Total enrollment
2,025
-75 (-4%) vs SY 2020-21
Avery County
North Carolina · Public K-12
Avery County's public schools, 10 in all, serve approximately 2,025 K-12 students inside North Carolina, with Avery County Schools the largest district by enrollment. That works out to 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools.
4-year change in Avery County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
10
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Avery County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In North Carolina | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 49.9% | #55 of 93 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,025 | #86 of 98 | #2,217 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 10 | #73 of 98 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.3:1 | #6 of 98 | #1,020 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 97.1% | #49 of 98 | #164 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 33.8% | #84 of 94 | #1,682 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Avery County school rankings
Residents
17,680
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
10
3 districts
Enrollment
2,025
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$61,428
Below North Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
97.1%
Above North Carolina avg
Elementary
5
857 students
Middle
2
383 students
High
2
655 students
Combined / other
1
130 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Avery County Schools
1,782 students · 3 districts in Avery County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Avery County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
25.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.8%
civilian labor
Median age
47
14.4% under 18
Test scores in Avery County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 9 schools ranked. North Carolina state average: 51.8%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Mayland Early College· 89.3%
- Banner Elk Elementary· 72.7%
- Cranberry Middle· 63.7%
- Freedom Trail Elementary· 58.8%
- Avery County High· 49.6%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Avery Middle· 36.5%
- Riverside Elementary· 38.1%
- Newland Elementary· 43.3%
- Crossnore Elementary· 46.2%
- Avery County High· 49.6%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avery County High | Newland | High | 09-12 | 542 | · |
| Newland Elementary | Newland | Elementary | PK-05 | 214 | · |
| Cranberry Middle | Elk Park | Middle | 06-08 | 202 | · |
| Freedom Trail Elementary | Elk Park | Elementary | PK-05 | 202 | · |
| Crossnore Elementary | Crossnore | Elementary | PK-05 | 184 | · |
| Avery Middle | Newland | Middle | 06-08 | 181 | · |
| Banner Elk Elementary | Banner Elk | Elementary | PK-05 | 159 | · |
| Marjorie Williams Academy | Newland | Combined | KG-12 | 130 | · |
| Mayland Early College | Spruce Pine | High | 09-13 | 113 | · |
| Riverside Elementary | Newland | Elementary | PK-05 | 98 | · |
Cities in Avery County
About Avery County
Across the low-population North Carolina county of Avery County of about 17,680 residents, the public-school footprint covers 10 schools and about 2,025 students.
In context, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $61,428, about 25% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 6%.
In terms of grade levels, Avery County consists of 5 elementary schools (857 students), 2 middle schools (383), 2 high schools (655), and 1 combined or other schools.
Avery County Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,782 students on its own.
Five-year track record. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment declined 4%: 2,100 students in SY 2020-21 versus 2,025 in SY 2024-25.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Avery County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data