Average
#1788 of 2,648 schools in NC
Mars Hill Elementary
Elementary School · Madison County Schools
200 School House Lane, Mars Hill, NC 28754
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,207 of 1,474
In district
#5 of 6
Madison County Schools
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Mars Hill Elementary
Mars Hill Elementary is a rural public school nestled in the heart of Mars Hill, North Carolina. With an enrollment of 477 students, the school offers a personalized learning environment with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.9:1, ensuring that each child receives individualized attention and support. The dedicated teaching staff comprises 32 full-time equivalent teachers committed to fostering academic growth and social development.
While Mars Hill Elementary has room for improvement in its current state ranking at #1697 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina (36th percentile) with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8/10, the school continues to focus on student development across various subjects. Students have shown encouraging performance levels, with 50% proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 55% meeting proficiency standards in math. Located in a serene rural setting near the town of Mars Hill, Mars Hill Elementary provides students with a nurturing educational environment that balances academic rigor with community involvement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mars Hill 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
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Mars Hill Elementary — Students at Mars Hill Elementary score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 3.6/10.
How Mars Hill Elementary Compares
See how Mars Hill Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 57.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 49% (2025).
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. Barnardsville Elementary (rated 9.6/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Barnardsville), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Buncombe Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Weaverville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores notably 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 | 8.0 |
| North Buncombe High Weaverville | 6.6 mi | 5.7 |
| TIMBERSONG ACADEMY Weaverville | 6.5 mi | — |
| North Windy Ridge Intermediate Weaverville | 7.5 mi | 7.0 |
| WOLF CREEK ACADEMY Mars Hill | 7.5 mi | — |
| Barnardsville Elementary Barnardsville | 6.6 mi | 9.6 |
| North Buncombe Middle Weaverville | 8.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Madison Velocity Learning Center Marshall | 6.9 mi | — |
| Madison High School Marshall | 6.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Madison Early College High Marshall | 7.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Weaverville Primary Weaverville | 9.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Weaverville Elementary Weaverville | 10.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Brush Creek Elementary Marshall | 9.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Madison Middle School Marshall | 9.2 mi | 7.8 |
| 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 | 7.0 |
| Blue Ridge Elementary Burnsville | 11.5 mi | 3.5 |
| ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Asheville | 14.0 mi | 7.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mars Hill Elementary has a median household income of $68,750. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,700, with a median rent of $841/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Balfour Elementary Asheboro, NC | 5.7 |
| Cape Hatteras Elementary School Buxton, NC | 5.7 |
| Clement Elementary Autryville, NC | 5.7 |
| Haw River Elementary Haw River, NC | 5.7 |
| Indian Trail Elementary Indian Trail, NC | 5.7 |
| Long Mill Elementary Youngsville, NC | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #1788 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mars Hill Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mars Hill Elementary has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Mars Hill Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mars Hill Elementary has 54.6% math proficiency and 50.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (328/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 689-2922
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Madison County Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,130
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,167
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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
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