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Average

#1542 of 2,648 schools in NC

Pisgah Elementary

Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools

1495 Pisgah Hwy, Candler, NC 28715

Enrollment

167

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,542 of 2,648

In Candler

#5 of 6

public schools

In district

#29 of 45

Buncombe County Schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Pisgah Elementary

5.9/10

Elementary School in Candler · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Candler Elementary

6.5/10

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

Enka High

7.7/10

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

About Pisgah Elementary

Pisgah Elementary is a public elementary school in Candler, NC, part of Buncombe County Schools. Pisgah Elementary serves approximately 167 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Pisgah Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,542 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Pisgah Elementary show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 167 students, Pisgah Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Pisgah Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.25 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.3% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.5 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,585
Chronic Absenteeism22.8%

Pisgah Elementary — Students at Pisgah Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.5% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 55.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 34 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
87%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
68.8%
ELA
53%
2025
Math
62.8%
ELA
48.7%

* 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 Pisgah Elementary Compares

See how Pisgah Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
42th percentile in NC
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.8%

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

1495 Pisgah Hwy, Candler, NC 28715

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pisgah Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Canton Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Canton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hominy Valley Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lucy S. Herring Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Candler, see our Candler schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Candler Elementary Candler 3.0 mi 6.5
Enka High Candler 4.1 mi 7.7
Hominy Valley Elementary Candler 4.3 mi 6.9
Enka Middle Candler 5.0 mi 4.5
MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY Candler 5.7 mi 6.5
ASHEVILLE-PISGAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Candler 5.7 mi 4.6
Meadowbrook Elementary Canton 5.4 mi 5.7
Enka Intermediate Candler 6.0 mi 7.5
Sand Hill-Venable Elem Asheville 6.2 mi 5.1
The Franklin School of Innovation Asheville 6.3 mi 6.5
North Canton Elementary Canton 6.5 mi 8.3
Pisgah High Canton 6.3 mi 8.1
Canton Middle Canton 6.4 mi 6.1
ASHEVILLE SCHOOL Asheville 7.5 mi 7.7
IC Imagine Asheville 7.3 mi 6.3
THE NEW CLASSICAL ACADEMY Asheville 7.7 mi 6.1
1 SCHOOL RD Asheville 8.2 mi
Johnston Elementary Asheville 8.5 mi 3.2
ELIADA ACADEMY Asheville 9.3 mi
Lucy S. Herring Elementary Asheville 8.9 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28715 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,950

Median Home Value

$291,900

Median Rent

$1,208/mo

Population

28,770

College Educated

31.5%

Homeownership

71.6%

Avg Commute

22.8 min

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Median Age

41.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Sugar Loaf Elementary Taylorsville, NC 5.9
FIRST IMPRESSIONS ACADEMY Fayetteville, NC 6.0
Francine Delany New School Asheville, NC 6.0
OPENDOOR SCHOOL Winterville, NC 6.0
OUR LADY OF MERCY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winston-Salem, NC 6.0
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cary, NC 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pisgah Elementary

What grades does Pisgah Elementary serve?

Pisgah Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Pisgah Elementary?

Pisgah Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 167 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pisgah Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Pisgah Elementary is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pisgah Elementary rank in NC?

Pisgah Elementary ranks #1,542 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Pisgah Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Pisgah Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Pisgah Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pisgah Elementary has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Pisgah Elementary a charter school?

No, Pisgah Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pisgah Elementary a Title I school?

No, Pisgah Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pisgah Elementary?

98.2% of students at Pisgah 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Buncombe County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.8%

District

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

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