8 mi 6.3
Nesbitt Discovery Academy Asheville 2.5 mi 8.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Gillespie Park Elementary Greensboro, NC 3.2
Mount Gilead Elementary Mount Gilead, NC 3.2
Pasquotank Elementary Elizabeth City, NC 3.3
Woodfin Elementary Asheville, NC 3.4
South Elementary Mebane, NC 2.9
London Elementary School Walnut Cove, NC 3.6

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 ranks #2,535 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Johnston Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Johnston Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Johnston Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Johnston Elementary has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
8 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.9%

District

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

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