Skip to main content

Average

#1703 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

5.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,703 of 2,648

In Swannanoa

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#33 of 45

Buncombe County Schools

School environment

9.0 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Owen Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Owen Middle

5.6/10

Middle School in Swannanoa · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Owen High

7.1/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Williams Elementary

4.2/10

1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Owen Middle

Owen Middle is a public middle school in Swannanoa, NC, part of Buncombe County Schools. Owen Middle serves approximately 435 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Owen Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,703 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Owen Middle show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 5.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-20.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.1 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,585
Chronic Absenteeism29.2%

Owen Middle — Students at Owen Middle score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 49.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
77%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
38%
ELA
48%
2013
Math
33%
ELA
45%
2014
Math
34%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
44%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
50%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
54%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
38.8%
ELA
42.1%
2025
Math
36.6%
ELA
42.3%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Owen Middle Compares

See how Owen Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
36th percentile in NC
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.6/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Fletcher), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Reynolds Middle (rated 5.8/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Asheville), with a very similar rating. 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 7.1
Williams Elementary Swannanoa 1.6 mi 4.2
Community High School Swannanoa 1.7 mi 4.6
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 6.5
Black Mountain Primary Black Mountain 3.3 mi 5.4
Black Mountain Elementary Black Mountain 3.6 mi 6.3
Fairview Elementary Fairview 6.2 mi 8.8
Reynolds Middle Asheville 7.0 mi 5.8
Reynolds High Asheville 7.1 mi 7.8
Bell Elementary Asheville 6.7 mi 8.5
Evergreen Community Charter Asheville 7.0 mi 6.1
Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy Asheville 7.3 mi 2.7
Haw Creek Elementary Asheville 7.4 mi 7.8
TIMBERSONG ACADEMY - BAT CAVE Hendersonville 9.1 mi
Cane Creek Middle Fletcher 9.1 mi 7.6
Oakley Elementary Asheville 8.3 mi 4.2
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
East Rutherford Middle School Bostic, NC 5.6
John Chavis Middle School Cherryville, NC 5.6
North Johnston Middle Micro, NC 5.6
Northeastern Randolph Middle School Liberty, NC 5.6
River Bend Middle Claremont, NC 5.6
Rosewood Middle Goldsboro, NC 5.6

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 ranks #1,703 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Owen Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Owen Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Owen Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Owen Middle has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.2%

District

Buncombe County Schools
District Enrollment
22,172
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,585
District Rank
#33 of 45

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.