Average
#1767 of 2,648 schools in NC
Williams Elementary
Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools
161 Bee Tree Road, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Enrollment
465
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
465
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Swannanoa
#2 of 4
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,194 of 1,474
In district
#32 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
School environment
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Williams Elementary
Williams Elementary is a regular public school located in Swannanoa, North Carolina, within Buncombe County. Situated at 161 Bee Tree Road, the school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 465 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1, Williams Elementary provides a supportive educational environment with 34 full-time equivalent teachers.
The school's setting is in a large suburban area that offers both community resources and a peaceful atmosphere for learning. According to academic performance metrics, Williams Elementary has received a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.9 out of 10, placing it at the 23rd percentile among North Carolina schools. In terms of proficiency rates, 39% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 36% meet these standards in math.
These numbers indicate that there is room for academic growth across various subjects. Williams Elementary stands as an integral part of the Swannanoa community, fostering a nurturing environment where young learners can develop their skills and passions.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Williams Elementary — Students at Williams Elementary score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 5.1/10.
How Williams Elementary Compares
See how Williams Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 38.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 40.6% (2025).
Location
161 Bee Tree Road, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Williams Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bell Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fairview Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Fairview), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Haw Creek Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Asheville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Swannanoa, see our Swannanoa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Community High School Swannanoa | 0.1 mi | 5.5 |
| ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Swannanoa | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| ArtSpace Charter School Swannanoa | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Owen Middle Swannanoa | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| THE LEARNING COMMUNITY SCHOOL Swannanoa | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Owen High Black Mountain | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| BLACK MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI Black Mtn | 3.6 mi | — |
| Fairview Elementary Fairview | 5.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Black Mountain Primary Black Mountain | 4.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Black Mountain Elementary Black Mountain | 5.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Bell Elementary Asheville | 5.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Reynolds Middle Asheville | 5.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Reynolds High Asheville | 5.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Evergreen Community Charter Asheville | 5.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy Asheville | 5.8 mi | 2.5 |
| Haw Creek Elementary Asheville | 5.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Oakley Elementary Asheville | 6.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Cane Creek Middle Fletcher | 8.4 mi | 8.2 |
| TRINITY OF FAIRVIEW ACADEMY Fletcher | 8.6 mi | 6.8 |
| TIMBERSONG ACADEMY - BAT CAVE Hendersonville | 9.6 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 Williams Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Balfour Elementary Asheboro, NC | 5.7 |
| Cape Hatteras Elementary School Buxton, NC | 5.7 |
| Clement Elementary Autryville, NC | 5.7 |
| Haw River Elementary Haw River, NC | 5.7 |
| Indian Trail Elementary Indian Trail, NC | 5.7 |
| Long Mill Elementary Youngsville, NC | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Williams Elementary
What grades does Williams Elementary serve?
Williams Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Williams Elementary?
Williams Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 465 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Williams Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Williams Elementary is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Williams Elementary rank in NC?
Williams Elementary is ranked #1767 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Williams Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Williams Elementary has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Williams Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Williams Elementary has 35.9% math proficiency and 38.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Williams Elementary a charter school?
No, Williams Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Williams Elementary a Title I school?
No, Williams Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Williams Elementary?
99.4% of students at Williams 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (518/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 465
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Buncombe County
- Phone
- (828) 686-3856
- 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
- #32 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
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.