Average
#1237 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 47% in state
Mills River Elementary
Elementary School · Henderson County Schools
94 School House Road, Mills River, NC 28759
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mills River
#2 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#938 of 1,474
In district
#8 of 23
Henderson County Schools
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Mills River Elementary
Mills River Elementary serves 579 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Mills River, North Carolina, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a ranking of #326 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile, the school demonstrates strong academic achievement across core subjects. Students at Mills River Elementary show impressive proficiency rates, with 77% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics and 66% performing proficiently in English Language Arts and reading.
The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers, supporting personalized attention for students across all grade levels. The school's success reflects its supportive community environment in Henderson County. Located in the 28759 ZIP code area, Mills River Elementary serves families in a well-educated neighborhood where 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $80,566.
The low poverty rate of just 3.1% indicates a stable community foundation that supports student learning. Mills River Elementary's location on School House Road places it in the heart of a large suburban area, providing students with access to both educational resources and the natural beauty that defines western North Carolina's landscape.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Mills River Elementary — Students at Mills River Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
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: 5.3/10.
How Mills River Elementary Compares
See how Mills River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 66% (2019) to 76.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 66% (2019) to 65.9% (2025).
Location
94 School House Road, Mills River, NC 28759
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mills River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Etowah Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Etowah), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Estes Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Glenn C Marlow Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Mills River, see our Mills River schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MILLS RIVER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Mills River | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Glenn C Marlow Elementary Mills River | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| WILD OAK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL Hendersonville | 2.6 mi | — |
| West Henderson High Hendersonville | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Rugby Middle Hendersonville | 3.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Etowah Elementary Etowah | 4.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Fletcher Elementary Fletcher | 4.5 mi | 6.8 |
| CAPTAIN GILMER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fletcher | 4.5 mi | 5.3 |
| FernLeaf Fletcher | 5.0 mi | 6.8 |
| FLETCHER ACADEMY Fletcher | 4.7 mi | 6.7 |
| STONEY MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hendersonville | 4.9 mi | — |
| VERITAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fletcher | 5.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Avery's Creek Elementary Arden | 7.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Hendersonville Elementary Hendersonville | 6.4 mi | 6.6 |
| MONTESSORI COUNTRY DAY Hendersonville | 6.4 mi | — |
| Hendersonville Middle Hendersonville | 6.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Koontz Intermediate Asheville | 7.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Valley Springs Middle Arden | 7.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Roberson High Asheville | 7.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Estes Elementary Asheville | 7.8 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28759 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,984
Median Home Value
$364,900
Median Rent
$1,611/mo
Population
7,564
College Educated
42.6%
Homeownership
86.7%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Median Age
46.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mills River Elementary has a median household income of $88,984. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $364,900, with a median rent of $1,611/month. The local poverty rate of 2.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Classical Charter Schools of Southport Bolivia, NC | 6.6 |
| Forest View Elementary Durham, NC | 6.6 |
| Grays Chapel Elementary School Franklinville, NC | 6.6 |
| Isenberg Elementary Salisbury, NC | 6.6 |
| Marvin Elementary Marvin, NC | 6.6 |
| Mineral Springs Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mills River Elementary
What grades does Mills River Elementary serve?
Mills River Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Mills River Elementary?
Mills River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 579 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mills River Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Mills River Elementary is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mills River Elementary rank in NC?
Mills River Elementary is ranked #1237 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mills River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mills River Elementary has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Mills River Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mills River Elementary has 73.3% math proficiency and 64.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mills River Elementary a charter school?
No, Mills River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mills River Elementary a Title I school?
No, Mills River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mills River Elementary?
99.5% of students at Mills River 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 (689/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 579
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Henderson County
- Phone
- (828) 891-6563
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Henderson County Schools- District Enrollment
- 12,660
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,579
- District Rank
- #8 of 23
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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