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Candler Elementary

Q: Is Candler Elementary a good school?

Candler Elementary ranks 691 st of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-4

691^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 54% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Candler Elementary is a PK–4 public school in Candler, NC, serving 381 students within Buncombe County Schools, where nearly all students come from economically disadvantaged households. Despite sitting in the middle of North Carolina's elementary rankings (54th percentile in 2025-26), Candler clearly outperforms nearby high-poverty schools like Johnston Elementary, Emma Elementary, and Sand Hill-Venable Elementary on state tests. For example, Candler's 4th-grade math proficiency of 63.4% outpaced Johnston by 13.4 points. It trails higher-ranked peers like West Buncombe Elementary and Hominy Valley Elementary, though its 4th-grade reading proficiency (57.7%) actually exceeds Pisgah Elementary's (54.8%).

Academically, math is a clear strength. In 2024-25, Candler's 3rd-grade math proficiency (66.7%) beat the district average of 58.8% and the state's 64.1%. However, reading remains a challenge, especially in 3rd grade, where proficiency was just 52.4% in 2025-26—about 6.6 points below the district average. Encouragingly, 4th-grade reading has reached state-average levels in recent years, suggesting students gain momentum as they move up. One of Candler's most distinctive features is its subgroup performance: English Learner students rank in the 89th percentile statewide relative to similar schools, and low-socioeconomic students rank in the 65th percentile. Given that nearly every student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, this "beating the odds" pattern shows the school is especially effective at serving underserved learners.

Attendance has become a quiet success story. Candler's chronic absenteeism dropped from 31.2% in 2022-23 to just 16.0% in 2024-25, now better than the district average (18.7%) and most local schools. While year-to-year rankings fluctuate due to small tested cohorts, the overall picture is consistent: strong math, improving literacy, excellent outcomes for English Learners and low-income students, and a clear focus on getting kids to school. For parents, Candler is a solid, high-engagement school delivering strong results despite the challenges of poverty.

381

Students ?

13.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

99.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

121 Candler School Road
Candler, NC 28715-9313

(828) 670-5018

District: Buncombe County Schools

Students who attend Candler Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Enka Middle
High:	Center for Career Innovation
	Enka High
	Nesbitt Discovery Academy

Racial breakdown:

White:

68.2%

Hispanic:

23.6%

African American:

5.2%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Candler Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 42nd percentile in 2016 → 54th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 12 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the North Carolina median (54th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school59%

District avg62%

North Carolina avg60%

691^st of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 46%▲ up 12 pts since 2016

From bottom 42% (2016) to top 46% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

109^th of 246Buncombe County Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	52.0	691 of 1492	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.7	519 of 1490	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.7	840 of 1505	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	52.7	724 of 1502	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.8	729 of 1514	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	31.8	998 of 1489	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	34.9	1021 of 1473	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	50.7	735 of 1434	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2017	51.9	716 of 1429	49.9%	★★☆☆☆
2016	45.3	833 of 1425	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2015	49.8	754 of 1440	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2014	59.5	546 of 1390	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	61.4	501 of 1403	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	54.5	700 of 1388	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2011	55.0	706 of 1381	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2010	62.9	557 of 1363	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	57.0	667 of 1354	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2008	62.9	498 of 1324	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2007	63.5	481 of 1293	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2006	64.9	441 of 1276	65.4%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	22.4	782 of 878	10.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	31.8	659 of 897	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	78.6	56 of 519	89.2%	★★★★☆
2025	61.6	141 of 563	75.0%	★★★★☆
2024	66.4	107 of 533	79.9%	★★★★☆
2019	32.3	373 of 497	24.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	41.2	243 of 421	42.3%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	52.9	666 of 1447	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.9	657 of 1451	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	40.0	902 of 1455	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	55.7	623 of 1459	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	47.6	752 of 1458	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	32.0	965 of 1440	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	45.6	815 of 1424	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	56.1	649 of 1405	53.8%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	52.1	451 of 981	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.6	335 of 961	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.7	244 of 951	74.3%	★★★★☆
2023	56.5	335 of 915	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.0	254 of 893	71.6%	★★★★☆
2021	30.2	636 of 843	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	38.0	568 of 865	34.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	57.0	315 of 851	63.0%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	59.5	503 of 1434	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	71.8	286 of 1437	80.1%	★★★★☆
2024	49.0	725 of 1450	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.8	361 of 1437	74.9%	★★★★☆
2022	57.9	501 of 1366	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	31.4	934 of 1329	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	47.1	747 of 1361	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	62.8	439 of 1332	67.0%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	49.7	722 of 1451	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	66.9	422 of 1450	70.9%	★★★★☆
2024	50.2	743 of 1464	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	49.1	764 of 1461	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	55.0	640 of 1464	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	31.6	966 of 1444	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	29.5	1104 of 1430	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	46.3	824 of 1413	41.7%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	32.6	860 of 1146	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	50.5	593 of 1172	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	22.5	996 of 1166	14.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	35.6	833 of 1183	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	36.1	816 of 1194	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	18.5	1051 of 1172	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	15.5	1096 of 1183	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	29.2	949 of 1178	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

