Education in the West: A Guide to Local Schools and Charters
The deliberation process for determining which school your child will attend can be daunting for those who are considering an option outside of the typical public school experience. Fortunately, Asheville has a diverse and wide array of innovative education opportunities ranging from public schools, private schools and public charter schools. In this edition of our Ultimate Guide to West Asheville, our team will delve into everything you need to know about schools in West Asheville. Buncombe County has 45 schools spread across 6 districts and is the 13th largest school system in North Carolina. It is the largest school system in Western North Carolina, serving over 22,000 students. Buncombe County also reports that it ranks 16th in the nation for the number of National Board-Certified Teachers that are employed within the districts.
An Overview of the Buncombe County School System + West Asheville Schools
The West Asheville region is served by the Buncombe County School System and the Asheville City School System. The Asheville City School system generally serves those neighborhoods that are centrally located to downtown Asheville such as Montford. For Buncombe County, students attend either the Erwin or Enka District and neighborhood-based elementary and middle schools. The Enka District covers western Buncombe County, including Candler and Biltmore Lake. The Erwin District covers northwestern Buncombe County, including Leicester.
Johnston Elementary School, Emma Elementary, and West Buncombe Elementary Schools are all located within proximity to West Asheville proper. Hall Fletcher Elementary School, established as a School of Math, Science, and Technology, is located in the heart of West Asheville, right off of Ridgelawn Road. Hall Fletcher is a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) School that is part of the Asheville City Schools magnet system. It has weekly STEAM classes for all grade levels in addition to a competitive robotics team, which is offered for 4th and 5th graders. It was originally known as Hall Fletcher Junior High, which was established in 1925.
For students in middle school, or beginning 5th grade, Joe P. Eblen Intermediate School is located in the Buncombe County Enka District and serves grades 5th and 6th, whereas the Clyde A. Erwin School is for grades 7th and 8th. There is also the Enka Intermediate School for grades 5th and 6th. Most West Asheville student-aged residents will attend Clyde Erwin High School, Enka High School, or Asheville City High School. A full list of schools in the Enka and Erwin Districts is available below.
What if I want my child to attend a school that is outside of the school district?
Discretionary Admission in Buncombe County Schools allows students to request to enroll in outside districts if they receive approval. There is a $25 application fee per student, and a tuition expense that follows.
Which Charter Schools are Located in West Asheville?
Charter schools are tuition-free and publicly funded institutions and offer different approaches to education. They are independent entities, and interested parents can enter a “lottery” system for their children to gain admittance into these schools. There are around 12 charter schools in the greater Asheville area. Central to West Asheville, The Franklin School of Innovation, which opened in 2014, serves over 750 middle and high school students. Located off Brevard Road, Francine Delany New School, was established in 1996 and serves around 200 K-8 students. Southwest of Historic West Asheville, IC Imagine Public Charter School is located near the Enka area and welcomes students from grades K-12.
Which Private Schools are Located in West Asheville?
Private schools, which generally require tuition, are prevalent in the Asheville area. While private schools require attendance costs, oftentimes, they also offer scholarship programs as needed. Asheville School, a private boarding school, is located on 300 acres of land. The campus was built in 1903, and the school serves over 250 high school-aged students in grades 9th through 12th. Rainbow Community School, has over 200 students in grades preschool through 8th grade and is located right off of Haywood Road.
Buncombe County School System - Erwin District
Emma Elementary
Johnston Elementary
Leicester Elementary
West Buncombe Elementary
Woodfin Elementary
Joe P. Eblen Intermediate
Clyde A Erwin Middle School
Martin L. Nesbitt Jr. Discovery Academy
Clyde A Erwin High School
Buncombe County School System - Enka District
Candler Elementary
Hominy Valley Elementary
Pisgah Elementary
Sand Hill-Venable Elementary
Enka Intermediate School
Enka Middle School
Enka High School
Curious which school district your home falls within? Click the link to find out: https://www.buncombeschools.org/page/help-which-district-am-i-in