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Asheville and Buncombe County NC School Guide – Full List

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When you’re house hunting and are a parent, finding a house in your ideal school district can be important. Even for those without children, school districts can impact future home value and are something to take into consideration. Thankfully, Asheville has a large selection of quality public, private, and charter schools. This is your guide to schools in Asheville and Buncombe County.

Disclaimer: The content here is designed to serve as an objective overview of the schools in Asheville and Buncombe County. We do not endorse any particular schools in the area as this is a decision unique to the needs of each family. We have described each school to the best of our ability based only on school-provided descriptions.

Table of Contents

Ultimate Guide to Asheville and Buncombe County Schools

Asheville City Schools

Asheville City Schools serves the most centrally-located neighborhoods in the area. In additional to their middle school and high school, ACS’s magnet elementary schools allow families to choose a school based on interest where space is available, unlike the County schools that assign students based on where they live. Each magnet school follows North Carolina State Standards while teaching core subjects through a specialized theme not typically offered at non-magnet schools. These themes are designed to encourage high achievement, cultural diversity, and meaningful choice in how students learn.

  • Claxton Elementary – Magnet Theme: Arts & Humanities
    • Established in 1922 and located in the heart of North Asheville on Merrimon Avenue, Claxton’s motto is “Education through Creativity!” 
  • Isaac Dixon Elementary – Magnet Theme: Experiential Education
    • Located near downtown Asheville, Isaac Dixon’s “belief in hands-on learning comes from research that shows students learn best by doing.”
  • Lucy S. Herring Elementary (formerly Vance Elementary) – Magnet Theme: Ecology
    • Herring Elementary is situated in West Asheville and says they’re “a place where everyone learns and grows!” Each school year begins with ecology week, and throughout the year the children work with a garden coordinator and work to be good stewards of the Earth.
  • Hall Fletcher Elementary – Magnet Theme: S.T.E.A.M.
    • Hall Fletcher is a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) school in West Asheville. The school incorporates these elements into many of their lessons across all subjects. 
  • Ira B. Jones Elementary – Magnet Theme: Global Scholars
    • Tucked away off of Kimberly Ave in North Asheville, Jones Elementary’s mission is “to empower all students to become highly successful global citizens.” Adjacent to the school is a large playground, Candace Pickens Memorial Park (formerly Jones Park), which is open to the public.
  • Asheville Middle School – The Asheville Middle School Cougars have the motto, “Respect. Organization. Achievement. Responsibility.” They pride themselves on being a big school with a small school feel.
  • Asheville High School – Asheville High is located within Asheville City limits on a gorgeous, historic campus near Mission Hospital. Their school motto is “educating all students for productive citizenship, lifelong learning, and personal fulfillment.”
  • School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA) – A public magnet high school on the Asheville High School campus, SILSA offers a rigorous, inquiry-based curriculum centered on life sciences and project-based learning, designed to prepare students for college and 21st-century success with strong academic and emotional support.

Buncombe County Schools

Buncombe County Schools is one school system that operates high schools, middle schools, intermediate schools, and elementary schools both inside and outside the city of Asheville. There are six school districts within BCS, and students are generally enrolled in the district where they live: Enka (West), Erwin (North-West), North Buncombe, Owen (East), Reynolds (South-East), and Roberson (South). Buncombe County also offers BCS Virtual Academy, an online option for education serving K-12 students in and around Buncombe County..

High Schools (Grade 9-12)

Middle Schools (Grade 6-8)

Intermediate Schools (Grade 5-6)

Elementary Schools (Grade K-5)

Charter Schools

North Carolina charter schools are independently operated, publicly funded schools authorized by the State Board of Education and governed outside local school districts. They are tuition-free, nonreligious, and non-discriminatory, with admissions based on a lottery system.

