Excellent
#139 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 5% in state
West Buncombe Elementary
Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools
175 Erwin Hills Road, Asheville, NC 28806
Enrollment
578
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
578
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Asheville
#2 of 34
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#126 of 1,474
In district
#5 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About West Buncombe Elementary
West Buncombe Elementary is a public elementary school in Asheville, NC, part of the Buncombe County Schools. The school serves approximately 578 students in grades Kindergarten – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94.8th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 72% proficiency in math, 12 points above the state average and 57% in reading/language arts, 4 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $59,925, where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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West Buncombe Elementary — Students at West Buncombe Elementary score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.5/10.
How West Buncombe Elementary Compares
See how West Buncombe Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 81.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 61.1% (2025).
Location
175 Erwin Hills Road, Asheville, NC 28806
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Buncombe Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Lucy S. Herring Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Asheville, see our Asheville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eblen Intermediate Asheville | 0.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Erwin High Asheville | 0.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Erwin Middle Asheville | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| ELIADA ACADEMY Asheville | 1.2 mi | — |
| FRENCH BROAD RIVER ACADEMY-GIRLS CAMPUS Asheville | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| FRENCH BROAD RIVER ACADEMY-BOYS Asheville | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Johnston Elementary Asheville | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Emma Elementary Asheville | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Asheville | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Woodfin Elementary Asheville | 2.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Nesbitt Discovery Academy Asheville | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| TEMPLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Asheville | 2.7 mi | 4.5 |
| 1 SCHOOL RD Asheville | 3.0 mi | — |
| Lucy S. Herring Elementary Asheville | 3.0 mi | 7.8 |
| HAWTHORN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville | 2.6 mi | — |
| CANTERBURY CLASSICAL SCHOOL Asheville | 3.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Asheville PEAK Academy Asheville | 3.3 mi | 6.9 |
| ASHEVILLE SCHOOL Asheville | 3.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Francine Delany New School Asheville | 3.4 mi | 4.8 |
| RAINBOW COMMUNITY SCHOOL Asheville | 3.3 mi | 8.4 |
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 West Buncombe Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain, NC | 8.7 |
| Bunn Elementary Bunn, NC | 8.7 |
| Edwin A Alderman Elementary Greensboro, NC | 8.7 |
| Elizabeth Traditional Elem Charlotte, NC | 8.7 |
| G W Carver Elementary Pinetops, NC | 8.7 |
| Glenwood Elementary Chapel Hill, NC | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Buncombe Elementary
What grades does West Buncombe Elementary serve?
West Buncombe Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend West Buncombe Elementary?
West Buncombe Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 578 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Buncombe Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at West Buncombe Elementary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Buncombe Elementary rank in NC?
West Buncombe Elementary is ranked #139 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Buncombe Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
West Buncombe Elementary has a composite rating of 8.7 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 West Buncombe Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Buncombe Elementary has 71.7% math proficiency and 57.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Buncombe Elementary a charter school?
No, West Buncombe Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Buncombe Elementary a Title I school?
No, West Buncombe Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Buncombe Elementary?
99.5% of students at West Buncombe 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Asheville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 578
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Buncombe County
- Phone
- (828) 232-4282
- 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
- #5 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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