One of the most important considerations when moving to a new area is the quality of education. Families new to Western North Carolina will enjoy a range of schools dedicated to providing a positive learning environment. The public school districts that serve the area include the Asheville City Schools as well as the school districts for Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, Madison, Transylvania and Jackson counties.

Asheville City Schools
With more than 4,000 students, the Asheville City Schools (www.asheville.k12.nc.us) is composed of nine schools: a preschool, high school, middle school, alternative middle school and five elementary schools. Intending to promote diversity, achievement and choice, the Asheville City Schools allows parents to choose from any elementary school in the district if space is available and the school is racially balanced. Each elementary school is a magnet school with a distinct “theme,” and students may choose the theme which best matches their interests.

Parents are encouraged to apply for their chosen elementary school by February. Although every effort is made to accommodate the request, space is limited and preference is given in order of the date the application was received.

For the past few years, Asheville City Schools has focused on the basics – reading, writing and math – in its elementary schools. The district promotes mastering skills in the early grades in order to ensure success in high school and beyond. Additionally, as part of the artistic culture of Asheville, there is a focus on the arts including band, video production, drama, debate and choir.

Part of Asheville City Schools, Asheville Preparatory Academy is an academically intense school for fifth- through eighth-graders to prepare them for high school, college and the world beyond. With an extended day lasting from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Asheville Preparatory Academy also holds class for five hours on Saturdays and a month during the summer. Additionally, students take a yearly field trip to destinations including Washington D.C., Boston, Utah and New York.

Claxton Elementary and Isaac Dickson Elementary schools were named Schools of Distinction in 2006, with at least 80 percent of its students at or above grade level. Asheville High School’s average SAT score was an impressive 1124 – 116 points higher than the state average and 103 points higher than the national average. The school was also recognized in Newsweek’s top 100 high schools for student participation in Advanced Placement courses.

Asheville City Schools highly encourages parental and community involvement. In fact, more than 30 businesses are involved with Asheville City Schools, and a large number of volunteers offer their time to help students with their studies during and after school.

Buncombe County Schools
The areas outside of Asheville are served by the Buncombe County Schools (www.buncombe.k12.nc.us). With nearly 26,000 students enrolled in 23 elementary schools, an intermediate school (grades 5-6), seven middle schools and six high schools, Buncombe County Schools is the 10th-largest district in North Carolina and the largest in Western North Carolina.

The district has one of the highest SAT score averages in the state with 1,052, 31 points higher than the national average and 44 points above the state average.

According to the ABCs state accountability model, Buncombe County schools achieved higher than the state average at every grade and course level.

Glen Arden Elementary School was named an Honor School of Excellence, meaning that 90 percent of its students perform at or above grade level and it also achieved Adequate Yearly Progress according to the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Cane Creek Middle School in Fletcher has been named a North Carolina School of Excellence for the past four years.

Henderson County Schools
With a motto of “Where Tomorrow Begins,” Henderson County Schools (www.henderson.k12.nc.us) has also been acknowledged for providing a quality education for its students.

With an enrollment of over 12,000 students, Henderson County employs a staff of 1,800 and 127 of its teachers have received the distinguished National Board Certification.

The district is one of only nine schools in the state in which all schools made Adequate Yearly Progress in reading. Hendersonville Elementary and Mill River Elementary were named Honor Schools of Excellence in 2006.

Accommodating its growth in recent years, Henderson County Schools recently built a new 100,000-square-foot middle school, which opened during the 2003-2004 school year. Overall, the district has 12 elementary, four middle and four high schools in addition to its alternative school, Balfour Education Center.

While most of the schools operate on a traditional schedule, Hendersonville Elementary operates on a Flex Quarter Calendar with nine-week grading periods followed by three-week intercessions.
Because of growth in the area, the district is renovating Dana Elementary School and plans to build a new elementary school within the next few years.

Transylvania County Schools
With just over 3,800 students in four elementary, two middle, two high schools and an alternative school, Transylvania County Schools (www.transylvania.k12.nc.us) have been high-performing since the inception of the ABC model of accountability 14 years ago.

Brevard Elementary, Pisgah Forest Elementary, T.C. Henderson Elementary and Brevard High schools were all named Schools of Progress in 2006.

Brevard High School's average SAT score is 1,100 – 92 points higher than the state average and 79 points higher than the national average.

Undoubtedly, community involvement has helped to boost performance at Transylvania County Schools. The district welcomes parents and volunteers, who are highly active in the school program. A recent bond referendum that passed provides new state-of-the-art science labs, new gymnasiums, a media center, advanced technology and distance learning labs that allow students to take courses from the North Carolina School of Math and Science and other universities.

Haywood County Schools
Recognized as one of the best school systems in the state, Haywood County Schools (www.haywood.k12.nc.us) is made up of nine elementary, three middle and three high schools. The district consolidated in 1965 and now enrolls about 7,550 students in grades kindergarten through 12.

With a motto of “success for today, preparation for tomorrow and learning for a lifetime,” Haywood County Schools certainly lives up to its promise. State accountability tests show that 87 percent of students in Haywood County are at or above grade level in reading.

Clyde Elementary, Riverbend Elementary, Jonathan Valley Elementary and Junaluska Elementary were all named Schools of Distinction, which means that 80 percent of students perform at or above grade level.