  • ArtSpace Charter School in Swannanoa serves K–8 students with an experiential, arts-integrated curriculum focused on visual and performing arts. The school emphasizes a family-centered, collaborative approach that encourages parent involvement and community service to foster responsible citizenship.
  • Asheville PEAK Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in grades K–7 from diverse backgrounds across Asheville and surrounding communities. The school focuses on personalized instruction and character education to help close the achievement gap while fostering a safe, inclusive environment where every student is valued and supported.
  • Evergreen Community Charter School’s education philosophy is based on the EL Education model, which emphasizes challenging, meaningful, and adventurous learning through interdisciplinary “learning expeditions” that engage K-8 students in real-world projects and active inquiry. They are located in the Haw Creek community of East Asheville and prioritize social-emotional growth and character development through supportive crews as well as a focus on “habits of scholars” like responsibility, collaboration, and perseverance to help students take ownership of their work and learning.
  • Francine Delany New School for Children is a diverse K–8 public charter school in West Asheville, rooted in social justice and a commitment to the inherent worth of every student. The school emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning in small classes, supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional growth while fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and respect for others.
  • IC Imagine Charter School is a K‑12 public charter in Asheville that focuses on whole‑child education, engaging students in core academics alongside Spanish, fine arts, and active living to help them reach their full potential. The school aims to create an inclusive, supportive community where students are encouraged to develop leadership skills, a love of learning, and the ability to collaborate within a 21st‑century learning environment.
  • Franklin School of Innovation combines rigorous academics with real‑world, expeditionary learning to prepare grades 5-12 students to be ethical, problem‑solving leaders and engaged global citizens. The school emphasizes strong student‑teacher relationships, character development through its “Crew” model, and meaningful projects that build persistence, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Private Schools

Residential Schools

Two private residential high schools are located in the Asheville area:

  • All-male Christ School, which was founded in 1900, offers 500 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, 19 teams across 11 sports. Christ School wants each student to become a better version of himself by being a better student, friend, son, brother, and human being. Classes are small, AP and honors courses are available in all subjects, there are extensive extracurricular opportunities, and faculty is considered top-notch.
  • Coeducational Asheville School, which has the unique distinction of 100% of its graduates continuing to college, is a diverse and nurturing community that challenges and supports the mind, body, and spirit of their students by developing their resilience, intellect, and character. Students at Asheville School are driven to excel in their academics, and enjoy learning. Many of their graduates are accepted to the nation’s most prestigious colleges

Day Schools

  • Asheville Catholic School is a small, multicultural, faith-based community located in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Their students, from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade, are encouraged, challenged and guided throughout to develop strong characters, be curious learners, and recognize their unique gifts so they may become the people they are intended to be.
  • Asheville Christian Academy is a PreK through 12 school that has provided a Gospel-centered education to students in the greater Asheville area for more than 60 years. The school is committed to partnerships with Christian parents and inspiring Christ-oriented lives within a community of grace and truth.
  • Carolina Day School’s hallmarks are academic excellence, character development, and a robust arts and athletics program. The student-teacher relationship is a strong focus at Carolina Day, where PK3-12 students are fully engaged by exceptional teachers and staff. The co-ed independent day school offers an inclusive community, inspired teaching, and innovative programming to create a journey of excellence for each student.
  • Emmanuel Lutheran School is a Christian education preschool through 8th grade offering STEAM education in Asheville. The school’s motto is “Christ. Care. Community” and they strive to provide an academically challenging, Christ-centered education in a caring environment. Their mission is to prepare children for today, for tomorrow, forever.
  • French Broad River Academy’s mission is to build character and integrity for a lifetime of learning, service, and leadership. They offer two middle school (grade 6-8) programs: one for boys and one for girls. At both campuses, they prepare students for success in high school, college, and beyond by combining a rigorous academic curriculum with relevant, purposeful learning experiences on the French Broad River, its surrounding watershed, and international locations.
  • Hanger Hall School is a private middle school (grades 6-8) for girls. They provide their students with a tight-knit learning community and an engaging and rigorous curriculum in a challenging yet supportive academic environment. They believe the small, single-sex environment allows their students to develop their sense of identity without some of the distractions, drama, and isolation that can accompany a more traditional middle school experience.
  • The Learning Community provides an education for kindergarten through 8th grade students. The unique needs of each child are met through experiential learning, visual and performing arts, outdoor education, service, and challenging academics paired with an emphasis on social and emotional intelligence. They create a community with multi-age classrooms, a team-building curriculum that is integrated throughout each school day, all-school activities, and parent involvement.
  • Odyssey Community School is an independent, non-profit school with a focus on whole child, emotionally intelligent, personalized curriculum for students in PreK-12. Their mission is to prepare students, families, and educators to lead the 21st century with an authentic sense of self.
  • Rainbow Community School is a private school serving about 200 students from PreK-8th grade. For over 40 years, they have been recognized as a leader in contemplative and mindfulness education. The school draws from the best in current educational thinking and holistic models of child development and offers a child-centered curriculum designed to inspire curiosity through experiential thematic units of study.
  • Reynolds Mountain Christian Academy is a private Christian PK-12th school in Asheville whose “mission goes beyond academic achievement; it’s about fostering spiritual growth, nurturing life skills, and instilling Christian values” to “provide a foundation for a life that is academically excellent, spiritually enriched, and socially compassionate.”

