Skip to main content

Average

#1430 of 2,648 schools in NC

Leicester Elementary

Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools

31 Gilbert Road, Leicester, NC 28748

Enrollment

394

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,430 of 2,648

In district

#27 of 45

Buncombe County Schools

Equity

7.5 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Leicester 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.

Leicester Elementary

6.1/10

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

Erwin Middle

4.6/10

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

Erwin High

6.0/10

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

About Leicester Elementary

Leicester Elementary is a public elementary school in Leicester, NC, part of Buncombe County Schools. Leicester Elementary serves approximately 394 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Leicester Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,430 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Leicester Elementary show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Leicester Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

37% of students at Leicester 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 Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-10.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.4 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,585
Chronic Absenteeism37.1%

Leicester Elementary — Students at Leicester Elementary score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.5% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 48.2% (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
83%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
48.8%
ELA
39.4%
2025
Math
53%
ELA
51.2%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How Leicester Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
46th percentile in NC
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.1%

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

31 Gilbert Road, Leicester, NC 28748

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Leicester Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. West Buncombe Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores notably higher. Another option is EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Candler Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Candler), which scores slightly higher. 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 4.6
Erwin High Asheville 5.3 mi 6.0
West Buncombe Elementary Asheville 5.6 mi 8.7
Eblen Intermediate Asheville 5.6 mi 5.8
MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY Candler 6.5 mi 6.5
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 3.2
Enka Middle Candler 7.7 mi 4.5
Candler Elementary Candler 8.3 mi 6.5
Sand Hill-Venable Elem Asheville 8.2 mi 5.1
ASHEVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville 7.0 mi
Woodfin Elementary Asheville 7.1 mi 3.4
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 4.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Eastway Elementary Durham, NC 6.1
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Greensboro, NC 6.1
Eno Valley Elementary Durham, NC 6.1
Evergreen Community Charter Asheville, NC 6.1
FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia, NC 6.1
Fairview Elementary High Point, NC 6.1

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 ranks #1,430 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Leicester Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Leicester Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Leicester Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Leicester Elementary has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.1%

District

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

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.