Skip to main content

Average

#173 of 404 private schools in NC

Top 43% of private schools

The Learning Community School

Elementary School

1220 BEE TREE RD, Swannanoa, NC 28778

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NC statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

99

Student-Teacher

7.4:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Swannanoa

#1 of 2

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#48 of 124

About The Learning Community School

The Learning Community School serves 99 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Swannanoa, North Carolina. This small public school provides an intimate educational environment with an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1, supported by 13 full-time equivalent teachers who can offer personalized attention to each child. The school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10, reflecting its commitment to quality education despite ranking 280th out of 404 schools statewide.

This smaller elementary school focuses on fostering close relationships between educators and students, which can be particularly beneficial for young learners who thrive with individualized support. The school draws families from a community where the median household income is $67,992 and 31% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 13.2%, with median home values around $227,700, suggesting a stable residential community that values education.

Located on Bee Tree Road in the scenic Buncombe County area, The Learning Community School sits in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to broader community resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 99 students, The Learning 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 7.4:1, The Learning 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, The Learning 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
$21,019
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$21,355
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.02x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
82%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$4.2M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 99 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How The Learning Community School compares to the 4 public schools in Swannanoa, NC

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.4:1
This School
vs
12:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
99
This School
vs
360
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.6
This School
vs
5.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 81.8% vs 0%
Black 5.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 4% vs 0%
The Learning Community School Swannanoa Public Avg

All Schools in Swannanoa

School Rating
The Learning Community School (this school) 6.6
Williams Elementary 5.7
Community High School 5.5
Owen Middle 5.3
ArtSpace Charter School 7.1

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- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,155
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 32%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B+ 6.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 99
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 81.8%
Two or More 9.1%
Black 5.1%
Hispanic 4.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1220 BEE TREE RD, Swannanoa, NC 28778

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Learning Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bell Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fairview Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Fairview), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Haw Creek Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Swannanoa, see our Swannanoa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Swannanoa 2.0 mi 5.0
Williams Elementary Swannanoa 2.0 mi 5.7
Community High School Swannanoa 2.1 mi 5.5
Owen High Black Mountain 2.1 mi 5.0
Owen Middle Swannanoa 2.5 mi 5.3
ArtSpace Charter School Swannanoa 2.9 mi 7.1
BLACK MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI Black Mtn 3.9 mi
Black Mountain Primary Black Mountain 5.0 mi 6.5
Black Mountain Elementary Black Mountain 5.2 mi 6.9
Bell Elementary Asheville 5.7 mi 9.0
Evergreen Community Charter Asheville 5.6 mi 5.8
Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy Asheville 6.1 mi 2.5
Haw Creek Elementary Asheville 6.2 mi 8.3
Reynolds Middle Asheville 7.1 mi 6.5
Fairview Elementary Fairview 7.6 mi 8.8
Reynolds High Asheville 7.2 mi 5.2
Oakley Elementary Asheville 7.6 mi 5.8
Ira B Jones Elementary Asheville 8.0 mi 5.1
ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Asheville 8.2 mi 7.8
JULIA STREET MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville 8.3 mi

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Learning Community School has a median household income of $72,717. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $273,800, with a median rent of $1,004/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
BNAI SHALOM DAY SCHOOL Greensboro, NC 6.6
HILLSBOROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hillsborough, NC 6.5
HOPE ACADEMY GSO Greensboro, NC 6.5
Pine Hall Elementary School Pine Hall, NC 6.5
Wilmington Preparatory Academy Wilmington, NC 6.5
Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology Jacksonville, NC 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Learning Community School

What grades does The Learning Community School serve?

The Learning Community School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend The Learning Community School?

The Learning Community School has an enrollment of approximately 99 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Learning Community School?

The student-teacher ratio at The Learning Community School is 7.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does The Learning Community School rank in NC?

The Learning Community School is ranked #173 out of 404 private schools in NC.

What is The Learning Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

The Learning Community School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 The Learning Community School a private school?

Yes, The Learning 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 The Learning Community School a religious school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
99
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
165 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
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

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.