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Excellent

#12 of 404 private schools in NC

Top 3% of private schools

Rainbow Community School

Elementary School

574 HAYWOOD RD, Asheville, NC 28806

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 34 schools in Asheville. Learn more

Enrollment

164

Student-Teacher

6:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Asheville

#1 of 14

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#1 of 124

About Rainbow Community School

Rainbow Community School serves 164 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Asheville, North Carolina. This regular public elementary school stands out with an exceptional 6.0:1 student-teacher ratio, supported by 27 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide individualized attention to each child. The school has earned strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #156 out of 404 schools statewide, placing it in the 62nd percentile among North Carolina schools.

This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence across its pre-K through middle school program. Rainbow Community School draws families from a diverse neighborhood where 43% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income is $59,875. The area maintains a manageable poverty rate of 12.3%, with median home values around $304,000, indicating a stable residential community that values education.

Located on Haywood Road, the school benefits from its small city setting in Asheville, where students can experience both educational opportunities and the cultural richness of this vibrant North Carolina community. The combination of small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and an engaged neighborhood makes Rainbow Community School an appealing choice for families seeking personalized education in a supportive environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 164 students, Rainbow Community School 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, Rainbow Community School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Rainbow Community School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$18,934
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$20,165
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.06x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
90%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$4.9M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 164 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Rainbow Community School compares to 28 public schools serving similar grades in Asheville, NC

Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
This School
vs
13.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
164
This School
vs
413
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.4
This School
vs
6.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 77.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 9.1% vs 0%
Black 4.3% vs 0%
Asian 0.6% vs 0%
Rainbow Community School Asheville Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Rainbow Community School (this school) 8.4
Asheville PEAK Academy 6.9
Francine Delany New School 4.8
Hall Fletcher Elementary 7.3
Lucy S. Herring Elementary 7.8
Emma Elementary 5.9
Asheville Middle 6.8
Isaac Dickson Elementary 6.8
Early College 6.4
Middle College 5.3
Johnston Elementary 6.2
Montford North Star Academy 4.5
IC Imagine 4.4
Claxton Elementary 8.0
West Buncombe Elementary 8.7
Eblen Intermediate 5.0
Sand Hill-Venable Elem 5.8
The Franklin School of Innovation 5.4
Erwin Middle 5.2
Woodfin Elementary 4.1
Ira B Jones Elementary 5.1

Showing 20 of 28 schools. View all schools in Asheville

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NC.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,282.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 38%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 164
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in NC

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 77.4%
Hispanic 9.1%
Two or More 8.5%
Black 4.3%
Asian 0.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

574 HAYWOOD RD, Asheville, NC 28806

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rainbow Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASHEVILLE WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Lucy S. Herring Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Hall Fletcher Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Asheville, see our Asheville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Asheville PEAK Academy Asheville 0.1 mi 6.9
ASHEVILLE WALDORF SCHOOL Asheville 0.1 mi 8.1
CANTERBURY CLASSICAL SCHOOL Asheville 0.3 mi 5.4
Francine Delany New School Asheville 0.5 mi 4.8
TEMPLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Asheville 0.7 mi 4.5
Hall Fletcher Elementary Asheville 0.8 mi 7.3
Lucy S. Herring Elementary Asheville 0.8 mi 7.8
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Asheville 1.0 mi 6.9
Emma Elementary Asheville 1.4 mi 5.9
1 SCHOOL RD Asheville 1.5 mi
Isaac Dickson Elementary Asheville 1.7 mi 6.8
Asheville Middle Asheville 1.6 mi 6.8
Nesbitt Discovery Academy Asheville 2.0 mi 6.7
Early College Asheville 1.8 mi 6.4
Middle College Asheville 1.8 mi 5.3
THE NEW CLASSICAL ACADEMY Asheville 1.9 mi 6.1
Montford North Star Academy Asheville 2.0 mi 4.5
Asheville High Asheville 1.9 mi 6.5
Johnston Elementary Asheville 2.0 mi 6.2
School of Inquiry and Life Sciences Asheville 2.0 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28806 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,925

Median Home Value

$335,800

Median Rent

$1,224/mo

Population

45,644

College Educated

44.5%

Homeownership

57.2%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

14%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rainbow Community School has a median household income of $59,925. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $335,800, with a median rent of $1,224/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Blue Ridge School Cashiers, NC 8.4
East Bend Elementary East Bend, NC 8.4
Mabel Elementary Zionville, NC 8.4
Villa Heights Elementary Charlotte, NC 8.4
Bethel Elementary Sugar Grove, NC 8.3
Crossnore Elementary Crossnore, NC 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rainbow Community School

What grades does Rainbow Community School serve?

Rainbow Community School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Rainbow Community School?

Rainbow Community School has an enrollment of approximately 164 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rainbow Community School?

The student-teacher ratio at Rainbow Community School is 6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Rainbow Community School rank in NC?

Rainbow Community School is ranked #12 out of 404 private schools in NC.

What is Rainbow Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rainbow Community School has a composite rating of 8.4 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.

Is Rainbow Community School a private school?

Yes, Rainbow Community School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Rainbow Community School a religious school?

No, Rainbow Community School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
84 Very Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
63 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,723/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Asheville). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
164
Gender Split
46% M / 54% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
171 days
Setting
Small City
County
BUNCOMBE
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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