Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Buncombe County Schools

North Carolina · Public School District
45
Schools
22,091
Students
$14,785
Per-Pupil Spend
≈ nat'l avg
56.9%
Free Lunch Rate
≈ nat'l avg
87.8%
Graduation Rate
≈ nat'l avg
District Overview

Buncombe County Schools is a public school district in North Carolina serving 22,091 students across 45 schools. It includes 23 elementary, 11 middle, 10 high schools. Its graduation rate of 87.8% is near the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $14,785 is near the national average for a US public school district. 57% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 39/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (45)
Middle Schools11 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Cane Creek Middle06–08452
Eblen Intermediate05–06555
Enka Intermediate05–06573
Enka Middle07–08602
Erwin Middle07–08568
Koontz Intermediate05–06650
North Buncombe Middle07–08504
North Windy Ridge Intermediate05–06494
Owen Middle06–08418
Reynolds Middle06–08479
Valley Springs Middle05–08634
High Schools10 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Community High School09–12119
Early College09–13274
Enka High09–121,045
Erwin High09–121,096
Middle College11–1349
Nesbitt Discovery Academy09–12374
North Buncombe High09–12956
Owen High09–12689
Reynolds High09–121,133
Roberson High09–121,491
Other School1 school
SchoolGradesStudents
Buncombe County Schools Virtual AcademyKG–12266
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$14,785Near national avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
49%
29%
State
49.5%
Local (property tax)
29.3%
Federal
21.3%

Funding is shared between state (49%) and local sources (29%), with notable federal support (21%).

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
45
Schools
22,091
Students
57%
Free Lunch
$15K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate87.8%
Opportunity Score39/100
StateNorth Carolina →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Range of school options
With 45 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
Heavy reliance on federal aid
21% of revenue comes from federal sources. High federal reliance typically signals a limited local tax base or high concentration of low-income families.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Buncombe County Schools?
Buncombe County Schools has 45 public schools, serving a total of 22,091 students.
What is the graduation rate for Buncombe County Schools?
The graduation rate is 87.8%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Buncombe County Schools spend per student?
Buncombe County Schools spends $14,785 per pupil — 3% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Buncombe County Schools?
57% of students in Buncombe County Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Buncombe County Schools?
No, Buncombe County Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Buncombe County Schools serve?
Buncombe County Schools serves grades PK through 13, covering elementary level.
What is the opportunity score for Buncombe County Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in Buncombe County Schools is 39/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.