Average
#1177 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 44% in state
Nesbitt Discovery Academy
High School · Buncombe County Schools
175 Bingham Rd Ste 10, Asheville, NC 28806
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Asheville
#11 of 34
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#99 of 579
In district
#20 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Nesbitt Discovery Academy
Nesbitt Discovery Academy stands out as an exceptional high school serving grades 9-12 in Asheville, North Carolina. With 379 students and 18 full-time teachers, the school maintains a 21:1 student-teacher ratio while delivering remarkable academic results that place it among the state's top performers. The school's academic excellence is evident in its outstanding test scores, with 96% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels.
This exceptional performance has earned Nesbitt Discovery Academy a ranking of #203 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile of North Carolina high schools with an impressive 9.8/10 academic score. Students benefit from a supportive learning environment that consistently produces strong outcomes. The school's success reflects both dedicated teaching and an engaged student body working together toward academic achievement.
Located on Bingham Road in the 28806 ZIP code area, Nesbitt Discovery Academy serves a diverse community where 43% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood, with a median household income of $59,875 and median home values around $304,000, provides a stable foundation for the school's continued excellence in this vibrant small city setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Nesbitt Discovery Academy is 21.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Nesbitt Discovery Academy — Students at Nesbitt Discovery Academy score 96% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 3.4/10.
How Nesbitt Discovery Academy Compares
See how Nesbitt Discovery Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 97.5% (2019) to 96.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 97.5% (2019) to 95.7% (2025).
Location
175 Bingham Rd Ste 10, Asheville, NC 28806
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nesbitt Discovery Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ASHEVILLE WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Claxton Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Asheville, see our Asheville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Emma Elementary Asheville | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| HAWTHORN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville | 1.0 mi | — |
| THE GOODALE SCHOOL Asheville | 0.9 mi | — |
| ODYSSEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| TEMPLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Asheville | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Isaac Dickson Elementary Asheville | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Montford North Star Academy Asheville | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| FRENCH BROAD RIVER ACADEMY-GIRLS CAMPUS Asheville | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Woodfin Elementary Asheville | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| HANGER HALL SCHOOL Asheville | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Asheville PEAK Academy Asheville | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| ASHEVILLE WALDORF SCHOOL Asheville | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
| EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Asheville | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Claxton Elementary Asheville | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Asheville Middle Asheville | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| CANTERBURY CLASSICAL SCHOOL Asheville | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| JULIA STREET MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville | 1.8 mi | — |
| FRENCH BROAD RIVER ACADEMY-BOYS Asheville | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Hall Fletcher Elementary Asheville | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28806 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,925
Median Home Value
$335,800
Median Rent
$1,224/mo
Population
45,644
College Educated
44.5%
Homeownership
57.2%
Avg Commute
20.7 min
Poverty Rate
14%
Median Age
38.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nesbitt Discovery Academy has a median household income of $59,925. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $335,800, with a median rent of $1,224/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Cumberland Polytechnic Fayetteville, NC | 6.7 |
| ST THOMAS MORE ACADEMY Raleigh, NC | 6.7 |
| Lee Early College Sanford, NC | 6.8 |
| Rowan Co Early College Salisbury, NC | 6.8 |
| Elkin High Elkin, NC | 6.6 |
| Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory, NC | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nesbitt Discovery Academy
What grades does Nesbitt Discovery Academy serve?
Nesbitt Discovery Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Nesbitt Discovery Academy?
Nesbitt Discovery Academy has an enrollment of approximately 379 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nesbitt Discovery Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Nesbitt Discovery Academy is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nesbitt Discovery Academy rank in NC?
Nesbitt Discovery Academy is ranked #1177 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Nesbitt Discovery Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Nesbitt Discovery Academy has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Nesbitt Discovery Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nesbitt Discovery Academy has 96.2% math proficiency and 96.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nesbitt Discovery Academy a charter school?
No, Nesbitt Discovery Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Nesbitt Discovery Academy a Title I school?
No, Nesbitt Discovery Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nesbitt Discovery Academy?
17.9% of students at Nesbitt Discovery Academy 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
- City Safety
- High (4,723/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Asheville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 379
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Buncombe County
- Phone
- (828) 271-4521
- 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
- #20 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
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