In Waynesville, Tuscola High School offers plenty of opportunities for its 1,200 students including advanced placement courses and a range of extracurricular activities. Tuscola High also arranges partnerships with Haywood Community College and Western Carolina University. With an average SAT score of 1,047, more than 85 percent of Tuscola graduates go on to pursue post-secondary education.

Madison County Schools
Located in the rural mountain areas of North Carolina, Madison County Schools (www.madison.k12.nc.us) is student-centered, “providing comprehensive educational experiences in a safe environment that equips and empowers students to be responsible citizens.” With just over 2,500 students, Madison County Schools operates four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.

Class sizes in all schools are far below the state averages, and in most cases are below 20 pupils per class. Brushy Creek Elementary, Hot Springs Elementary and Laurel Elementary were all named Schools of Progress in 2006, meaning at least 60 percent of students perform at or above grade level and the schools made expected growth in student achievement.

Madison High School in Marshall was created in 1974 by merging other high schools in Hot Springs, Laurel, Mars Hill, Marshall and Spring Creek. Serving 780 students, Madison High prides itself on being small enough for teachers and administrators to know each student. In fact, its average class size is 15.5.

Jackson County Schools
Established in 1853, Jackson County Schools (www.jcps.k12.nc.us) has a legacy of community commitment to its children’s education. With more than 3,000 students, Jackson County Schools employs more than 600 staff members.

The district is composed of seven schools: Smokey Mountain Elementary in Whittier, which is PK-8; Cullowhee Valley School in Cullowhee, which is K-8; Fairview School in Sylva, which is K-8; Scotts Creek School in Sylva, which is K-8; Blue Ridge School in Cashiers, which is PK-12; Smoky Mountain High in Sylva, which is grades 9-12; and the School of Alternatives in Sylva, which serves students with special needs in grades PK-12.

According to the ABCs of Public Education accountability model, five of Jackson County’s seven schools were named Schools of Progress in 2006: Cullowhee Valley, Fairview Elementary, Scotts Creek Elementary, Smokey Mountain Elementary and Smoky Mountain High.

Jackson County Schools also offers coursework for its high school students through a partnership with Western Carolina University and Southwestern Community College.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAROLINA DAY SCHOOL

Public Schools
Asheville City Schools
85 Mountain Street
Asheville, NC 28802
828-255-5304
www.asheville.k12.nc.us

Buncombe County Schools
175 Bingham Road
Asheville, NC 28806
828-255-5921
www.buncombe.k12.nc.us

Henderson County Schools
414 Fourth Street West
Hendersonville, NC 28739
828-697-4733
www.henderson.k12.nc.us

Haywood County Schools
1230 N. Main St
Waynesville, NC 28786
828-456-2400
www.haywood.k12.nc.us

Jackson County Schools
398 Hospital Road
Sylva, NC 28779
828-586-2311
www.jcps.k12.nc.us

Madison County Schools
5738 US 25/70 Hwy.
Marshall, NC 28753
828-649-9276
www.madison.k12.nc.us

Transylvania County Schools
400 Rosenwald Lane
Brevard, NC 28712
828-884-6173
www.transylvania.k12.nc.us

Private Schools
Asheville Catholic School
PK-8
12 Culvern Street, Asheville, NC 28804
828-252-7896
www.ashevillecatholic.org

Asheville Christian Academy
PK-12
74 Riverwood Road
Swannanoa, NC 28778
828-581-2200
www.acacademy.org

Asheville Montessori School
15 Julia Street, Asheville, NC 28801
828-254-6014
www.ashevillemontessorischool.com

Asheville School
9-12
360 Asheville School Road
Asheville, NC 28806
828-254-6345
www.asheville-school.org

Blue Ridge Montessori School
PK-K
38 Sycamore St., Asheville, NC 28804
828-281-0505

Carolina Day School
PK-12
1345 Henderson Road
Asheville, NC 28803
828-274-0757
www.cdschool.org

Christ School
8-12
500 Christ School Road, Arden, NC 28704
828-684-6232
www.christschool.org

Emmanuel Lutheran School
PK-8
51 Wilburn Place, Asheville, NC 28806
828-281-8182
www.emmanuellutheranschool.org

Evergreen Community Charter
K-8
50 Bell Road, Asheville, NC 28805
828-298-2173
www.evergreenccs.org

Fletcher Academy
9-12
P.O. Box 5440, Fletcher, NC 28732
828-687-5100
www.fletcheracademy.com

Hanger Hall School for Girls
6-8
31 Park Avenue North
Asheville, NC 28801
828-258-3600
www.hangerhall.org

Immaculate Catholic School
PK-8
711 Buncombe St.
Hendersonville, NC 28791
828-693-3277
www.immac.org

Learning Community School
K-8
375 Lake Eden Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711
828-686-3080
www.thelearningcommunity.org

Maccabi Academy
K-5
229-A Murdock Ave.
Asheville, NC 28804
828-254-5660
www.maccabiofasheville.org

Montessori Learning Center
Age 18 months – age 6
1 School Road, Asheville, NC 28806
828-529-9880
www.montessori-learningcenter.org

Mount Pisgah Academy
9-12
75 Academy Drive, Candler, NC 28715
828-667-2535
www.mpa.candler.nc.us

Nazarene Christian School
PK-6
385 Hazel Mill Road
Asheville, NC 28806
828-252-9713
www.ashevillefirstnazarene.org

Rainbow Mountain Children’s School
PK-8
574 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806
828-258-9264
www.rmcs.org

Veritas Christian Academy
K-12
17 Cane Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
828-681-0546
www.vcacademy.com