Average
#1077 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 41% in state
School of Inquiry and Life Sciences
High School · Asheville City Schools
419 McDowell Street, Asheville, NC 28803
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,077 of 2,648
In Asheville
#15 of 34
public schools
In district
#6 of 9
Asheville City Schools
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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School of Inquiry and Life Sciences
High School in Asheville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Asheville High
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Early College
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About School of Inquiry and Life Sciences
School of Inquiry and Life Sciences is a public high school in Asheville, NC, part of Asheville City Schools. School of Inquiry and Life Sciences serves approximately 352 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 25.1:1 student-teacher ratio. School of Inquiry and Life Sciences has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,077 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for School of Inquiry and Life Sciences show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 7.6
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
School of Inquiry and Life Sciences runs 25.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
32% of students at School of Inquiry and Life Sciences were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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School of Inquiry and Life Sciences — Students at School of Inquiry and Life Sciences score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 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: 6.6/10.
How School of Inquiry and Life Sciences Compares
See how School of Inquiry and Life Sciences performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
419 McDowell Street, Asheville, NC 28803
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering School of Inquiry and Life Sciences may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Nesbitt Discovery Academy (rated 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Asheville High (rated 8.3/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Early College (rated 8.0/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Asheville, see our Asheville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville High Asheville | 0.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Early College Asheville | 0.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Middle College Asheville | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Asheville Middle Asheville | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Hall Fletcher Elementary Asheville | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Isaac Dickson Elementary Asheville | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Montford North Star Academy Asheville | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| ASHEVILLE WALDORF SCHOOL Asheville | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
| RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Claxton Elementary Asheville | 2.4 mi | 7.5 |
| JULIA STREET MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville | 2.4 mi | — |
| Asheville PEAK Academy Asheville | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| CANTERBURY CLASSICAL SCHOOL Asheville | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| THE GOODALE SCHOOL Asheville | 2.7 mi | — |
| Oakley Elementary Asheville | 2.3 mi | 4.2 |
| ODYSSEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville | 2.7 mi | 7.5 |
| TEMPLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Asheville | 2.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Francine Delany New School Asheville | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| HANGER HALL SCHOOL Asheville | 2.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Nesbitt Discovery Academy Asheville | 2.9 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28803 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,638
Median Home Value
$408,600
Median Rent
$1,455/mo
Population
34,750
College Educated
50.4%
Homeownership
53.5%
Avg Commute
19.7 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Median Age
42.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hobbton High Newton Grove, NC | 6.7 |
| ST THOMAS MORE ACADEMY Raleigh, NC | 6.7 |
| Wayne Early / Middle College High Goldsboro, NC | 6.9 |
| Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Wilmington, NC | 7.0 |
| Hayesville High Hayesville, NC | 6.6 |
| SEA-Tech Castle Hayne, NC | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about School of Inquiry and Life Sciences
What grades does School of Inquiry and Life Sciences serve?
School of Inquiry and Life Sciences serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend School of Inquiry and Life Sciences?
School of Inquiry and Life Sciences has an enrollment of approximately 352 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at School of Inquiry and Life Sciences?
The student-teacher ratio at School of Inquiry and Life Sciences is 25.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does School of Inquiry and Life Sciences rank in NC?
School of Inquiry and Life Sciences ranks #1,077 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is School of Inquiry and Life Sciences's MySchoolScout rating?
School of Inquiry and Life Sciences has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 School of Inquiry and Life Sciences?
Based on loaded state assessment records, School of Inquiry and Life Sciences has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is School of Inquiry and Life Sciences a charter school?
No, School of Inquiry and Life Sciences is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is School of Inquiry and Life Sciences a Title I school?
No, School of Inquiry and Life Sciences is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for School of Inquiry and Life Sciences?
36.1% of students at School of Inquiry and Life Sciences qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 352
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Buncombe County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.5%
- Phone
- (828) 350-2700
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
Resources & Links
District
Asheville City Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,977
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,507
- District Rank
- #6 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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