For the 2025-26 school year, there are 19 public preschools serving 7,387 students in Buncombe County, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Buncombe County, NC are Glen Arden Elementary School, Bell Elementary School and Haw Creek Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buncombe County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Buncombe County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Buncombe County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Glen Arden Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
50 Pinehurst Circle
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1800
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1800
Gr: PK-4 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Bell Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
90 Maple Springs Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-3789
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-3789
Gr: PK-5 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Haw Creek Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10 Bethesda Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-4022
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-4022
Gr: PK-5 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
North Buncombe Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
251 Flat Creek Church Rd
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-6054
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-6054
Gr: PK-4 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #55.
Estes Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
275 Overlook Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1795
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1795
Gr: PK-4 | 790 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #66.
Isaac Dickson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
125 Hill Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6800
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6800
Gr: PK-5 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #77.
Lucy S. Herring Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
98 Sulphur Springs Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6600
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6600
Gr: PK-5 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #88.
Black Mountain Primary
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
301 East State Street
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-2645
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-2645
Gr: PK-3 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #99.
Ira B Jones Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
544 Kimberly Avenue
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 350-6700
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 350-6700
Gr: PK-5 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1010.
Candler Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
121 Candler School Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5018
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 670-5018
Gr: PK-4 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1111.
Barnardsville Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
20 Hillcrest Drive
Barnardsville, NC 28709
(828) 626-2290
Barnardsville, NC 28709
(828) 626-2290
Gr: PK-4 | 109 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1212.
Hall Fletcher Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
60 Ridgelawn Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6400
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6400
Gr: PK-5 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1313.
Sand Hill-venable Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
154 Sand Hill School Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5028
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5028
Gr: PK-4 | 539 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1414.
Avery's Creek Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
15 Park South Boulevard
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1810
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 654-1810
Gr: PK-4 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1515.
Leicester Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
31 Gilbert Road
Leicester, NC 28748
(828) 683-2341
Leicester, NC 28748
(828) 683-2341
Gr: PK-4 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1616.
Oakley Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
753 Fairview Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 274-7515
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 274-7515
Gr: PK-5 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1717.
Williams Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
161 Bee Tree Road
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-3856
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 686-3856
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1818.
Johnston Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
230 Johnston Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4291
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4291
Gr: PK-4 | 184 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: n/an/a
39 S Main Street
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-4275
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-4275
Gr: PK-1 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Buncombe County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Asheville Primary (Closed 2024)
Magnet School
441 Haywood Rd
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-2900
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-2900
Gr: PK-4 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Buncombe Community Sch-west Elementary School (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
128 Sand Hill School Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5040
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5040
Gr: 2-8 | 59 students Minority enrollment: 14%
741 Old Us 70 Hwy
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 251-6168
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 251-6168
Gr: Inquire with school
Swannanoa Valley Youth Dev Center (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
741 Old Hwy 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 258-5888
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 258-5888
Gr: Inquire with school
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Buncombe County, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Buncombe County, NC include Glen Arden Elementary School, Bell Elementary School and Haw Creek Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Buncombe County?
19 public preschools are located in Buncombe County.
What is the racial composition of students in Buncombe County?
Buncombe County public preschools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Buncombe County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Buncombe County include: Avery's Creek Elementary School vs. Glen Arden Elementary School, Glen Arden Elementary School vs. Avery's Creek Elementary School, Williams Elementary School vs. Bell Elementary School
Recent Articles
School Vouchers: Updated Pros and Cons (2025 Review)
Comprehensive 2025 analysis of school vouchers, weighing benefits and challenges for families, funding, outcomes, and policy directions.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Homework in 2025
Explore updated 2025 insights on homework鈥檚 benefits, drawbacks, mental health impact, best practices, and policy trends in U.S. public schools.
Charter Schools vs Public Schools 2025: Key Differences & Trends
Explore updated 2025 insights comparing charter schools vs public schools, enrollment, academic outcomes, funding, and real-world examples for families and educators.
