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Buncombe County Schools

Item: Buncombe County Schools
Rating: 6
Author: Public School Review

175 Bingham Road
Asheville, NC 28806-3800

( shown in map)

Top 50%

Tel: (828) 232-4160

www.buncombeschools.org

Top Rankings

Buncombe County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

45 Schools

2,734 Schools

# Students

22,402 Students

1,549,621 Students

# Teachers

1,477 Teachers

96,132 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

15:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
Pre-K	312	76
Kind	1,640	316
1	1,593	325
2	1,627	331
3	1,810	341
4	1,621	325
5	1,672	333
6	1,612	333
7	1,650	336
8	1,694	338
9	1,922	385
10	1,843	359
11	1,768	337
12	1,638	315

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District Rank

Buncombe County Schools, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 314 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 90% has increased from 88% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NC)

#136 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Buncombe County Schools
2023	#136
2022	#136
2021	#136
2019	#114
2018	#107
2017	#115
2016	#93
2015	#97
2014	#84
2013	#61
2012	#101

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(21-22)

54%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2022	54%	51%
2021	45%	42%
2019	45%	42%
2018	46%	48%
2017	51%	47%
2016	52%	47%
2015	49%	44%
2014	48%	43%
2013	48%	42%
2012	84%	82%
2011	84%	82%

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51%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2022	51%	50%
2021	50%	47%
2019	48%	46%
2018	46%	47%
2017	48%	46%
2016	51%	47%
2015	50%	46%
2014	50%	46%
2013	52%	45%
2012	75%	73%
2011	73%	70%

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64%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2022	64%	63%
2021	63%	61%

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(21-22)

90%

86%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2022	90%	86%
2021	91%	85%
2020	91%	86%
2019	87%	85%
2018	88%	86%
2017	88%	88%
2016	86%	88%
2015	85%	87%
2014	83%	86%
2013	80%	85%
2012	80%	83%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.55

0.72

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2024	0.53	0.71
2023	0.52	0.71
2022	0.51	0.70
2021	0.50	0.69
2020	0.49	0.68
2019	0.49	0.68
2018	0.46	0.67
2017	0.46	0.67
2016	0.45	0.66
2015	0.44	0.66
2014	0.44	0.65
2013	0.42	0.65
2012	0.41	0.64
2011	0.40	0.64
2010	0.37	0.61
2009	0.36	0.61
2008	0.33	0.61
2007	0.31	0.60
2006	0.31	0.58
2005	0.29	0.58
2004	0.26	0.57
2003	0.24	0.56
2002	0.22	0.55
2001	0.21	0.53
2000	0.20	0.53
1999	0.18	0.52
1998	0.17	0.52
1997	0.16	0.50
1996	0.15	0.50
1995	0.14	0.49
1994	0.14	0.48
1993	0.13	0.48
1992	0.12	0.48
1991	0.13	0.48
1990	0.12	0.48
1989	0.12	0.48
1988	0.12	0.47

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% American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2007-2008)
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2008	2%	2%
2007	2%	2%

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% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2024	2%	4%
2023	2%	4%
2022	1%	4%
2021	1%	4%
2020	2%	3%
2019	2%	3%
2018	2%	3%
2017	2%	3%
2016	1%	3%
2015	1%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	2%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	3%	2%
2010	2%	3%
2009	2%	2%
2008	2%	3%
2007	2%	3%
2006	2%	2%
2005	2%	2%
2004	2%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	2%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	2%	2%
1999	1%	2%
1998	1%	2%
1997	1%	1%
1996	2%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1991	2%	1%
1990	1%	1%
1989	1%	1%
1988	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

22%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2024)
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2024	21%	21%
2023	20%	20%
2022	20%	20%
2021	19%	19%
2020	17%	18%
2019	17%	18%
2018	16%	17%
2017	16%	17%
2016	16%	16%
2015	15%	16%
2014	14%	15%
2013	13%	14%
2012	12%	13%
2011	11%	13%
2010	9%	11%
2009	9%	11%
2008	9%	11%
2007	8%	10%
2006	6%	8%
2005	5%	8%
2004	5%	7%
2003	4%	6%
2002	3%	5%
2001	3%	4%
2000	2%	4%
1999	2%	3%
1998	2%	3%
1997	1%	2%
1996	1%	2%
1995	1%	2%
1994	1%	1%

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% Black

24%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2024	7%	25%
2023	7%	25%
2022	7%	25%
2021	7%	25%
2020	7%	25%
2019	7%	25%
2018	7%	26%
2017	7%	26%
2016	7%	26%
2015	7%	26%
2014	6%	26%
2013	6%	26%
2012	6%	26%
2011	6%	26%
2010	11%	31%
2009	10%	31%
2008	6%	29%
2007	6%	29%
2006	9%	32%
2005	9%	31%
2004	8%	31%
2003	8%	31%
2002	7%	31%
2001	7%	31%
2000	7%	31%
1999	7%	31%
1998	6%	30%
1997	6%	31%
1996	5%	31%
1995	5%	30%
1994	5%	30%
1993	5%	30%
1992	5%	30%
1991	5%	30%
1990	5%	30%
1989	6%	30%
1988	6%	30%

