For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public preschools serving 4,298 students in Asheville, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Asheville, NC are Bell Elementary School, Haw Creek Elementary School and Estes Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Asheville, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Asheville have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Asheville, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Bell Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
90 Maple Springs Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-3789
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-3789
Gr: PK-5 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Haw Creek Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10 Bethesda Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-4022
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 298-4022
Gr: PK-5 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #33.
Estes Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
275 Overlook Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1795
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 654-1795
Gr: PK-4 | 754 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #44.
Isaac Dickson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
125 Hill Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6800
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 350-6800
Gr: PK-5 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #55.
Lucy S. Herring Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
98 Sulphur Springs Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6600
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6600
Gr: PK-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
Ira B Jones Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
544 Kimberly Avenue
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 350-6700
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 350-6700
Gr: PK-5 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #77.
Hall Fletcher Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
60 Ridgelawn Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6400
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-6400
Gr: PK-5 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #88.
Sand Hill-venable Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
154 Sand Hill School Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5028
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 670-5028
Gr: PK-4 | 590 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #99.
Oakley Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
753 Fairview Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 274-7515
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 274-7515
Gr: PK-5 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1010.
Emma Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
37 Brickyard Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4272
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4272
Gr: PK-4 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1111.
Johnston Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
230 Johnston Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4291
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-4291
Gr: PK-4 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Asheville, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Asheville, NC include Bell Elementary School, Haw Creek Elementary School and Estes Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Asheville?
11 public preschools are located in Asheville.
What is the racial composition of students in Asheville?
Asheville public preschools minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Asheville are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Asheville include: Emma Elementary School vs. Isaac Dickson Elementary School, Lucy S. Herring Elementary School vs. Hall Fletcher Elementary School, Johnston Elementary School vs. Lucy S. Herring Elementary School
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