For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public high schools serving 8,071 students in Asheville, NC.
The top ranked public high schools in Asheville, NC are Nesbitt Discovery Academy, Early College and School Of Inquiry And Life Sciences. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Asheville, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Asheville have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
Asheville, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 90%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Nesbitt Discovery Academy, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Asheville, NC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Nesbitt Discovery Academy
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
175 Bingham Rd Ste 10
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 271-4521
Grades: 9-12
| 379 students
Rank: #22.
Early College
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4123
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4123
Grades: 9-13
| 237 students
Rank: #33.
School Of Inquiry And Life Sciences
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
419 Mcdowell Street
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 350-2700
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 350-2700
Grades: 9-12
| 352 students
Rank: #44.
Roberson High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
250 Overlook Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1765
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1765
Grades: 9-12
| 1,495 students
Rank: #55.
Reynolds High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
One Rocket Drive
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 298-2500
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 298-2500
Grades: 9-12
| 1,156 students
Rank: #66.
Asheville High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
419 Mcdowell Street
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 350-2500
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 350-2500
Grades: 9-12
| 1,165 students
Rank: #77.
Erwin High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
60 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4251
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4251
Grades: 9-12
| 1,052 students
Rank: #88.
The Franklin School Of Innovation
Charter School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
61 Innovation Dr
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 318-8140
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 318-8140
Grades: 5-12
| 706 students
Rank: #99.
Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
21 Trinity Chapel Rd, Building
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 255-5102
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 255-5102
Grades: K-12
| 280 students
Rank: #1010.
Ic Imagine
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
110 Champion Way
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 633-6491
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 633-6491
Grades: K-12
| 1,218 students
Rank: n/an/a
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4123
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-4123
Grades: 10-13
| 31 students
Asheville, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Asheville Primary (Closed 2024)
Magnet School
441 Haywood Rd
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-2900
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-2900
Grades: PK-4
| 145 students
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
Grades: 2-8
| 59 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Asheville, NC?
The top ranked public high schools in Asheville, NC include Nesbitt Discovery Academy, Early College and School Of Inquiry And Life Sciences.
How many public high schools are located in Asheville?
11 public high schools are located in Asheville.
What is the racial composition of students in Asheville?
Asheville public high schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Asheville are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Asheville include: Roberson High School vs. Reynolds High School, School Of Inquiry And Life Sciences vs. Asheville High School, Reynolds High School vs. Roberson High School
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