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% White

64%

42%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2024	65%	43%
2023	66%	44%
2022	67%	45%
2021	68%	46%
2020	69%	48%
2019	69%	48%
2018	71%	49%
2017	71%	49%
2016	72%	50%
2015	73%	50%
2014	74%	51%
2013	75%	52%
2012	76%	53%
2011	76%	53%
2010	78%	54%
2009	79%	54%
2008	81%	55%
2007	82%	56%
2006	83%	56%
2005	84%	57%
2004	85%	58%
2003	87%	59%
2002	88%	60%
2001	89%	61%
2000	89%	61%
1999	90%	62%
1998	91%	63%
1997	92%	64%
1996	92%	64%
1995	93%	65%
1994	93%	66%
1993	93%	66%
1992	93%	66%
1991	93%	66%
1990	94%	66%
1989	93%	66%
1988	93%	67%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2024)
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2024	5%	6%
2023	5%	6%
2022	5%	5%
2021	5%	5%
2020	4%	5%
2019	4%	5%
2018	4%	4%
2017	4%	4%
2016	4%	4%
2015	4%	4%
2014	4%	4%
2013	4%	4%
2012	5%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,870 is higher than the state median of $11,168. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $12,743 is higher than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$288 MM

$17,307 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$288 MM	$8 MM
2022	$285 MM	$8 MM
2021	$288 MM	$8 MM
2020	$285 MM	$8 MM
2019	$280 MM	$8 MM
2018	$268 MM	$8 MM
2017	$248 MM	$8 MM
2016	$237 MM	$8 MM
2015	$262 MM	$18 MM
2014	$233 MM	$10 MM
2012	$228 MM	$17 MM
2011	$252 MM	$19 MM
2010	$262 MM	$18 MM
2009	$245 MM	$19 MM
2008	$245 MM	$18 MM
2007	$249 MM	$18 MM
2006	$230 MM	$15 MM
2005	$187 MM	$15 MM
2004	$196 MM	$17 MM
2003	$197 MM	$17 MM
2002	$207 MM	$16 MM
2001	$202 MM	$17 MM
2000	$182 MM	$20 MM
1999	$165 MM	$23 MM
1998	$152 MM	$26 MM
1997	$143 MM	$34 MM
1996	$137 MM	$34 MM
1995	$130 MM	$32 MM

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Spending

$286 MM

$17,964 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$285 MM	$8 MM
2022	$282 MM	$8 MM
2021	$285 MM	$8 MM
2020	$282 MM	$8 MM
2019	$288 MM	$7 MM
2018	$274 MM	$8 MM
2017	$256 MM	$9 MM
2016	$261 MM	$8 MM
2015	$236 MM	$18 MM
2014	$239 MM	$11 MM
2012	$241 MM	$16 MM
2011	$255 MM	$17 MM
2010	$236 MM	$18 MM
2009	$236 MM	$18 MM
2008	$230 MM	$17 MM
2007	$234 MM	$18 MM
2006	$208 MM	$15 MM
2005	$191 MM	$15 MM
2004	$184 MM	$16 MM
2003	$182 MM	$17 MM
2002	$198 MM	$15 MM
2001	$188 MM	$17 MM
2000	$175 MM	$20 MM
1999	$159 MM	$24 MM
1998	$147 MM	$26 MM
1997	$138 MM	$36 MM
1996	$143 MM	$33 MM
1995	$135 MM	$32 MM

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Revenue / Student

$12,870

$11,168

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$13,078	$10,093
2022	$12,042	$9,918
2021	$12,930	$10,282
2020	$12,042	$9,918
2019	$11,825	$9,125
2018	$11,167	$9,419
2017	$10,194	$10,522
2016	$9,651	$9,128
2015	$10,478	$10,864
2014	$9,135	$9,046
2012	$8,895	$10,562
2011	$9,865	$12,703
2010	$10,225	$10,864
2009	$9,485	$11,105
2008	$9,651	$11,767
2007	$9,716	$9,479
2006	$8,999	$9,335
2005	$7,402	$8,913
2004	$7,910	$8,734
2003	$7,986	$8,577
2002	$8,362	$8,130
2001	$8,182	$7,294
2000	$7,321	$7,636
1999	$6,634	$7,252
1998	$6,113	$5,688
1997	$5,832	$5,690
1995	$5,414	$5,545
1992	$4,910	$4,737

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Spending / Student

$12,743

$11,592

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Buncombe County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$12,949	$9,807
2022	$11,930	$9,654
2021	$12,802	$9,990
2020	$11,930	$9,654
2019	$12,146	$8,949
2018	$11,427	$9,637
2017	$10,508	$11,583
2016	$10,611	$9,753
2015	$9,437	$10,591
2014	$9,369	$9,388
2012	$9,385	$10,336
2011	$9,962	$11,927
2010	$9,209	$10,591
2009	$9,148	$10,880
2008	$9,074	$11,136
2007	$9,114	$9,418
2006	$8,162	$8,813
2005	$7,579	$8,647
2004	$7,418	$8,413
2003	$7,377	$8,886
2002	$8,002	$7,903
2001	$7,606	$7,301
2000	$7,060	$7,650
1999	$6,416	$7,340
1998	$5,942	$5,663
1997	$5,637	$6,040
1995	$5,627	$5,570
1992	$4,786	$4,725

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Buncombe County Schools?

Buncombe County Schools manages 44 public schools serving 22,402 students.

What is the rank of Buncombe County Schools?

Buncombe County Schools is ranked #137 out of 314 school districts in North Carolina (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Buncombe County Schools?

64% of Buncombe County Schools students are White, 22% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Black, 5% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Buncombe County Schools?

Buncombe County Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 16:1.

What is Buncombe County Schools's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $12,743 is higher than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 45 schools
Grades: PK-13
Enrollment: 22,402 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 37%
: 90% (Top 20% in NC)
: Top 50%
: 54% (Top 50%)
: 51% (Top 50%)
: 64% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education