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Very Good

#854 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 32% in state

Mars Hill Elementary

Elementary School · Madison County Schools

200 School House Lane, Mars Hill, NC 28754

Enrollment

477

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#854 of 2,648

In district

#6 of 6

Madison County Schools

Equity

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Mars Hill Elementary

7.2/10

Elementary School in Mars Hill · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

North Buncombe Elementary

7.3/10

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

North Buncombe High

7.9/10

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

About Mars Hill Elementary

Mars Hill Elementary is a public elementary school in Mars Hill, NC, part of Madison County Schools. Mars Hill Elementary serves approximately 477 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Mars Hill Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #854 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Mars Hill Elementary show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.7
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Mars Hill 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.

32% of students at Mars Hill 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 Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-6.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.4 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,167
Chronic Absenteeism31.9%

Mars Hill Elementary — Students at Mars Hill Elementary score 53% 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

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 55.3% (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
87%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
38%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
59%
ELA
54%
2015
Math
53%
ELA
56%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
56%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
45%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
58.8%
ELA
53.7%
2025
Math
57.4%
ELA
48.9%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Mars Hill Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
68th percentile in NC
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.9%

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

200 School House Lane, Mars Hill, NC 28754

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mars Hill Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Weaverville Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Weaverville), which scores notably higher. Another option is ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Brush Creek Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Marshall), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Mars Hill, see our Mars Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
North Buncombe Elementary Weaverville 6.2 mi 7.3
North Buncombe High Weaverville 6.6 mi 7.9
TIMBERSONG ACADEMY Weaverville 6.5 mi
North Windy Ridge Intermediate Weaverville 7.5 mi 8.1
WOLF CREEK ACADEMY Mars Hill 7.5 mi
Barnardsville Elementary Barnardsville 6.6 mi 7.6
North Buncombe Middle Weaverville 8.2 mi 8.4
Madison Velocity Learning Center Marshall 6.9 mi
Madison High School Marshall 6.9 mi 7.9
Madison Early College High Marshall 7.0 mi 7.9
Weaverville Primary Weaverville 9.7 mi 6.9
Weaverville Elementary Weaverville 10.0 mi 8.8
Brush Creek Elementary Marshall 9.1 mi 7.8
Madison Middle School Marshall 9.2 mi 8.0
ASHEVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville 12.0 mi
REYNOLDS MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADENY Asheville 13.0 mi 7.2
CHANGING HEARTS BOARDING SCHOOL Marshall 10.7 mi
Cane River Middle Burnsville 11.2 mi 5.6
Blue Ridge Elementary Burnsville 11.5 mi 3.4
ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Asheville 14.0 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28754 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,750

Median Home Value

$289,700

Median Rent

$841/mo

Population

9,897

College Educated

32.4%

Homeownership

76.3%

Avg Commute

30.1 min

Poverty Rate

12.4%

Median Age

39.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Battleground Elementary Lincolnton, NC 7.2
Bostian Elementary China Grove, NC 7.2
Brentwood Elementary Raleigh, NC 7.2
Carver Elementary Mount Olive, NC 7.2
Coopers Elementary Elm City, NC 7.2
Eastern Elementary Washington, NC 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mars Hill Elementary

What grades does Mars Hill Elementary serve?

Mars Hill Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Mars Hill Elementary?

Mars Hill Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 477 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mars Hill Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Mars Hill Elementary is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mars Hill Elementary rank in NC?

Mars Hill Elementary ranks #854 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Mars Hill Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Mars Hill Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Mars Hill Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mars Hill Elementary has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Mars Hill Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Mars Hill Elementary a Title I school?

No, Mars Hill Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

99.4% of students at Mars Hill 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
3 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Madison County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.9%

District

Madison County Schools
District Enrollment
2,130
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,167
District Rank
#6 of 6

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