Average
#2124 of 2,648 schools in NC
Owen High
High School · Buncombe County Schools
99 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Enrollment
683
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
683
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Black Mountain
#3 of 3
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#346 of 579
In district
#39 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
About Owen High
Owen High serves 683 students in grades 9-12 in Black Mountain, North Carolina, earning a solid 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide at #572 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools. With 43 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful individual attention. Academically, Owen High demonstrates strong performance with 62% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 51% reach proficiency in Math.
The school's 7.7 out of 10 academic score reflects consistent educational outcomes that serve students well in their college and career preparation. The school draws from a stable, educated community where 53% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income of $69,922 supports family engagement in education. With a low poverty rate of 8.4% and median home values around $320,900, the area reflects a community that values educational investment.
Owen High sits in a rural setting near Black Mountain, offering students the benefits of small-town connections while maintaining access to the broader educational and cultural opportunities of the Blue Ridge Mountain region.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Owen High 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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Owen High — Students at Owen High score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.9/10.
How Owen High Compares
See how Owen High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 30.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 62.2% (2025).
Location
99 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Owen High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Community High School (rated 5.5/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Swannanoa), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Reynolds High (rated 5.2/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Asheville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Black Mountain, see our Black Mountain schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Owen Middle Swannanoa | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Williams Elementary Swannanoa | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| BLACK MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI Black Mtn | 1.9 mi | — |
| Community High School Swannanoa | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| THE LEARNING COMMUNITY SCHOOL Swannanoa | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Swannanoa | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Black Mountain Primary Black Mountain | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Black Mountain Elementary Black Mountain | 3.3 mi | 6.9 |
| ArtSpace Charter School Swannanoa | 3.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Fairview Elementary Fairview | 7.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Bell Elementary Asheville | 7.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Reynolds Middle Asheville | 7.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Reynolds High Asheville | 7.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Evergreen Community Charter Asheville | 7.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy Asheville | 7.6 mi | 2.5 |
| Haw Creek Elementary Asheville | 7.6 mi | 8.3 |
| TIMBERSONG ACADEMY - BAT CAVE Hendersonville | 9.9 mi | — |
| Cane Creek Middle Fletcher | 9.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Oakley Elementary Asheville | 8.7 mi | 5.8 |
| TRINITY OF FAIRVIEW ACADEMY Fletcher | 10.2 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28711 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,177
Median Home Value
$358,400
Median Rent
$1,319/mo
Population
12,579
College Educated
54.1%
Homeownership
70.3%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Median Age
57.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Owen High has a median household income of $69,177. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $358,400, with a median rent of $1,319/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| East Rutherford High School Forest City, NC | 5.0 |
| Louisburg Magnet High Louisburg, NC | 5.0 |
| T Wingate Andrews High High Point, NC | 5.0 |
| Union High Rose Hill, NC | 5.0 |
| Eastern Wayne High Goldsboro, NC | 5.1 |
| Fred T Foard High Newton, NC | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Owen High
What grades does Owen High serve?
Owen High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Owen High?
Owen High has an enrollment of approximately 683 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Owen High?
The student-teacher ratio at Owen High is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Owen High rank in NC?
Owen High is ranked #2124 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Owen High's MySchoolScout rating?
Owen High has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Owen High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Owen High has 49.8% math proficiency and 60.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Owen High a charter school?
No, Owen High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Owen High a Title I school?
No, Owen High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Owen High?
99.6% of students at Owen High 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
- Elevated (1,238/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Black Mountain). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 683
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Buncombe County
- Phone
- (828) 686-3852
- 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
- #39 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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