ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Students in Buncombe County and Asheville City schools continue to outperform much of North Carolina in several key education measures during the 2024-25 school year, according to the latest North Carolina School Report Cards, with Asheville City Schools posting one of the state’s strongest graduation rates and Buncombe County Schools showing widespread academic growth.

The annual report cards, released by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, measure school and district performance using standardized test scores, academic growth, graduation rates and college readiness indicators.

Statewide, about 55 percent of students were proficient on end-of-grade and end-of-course reading and math exams, while about 67 percent were proficient in science. North Carolina’s four-year graduation rate was about 88 percent, providing a benchmark for local districts.

Asheville City Schools outpace state averages

Asheville City Schools continues to exceed state averages in several of North Carolina’s most closely watched performance measures.

The district’s four-year graduation rate reached 93 percent, well above the statewide average of 88 percent. It also reported a 1.08 percent dropout rate, lower than the state’s 1.34 percent.

Students also outperformed statewide averages in college readiness. About 72 percent of Asheville High School students met the ACT college-readiness benchmark by scoring at least a 19, compared with 55 percent statewide.

Early literacy also remained a strength. Sixty-one percent of third graders were proficient in reading, compared with 47 percent statewide.

The district serves about 3,800 students across eight schools.

Buncombe County Schools sees strong academic growth

While Buncombe County Schools is much larger — serving more than 21,000 students in 45 schools — the district’s report card highlights gains in student growth.

According to district data:

• 31 schools met or exceeded the state’s academic growth expectations.
• Twenty-five of 27 elementary and intermediate schools met or exceeded reading growth goals.
• Nineteen schools improved their overall proficiency rates.
• Four schools improved by a full letter grade.
• One school was removed from the state’s low-performing list.

District leaders also said the latest graduating class posted the second-highest graduation rate in Buncombe County Schools history, with the past three graduating classes representing the district’s three highest graduation rates on record.

The state assigned performance grades to 42 Buncombe County schools, with nine schools designated as low-performing, meaning they earned a D or F and did not meet the state’s performance standards.

Growth and achievement tell different stories

North Carolina’s accountability system measures schools using two different indicators.

Achievement reflects the percentage of students who score proficient on state exams, while growth measures whether students made the academic progress expected over the course of the school year, regardless of where they started.

School performance grades are based on 80 percent student achievement and 20 percent academic growth, meaning schools can demonstrate strong student progress even if overall proficiency rates remain below the state average.

Local schools compared with the state

Compared with statewide results, Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools showed strengths, though in different areas.

Asheville City Schools stood out in graduation rates, ACT performance and third-grade reading proficiency.

Buncombe County Schools distinguished itself through widespread academic growth, with most elementary schools meeting or exceeding reading growth goals and dozens of schools making measurable gains despite ongoing academic recovery efforts.

The report cards also include district and school-level data on math, science, attendance, teacher effectiveness, Advanced Placement participation, career and technical education, school climate and college enrollment.

The results come as educators continue working to accelerate learning following several years of academic disruption, including the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene on schools across Western North Carolina.