Average
#1017 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 38% in state
Valley Springs Middle
Middle School · Buncombe County Schools
224 Long Shoals Road, Arden, NC 28704
Enrollment
634
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
634
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,017 of 2,648
In Arden
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#22 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Valley Springs Middle
Middle School in Arden · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Koontz Intermediate
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Estes Elementary
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Valley Springs Middle
Valley Springs Middle is a public middle school in Arden, NC, part of Buncombe County Schools. Valley Springs Middle serves approximately 634 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley Springs Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,017 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Valley Springs Middle show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.9 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- NC avg 5.7
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Valley Springs Middle — Students at Valley Springs Middle score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 34 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.8/10.
How Valley Springs Middle Compares
See how Valley Springs Middle 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
224 Long Shoals Road, Arden, NC 28704
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valley Springs Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Koontz Intermediate (rated 7.0/10, 0.1 miles away, in nearby Asheville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Reynolds Middle (rated 5.8/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Asheville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Arden, see our Arden schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Koontz Intermediate Asheville | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Estes Elementary Asheville | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Roberson High Asheville | 0.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Avery's Creek Elementary Arden | 2.2 mi | 4.5 |
| CAROLINA DAY SCHOOL Asheville | 2.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Glen Arden Elementary Arden | 2.7 mi | 7.9 |
| CHRIST SCHOOL Arden | 3.3 mi | 7.4 |
| VERITAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fletcher | 4.1 mi | 7.3 |
| FernLeaf Fletcher | 4.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Glenn C Marlow Elementary Mills River | 5.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Oakley Elementary Asheville | 5.7 mi | 4.2 |
| TRINITY OF FAIRVIEW ACADEMY Fletcher | 4.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Middle College Asheville | 6.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Early College Asheville | 6.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Fletcher Elementary Fletcher | 5.8 mi | 6.8 |
| MILLS RIVER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Mills River | 6.0 mi | 5.5 |
| School of Inquiry and Life Sciences Asheville | 6.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Asheville High Asheville | 6.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Reynolds High Asheville | 5.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Reynolds Middle Asheville | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28704 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,088
Median Home Value
$343,600
Median Rent
$1,369/mo
Population
23,516
College Educated
40.9%
Homeownership
59.6%
Avg Commute
20.8 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
40
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Wilkes Middle School Moravian Falls, NC | 6.9 |
| Northern Guilford Middle Greensboro, NC | 6.9 |
| Northwest Cabarrus Middle Concord, NC | 6.9 |
| Southwestern Randolph Middle School Asheboro, NC | 6.9 |
| Tucker Creek Middle Havelock, NC | 6.9 |
| Waynesville Middle Waynesville, NC | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valley Springs Middle
What grades does Valley Springs Middle serve?
Valley Springs Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Valley Springs Middle?
Valley Springs Middle has an enrollment of approximately 634 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Springs Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Valley Springs Middle is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Valley Springs Middle rank in NC?
Valley Springs Middle ranks #1,017 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Valley Springs Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Springs Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Valley Springs Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley Springs Middle has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Valley Springs Middle a charter school?
No, Valley Springs Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valley Springs Middle a Title I school?
No, Valley Springs Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Springs Middle?
99.5% of students at Valley Springs Middle 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 634
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Buncombe County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.4%
- Phone
- (828) 654-1785
Resources & Links
District
Buncombe County Schools- District Enrollment
- 22,172
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,585
- District Rank
- #22 of 45
Other Schools in This District
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