Average
#1125 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 42% in state
Pisgah Elementary
Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools
1495 Pisgah Hwy, Candler, NC 28715
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Candler
#2 of 6
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#872 of 1,474
In district
#19 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Pisgah Elementary
Pisgah Elementary is a charming rural school located in Candler, North Carolina, just off Pisgah Highway. Serving kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 167 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers. The MySchoolScout rating for Pisgah Elementary is 5.9 out of 10, placing it at the 56th percentile among North Carolina schools.
Academically, students perform above average in math, with 57% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards, while 46% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth. The rural setting of Pisgah Elementary offers a close-knit community feel, providing students with a nurturing environment that supports their learning journey.
Pisgah Elementary stands out as a welcoming place for young learners in its scenic rural surroundings near Candler.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 167 students, Pisgah Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Pisgah Elementary 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Pisgah Elementary — Students at Pisgah Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 5.1/10.
How Pisgah Elementary Compares
See how Pisgah Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 63.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 48.1% (2025).
Location
1495 Pisgah Hwy, Candler, NC 28715
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pisgah Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Candler Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Canton Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Canton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lucy S. Herring Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 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 | 9.1 |
| Enka High Candler | 4.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Hominy Valley Elementary Candler | 4.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Enka Middle Candler | 5.0 mi | 4.7 |
| MOUNT PISQAH ACADEMY Candler | 5.7 mi | 6.4 |
| ASHEVILLE-PISGAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Candler | 5.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary Canton | 5.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Enka Intermediate Candler | 6.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Sand Hill-Venable Elem Asheville | 6.2 mi | 5.8 |
| The Franklin School of Innovation Asheville | 6.3 mi | 5.4 |
| North Canton Elementary Canton | 6.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Pisgah High Canton | 6.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Canton Middle Canton | 6.4 mi | 7.8 |
| ASHEVILLE SCHOOL Asheville | 7.5 mi | 7.7 |
| IC Imagine Asheville | 7.3 mi | 4.4 |
| THE NEW CLASSICAL ACADEMY Asheville | 7.7 mi | 6.1 |
| 1 SCHOOL RD Asheville | 8.2 mi | — |
| Johnston Elementary Asheville | 8.5 mi | 6.2 |
| ELIADA ACADEMY Asheville | 9.3 mi | — |
| Lucy S. Herring Elementary Asheville | 8.9 mi | 7.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pisgah Elementary has a median household income of $70,950. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,900, with a median rent of $1,208/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. 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 |
|---|---|
| OUR LADY OF GRACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Greensboro, NC | 6.8 |
| Community School of Digital & Visual Art Durham, NC | 6.7 |
| ST LEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winston-Salem, NC | 6.7 |
| Tiller School Beaufort, NC | 6.7 |
| Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology Jacksonville, NC | 6.7 |
| Asheville PEAK Academy Asheville, NC | 6.9 |
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 is ranked #1125 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Pisgah Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pisgah Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Pisgah Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pisgah Elementary has 57.5% math proficiency and 46.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (828) 670-5023
- 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
- #19 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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