Total enrollment
2,025
-314 (-13%) vs SY 2017-18
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.
7-year change in Avery County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
10
-4 (-29%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
80%
was 84%
% Hispanic
16%
was 12%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
10
3 districts
Enrollment
2,025
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 7-year window, public-school enrollment declined 13%: 2,339 students in SY 2017-18 versus 2,025 in SY 2024-25. The school count fell from 14 to 10 across the same 7-year window. Demographically, the White share of enrollment shrank from 84% to 80%.
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
Avery County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data