- Reynolds High — Grades 9–12 · 1169 students
- Reynolds Middle — Grades 6–8 · 490 students
- Black Mountain Primary — Grades PK–3 · 351 students
- Bell Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 224 students
- Candler Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 381 students
- Owen High — Grades 9–12 · 649 students
- Erwin High — Grades 9–12 · 1013 students
- Erwin Middle — Grades 7–8 · 545 students
- Emma Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 277 students
- Enka High — Grades 9–12 · 1051 students
- Fairview Elementary — Grades K–5 · 646 students
- Glen Arden Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 505 students
- Haw Creek Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 402 students
- Johnston Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 217 students
- Leicester Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 399 students
- North Buncombe High — Grades 9–12 · 896 students
- Oakley Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 502 students
- Pisgah Elementary — Grades K–4 · 162 students
- Enka Middle — Grades 7–8 · 588 students
- Williams Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 451 students
- Roberson High — Grades 9–12 · 1479 students
- Valley Springs Middle — Grades 5–8 · 654 students
- Weaverville Elementary — Grades 2–4 · 342 students
- Weaverville Primary — Grades PK–1 · 245 students
- West Buncombe Elementary — Grades K–4 · 580 students
- Woodfin Elementary — Grades K–5 · 111 students
- Sand Hill-Venable Elem — Grades PK–4 · 590 students
- Barnardsville Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 125 students
- Black Mountain Elementary — Grades 4–5 · 163 students
- Avery's Creek Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 557 students
- Hope Middle — Grades 6–8 · 952 students
- A G Cox Middle — Grades 6–8 · 778 students
- C M Eppes Middle — Grades 6–8 · 631 students
- E B Aycock Middle — Grades 6–8 · 617 students
- Farmville Middle — Grades 6–8 · 552 students
- Wellcome Middle — Grades 6–8 · 391 students
- Ayden Middle — Grades 6–8 · 365 students
- D H Conley High — Grades 9–12 · 1,757 students
- South Central — Grades 9–12 · 1,738 students
- Junius H Rose High — Grades 9–12 · 1,568 students
- North Leicester High — Grades 9–12 · 854 students
- Farmville Central High — Grades 9–12 · 778 students
- Ayden-Grifton High — Grades 9–12 · 757 students
- PCS Early College High School — Grades 9 · 334 students
- Innovation Early College High — Grades 9 · 227 students
- Chicod — Grades PK–8 · 902 students
- Pactolus — Grades PK–8 · 657 students
- G R Whitfield — Grades PK–8 · 560 students
- Grifton — Grades PK–8 · 395 students
- Sadie Saulter — Grades PK–8 · 300 students
- Bethel Elementary — Grades PK–8 · 232 students
- Stokes — Grades PK–8 · 218 students
- Leicester County Virtual — Grades K–12 · 38 students
- Vidant Health — Grades PK–12 · 24 students
| Metric | Buncombe County Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 22,091 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 45 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,425/yr | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buncombe County Schools (this district) | 6/10 | 55th | 22,091 |
| Pitt County Schools | 7/10 | 68th | 24,091 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 115 rated districts in NC → 55th percentile → 6/10.
Source: North Carolina Dept. of Public Instruction EOG, grades 3–8 Reading & Math Grade Level Proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Buncombe County Schools
Buncombe County Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 28748 in Leicester, North Carolina. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 28748. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Buncombe County Schools spent $11,425 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), 9% above North Carolina’s statewide $10,500 estimate. Of the district’s 2019 graduating cohort of 1,998 students, an estimated 91% earned a diploma within four years (EDFacts adjusted cohort graduation rate).
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 45 schools serving grades K–12, Buncombe County Schools qualifies as a very large district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 22,091 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
With a rating of 6/10 (average), Buncombe County Schools ranks among North Carolina’s above-average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in North Carolina’s EOG grades 3–8 Reading & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because North Carolina is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Buncombe County Schools earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in North Carolina. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 28748
Children in zip code 28748 are assigned to Buncombe County Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 28748, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Buncombe County Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — North Carolina districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Leicester
For families considering a purchase in the Leicester area, district assignment matters financially. Because Buncombe County Schools serves zip code 28748, homes in and around zip code 28748 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In North Carolina, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Buncombe County Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 28748.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Buncombe County Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 28748 data.