Montford North Star Academy

As a very small middle-grades school in Asheville, North Carolina, Montford North Star Academy serves 217 students from grades 6 through 8, run under Asheville City Schools. That puts it 64% leaner than the typical public school in North Carolina, which averages around 605 students.

Asheville City Schools runs 9 schools in total, collectively educating 4,177 students. Montford North Star Academy is one of those campuses.

Looking at the student body, Montford North Star Academy lists that 67% of the student body identifies as White. Beyond that, the school shows 17% Black, 10% Hispanic, 5% multiracial. By comparison, Buncombe County as a whole is about 82% White, so the school skews meaningfully less White than its surroundings.

Looking at the economic backdrop, On paper, Montford North Star Academy has 19 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 12.4:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 15.9:1, putting Montford North Star Academy tighter than the state norm the norm. Around 46% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. By comparison, Buncombe County runs at roughly 88%, so the school's eligibility rate is lower than the surrounding baseline.

In the surrounding community, the surrounding county (Buncombe County) records that median household earnings sit near $74,436, roughly 46% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 6%. Montford North Star Academy is one of 61 public schools in Buncombe County (combined enrollment of about 29,908 students).

The closest other public school is Isaac Dickson Elementary, roughly 0.3 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools.

Geographically, the school is in a high-density area.

Five-year trend. Over the past 6-year window, the student count grew 165%: 82 students in 2018 compared to 217 in 2024. Over the same period, the White share ticked up from 55% to 67%. Class-load math has pulled in: from 13.2:1 in 2018 to 11.4:1 in 2024.

In the discussion threads here, members of the Montford North Star Academy community share and discuss enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. The community welcomes input from current and former families.