Average
#1987 of 2,648 schools in NC
Owen Middle
Middle School · Buncombe County Schools
730 Old US 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Enrollment
435
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
435
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Swannanoa
#4 of 4
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#336 of 475
In district
#35 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Owen Middle
Owen Middle, located in Swannanoa, North Carolina, serves students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 435 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, Owen Middle provides a focused learning environment with 34 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a large suburban area, offering a blend of community resources and educational opportunities.
Owen Middle's MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 places it at the 19th percentile among North Carolina schools, indicating that there are many higher-ranked options available but also room for academic growth. The school’s state ranking is #2164 out of 2661 middle schools in North Carolina. In terms of test performance, 44% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 37% meet proficiency standards in Math.
These scores suggest that Owen Middle focuses on student development and improvement. Owen Middle is part of the Buncombe County school system and serves a community near Swannanoa’s main thoroughfares and residential areas.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Owen Middle — Students at Owen Middle score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
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: 3.2/10.
How Owen Middle Compares
See how Owen Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 36.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42.1% (2025).
Location
730 Old US 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Owen Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cane Creek Middle (rated 8.2/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Fletcher), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Reynolds Middle (rated 6.5/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Swannanoa, see our Swannanoa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Owen High Black Mountain | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Williams Elementary Swannanoa | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Community High School Swannanoa | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Swannanoa | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| BLACK MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI Black Mtn | 2.1 mi | — |
| THE LEARNING COMMUNITY SCHOOL Swannanoa | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| ArtSpace Charter School Swannanoa | 3.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Black Mountain Primary Black Mountain | 3.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Black Mountain Elementary Black Mountain | 3.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Fairview Elementary Fairview | 6.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Reynolds Middle Asheville | 7.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Reynolds High Asheville | 7.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Bell Elementary Asheville | 6.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Evergreen Community Charter Asheville | 7.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy Asheville | 7.3 mi | 2.5 |
| Haw Creek Elementary Asheville | 7.4 mi | 8.3 |
| TIMBERSONG ACADEMY - BAT CAVE Hendersonville | 9.1 mi | — |
| Cane Creek Middle Fletcher | 9.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Oakley Elementary Asheville | 8.3 mi | 5.8 |
| TRINITY OF FAIRVIEW ACADEMY Fletcher | 9.4 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28778 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,717
Median Home Value
$273,800
Median Rent
$1,004/mo
Population
11,933
College Educated
32.4%
Homeownership
79.6%
Avg Commute
17.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.2%
Median Age
41.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Owen Middle has a median household income of $72,717. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $273,800, with a median rent of $1,004/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| China Grove Middle China Grove, NC | 5.3 |
| E Lawson Brown Middle Thomasville, NC | 5.3 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory, NC | 5.3 |
| Hertford County Middle Murfreesboro, NC | 5.3 |
| N L Dillard Middle Yanceyville, NC | 5.3 |
| Newport Middle Newport, NC | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Owen Middle
What grades does Owen Middle serve?
Owen Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Owen Middle?
Owen Middle has an enrollment of approximately 435 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Owen Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Owen Middle is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Owen Middle rank in NC?
Owen Middle is ranked #1987 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Owen Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Owen Middle has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Owen Middle has 36.7% math proficiency and 43.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Owen Middle a charter school?
No, Owen Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Owen Middle a Title I school?
No, Owen Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Owen Middle?
99.3% of students at Owen Middle 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 (518/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 435
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Buncombe County
- Phone
- (828) 686-7739
- 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
- #35 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.