Specialized Schools

Mountain City Public Montessori – WNC’s only public Montessori school officially opened their doors in 2023 in downtown Asheville, serving K-8 students. Their mission is “to provide equitable access to a high-quality, relevant Montessori education to meet the unique needs of all students and strengthen our community.” The school educates the whole child with the Montessori method, addressing physical, social-emotional, cultural, and academic development through multi-age classrooms, uninterrupted self-directed work, and hands-on materials in carefully prepared environments that foster collaboration, concentration, executive functioning, and a lifelong love of learning.

Community High School is a public, alternative high school focused on providing students with a strong support system and a safe space to meet their full potential. Located in Swannanoa, the school is committed to helping their students develop their academic knowledge base, learn new work/life skills, and graduate from high school. Smaller classroom sizes and a supportive learning environment are designed to help students re-engage in their educational process.

Martin L. Nesbitt Discovery Academy – A Buncombe County Schools magnet high school in Asheville focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School and a STEM School of Distinction with a focus on college- and career readiness, they serve students from all six attendance districts and provide an innovative experience in STEM-related disciplines.

Buncombe County Early College – This non-traditional Buncombe County high school located on the campus of A-B Tech and in partnership with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction seeks to recruit students who may otherwise have difficulty attending college, particularly those who are from low-income families and those who will be the first in their families to earn a college degree. The rigorous 4- or 5-year academic program is designed for students to earn a high school diploma and a college associate degree under a comprehensive program of social, emotional, and academic support.

Buncombe County Middle College serves 11th and 12th grade students who prefer a small, personalized learning environment. The school is also located on the A-B Tech campus and promotes career and college readiness, with the goal of bridging the divide between high school and students’ post-graduation lives.

Progressive Education Program – The Progressive Education Program serves approximately 150 students with moderate to significant physical and intellectual disabilities. They serve students from all communities in Buncombe County. Their mission is to help all students achieve and realize their potential and the greatest level of independence.

Bottom Line

There are many excellent public, private, and charter school options in Asheville and Buncombe County. It’s important to do your own research to make the best decision for you and your family. In addition to the school websites above, you may want to check out Greatschools.com for additional information, including ratings and reviews. 

If you have questions about searching for homes in the Asheville, Buncombe County, or Western North Carolina areas, we’d be honored to help. Start your search here or contact us at 828-782-5582 or altamontpropertygroup@gmail.com.

Buncombe and Asheville Schools FAQ

Are there school choice options outside of a student’s assigned district?

Yes — families in Buncombe County aren’t strictly limited to their assigned neighborhood school. Buncombe County Schools allows parents to request discretionary transfers to other schools/districts through an application process. Students who live outside the district may also apply to Asheville City Schools through the discretionary admission process, which is evaluated each spring and requires students to remain in good standing to continue enrollment. In addition to traditional public schools in Asheville, anyone may apply for magnet or specialty programs that may be outside their immediate attendance zone.

Are there year-round or alternative calendar schools in the area?

Most traditional public schools in the Asheville/Buncombe County area follow a standard academic calendar rather than a year-round model. However, some alternative options use non-traditional schedules, including Invest Collegiate – Imagine Charter School, which operates on a modified year-round calendar. Families should contact schools directly to confirm current calendars and enrollment details.

What are the best neighborhoods to live in Asheville?

Within Asheville City limits, the neighborhoods of Kenilworth, North Asheville, Montford, and Biltmore Forest are often recommended by families for access to well-regarded schools, strong community feel, and walkable access. Beyond the city, towns within Buncombe County like Weaverville, Arden/Avery Creek, and Fairview are frequently noted by locals for excellent schools and family-friendly living while still being close to Asheville’s amenities. To learn more about specific neighborhoods in Asheville and the surrounding areas, check our our Guide to Asheville’s top Neighborhoods and our Moving to Asheville guide.

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