Very Good
#826 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 31% in state
Leicester Elementary
Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools
31 Gilbert Road, Leicester, NC 28748
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#676 of 1,474
In district
#12 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Leicester Elementary
Leicester Elementary is a regular public school located in Leicester, North Carolina, part of Buncombe County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 394 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is rural yet conveniently situated near the town of Leicester.
Leicester Elementary’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, placing it at the 49th percentile among North Carolina schools. Academically, the school scores a 5.1 on the scale and has proficiency rates of 48% in ELA/Reading and 47% in Math across all grades. While these numbers suggest there is room for academic growth, Leicester Elementary focuses on supporting its students’ development through dedicated teaching staff.
Leicester Elementary stands as an integral part of the local community, offering a warm learning environment to its rural setting near the town of Leicester.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Leicester Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Leicester Elementary — Students at Leicester Elementary score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How Leicester Elementary Compares
See how Leicester Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 52.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 51% (2025).
Location
31 Gilbert Road, Leicester, NC 28748
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Leicester Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Candler Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Candler), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Buncombe Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Asheville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Leicester, see our Leicester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Erwin Middle Asheville | 5.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Erwin High Asheville | 5.3 mi | 3.8 |
| West Buncombe Elementary Asheville | 5.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Eblen Intermediate Asheville | 5.6 mi | 5.0 |
| MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY Candler | 6.5 mi | 6.4 |
| ASHEVILLE-PISGAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Candler | 6.6 mi | 4.6 |
| ELIADA ACADEMY Asheville | 6.4 mi | — |
| FRENCH BROAD RIVER ACADEMY-BOYS Asheville | 6.3 mi | 6.1 |
| FRENCH BROAD RIVER ACADEMY-GIRLS CAMPUS Asheville | 6.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Johnston Elementary Asheville | 7.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Enka Middle Candler | 7.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Candler Elementary Candler | 8.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Sand Hill-Venable Elem Asheville | 8.2 mi | 5.8 |
| ASHEVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville | 7.0 mi | — |
| Woodfin Elementary Asheville | 7.1 mi | 4.1 |
| ASHEVILLE SCHOOL Asheville | 7.9 mi | 7.7 |
| 1 SCHOOL RD Asheville | 7.9 mi | — |
| EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Asheville | 7.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Emma Elementary Asheville | 7.7 mi | 5.9 |
| REYNOLDS MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADENY Asheville | 7.4 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28748 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,269
Median Home Value
$298,200
Median Rent
$1,078/mo
Population
12,922
College Educated
22.8%
Homeownership
75.4%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Leicester Elementary has a median household income of $65,269. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $298,200, with a median rent of $1,078/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Acme Delco Elementary Riegelwood, NC | 7.3 |
| Albert H Bangert Elementary New Bern, NC | 7.3 |
| Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville, NC | 7.3 |
| Brentwood Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.3 |
| Brevard Elementary Brevard, NC | 7.3 |
| Carthage Elementary Carthage, NC | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Leicester Elementary
What grades does Leicester Elementary serve?
Leicester Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Leicester Elementary?
Leicester Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 394 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Leicester Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Leicester Elementary is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Leicester Elementary rank in NC?
Leicester Elementary is ranked #826 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Leicester Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Leicester Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Leicester Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Leicester Elementary has 46.6% math proficiency and 47.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Leicester Elementary a charter school?
No, Leicester Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Leicester Elementary a Title I school?
No, Leicester Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Leicester Elementary?
99.2% of students at Leicester 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
- 394
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Buncombe County
- Phone
- (828) 683-2341
- 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
- #12 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
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.