English Language Learner (2026)89th percentile+36 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)65th percentile+11 vs school

Hispanic (2026)54th percentile~ school

Female (2026)54th percentile~ school

Male (2026)50th percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)25th percentile-29 vs school

Disabled (2019)11th percentile-20 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics64%~ state avg

Reading55%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Candler Elementary

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Ranking:

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Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)						EOG Reading (2026)						EOG Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Candler Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	121 Candler School Road	Candler	28715	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 670-5018	381	28	13.8	99.2%	260 (68.2%)	20 (5.2%)	90 (23.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.6%)	52	691^st of 1492 public elementary schools	53.7%		62.7	519^th of 1490 public elementary schools	65.2%	172	64.6	63.4					52.4	57.7							$11,201	$1,431	$9,770
Hominy Valley Elementary	Public	K-4	450 Enka Lake Road	Candler	28715	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 665-0619	399	27	14.5	99.2%	325 (81.5%)	6 (1.5%)	58 (14.5%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.5%)	68.6	448^th of 1492 public elementary schools	70.0%		60.5	555^th of 1490 public elementary schools	62.8%	107	75.3	63.9					72.6	59.8							$10,305	$880	$9,425
Pisgah Elementary	Public	K-4	1495 Pisgah Hwy	Candler	28715	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 670-5023	162	14	11.5	98.1%	121 (74.7%)	1 (0.6%)	32 (19.8%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (4.3%)	65	506^th of 1492 public elementary schools	66.1%		51.5	718^th of 1490 public elementary schools	51.8%	212	75.9	73.8					58.6	54.8							$13,649	$1,435	$12,214
Sand Hill-Venable Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	154 Sand Hill School Road	Asheville	28806	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 670-5028	590	39	14.9	98.0%	311 (52.7%)	43 (7.3%)	213 (36.1%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	17 (2.9%)	36.1	979^th of 1492 public elementary schools	34.4%		31.2	1069^th of 1490 public elementary schools	28.3%	90	49.5	55.7					45.9	57.5							$11,842	$1,597	$10,245
Johnston Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	230 Johnston Boulevard	Asheville	28806	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 232-4291	217	17	12.4	98.6%	74 (34.1%)	41 (18.9%)	87 (40.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.4%)	12 (5.5%)	22	1247^th of 1492 public elementary schools	16.4%		6.7	1450^th of 1490 public elementary schools	2.7%	203	48.9	50.0					29.8	53.1							$14,890	$1,958	$12,932
Lucy S. Herring Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	98 Sulphur Springs Road	Asheville	28806	Buncombe County	Asheville City Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(828) 350-6600	255	22	11.4	46.3%	173 (67.8%)	33 (12.9%)	29 (11.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (7.5%)	63	535^th of 1492 public elementary schools	64.1%		69	408^th of 1490 public elementary schools	72.6%	127	63.0	73.6	59.6				60.9	78.8	48.9				72.3		$13,509	$1,024	$12,485
Francine Delany New School	Public, Charter	K-8	119 Brevard Road	Asheville	28806	Buncombe County	Francine Delany New School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(828) 236-9441	193	15	12.8		108 (56.0%)	41 (21.2%)	17 (8.8%)	4 (2.1%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (11.4%)	44	845^th of 1492 public elementary schools	43.4%		42.9	866^th of 1490 public elementary schools	41.9%	21	38.1	61.9	52.6	50.0	68.2	45.5	52.4	71.4	57.9	55.0	63.6	72.7	52.6	81.8
Asheville PEAK Academy	Public, Charter	K-7	133 Livingston Street	Asheville	28801	Buncombe County	Asheville PEAK Academy	Yes	No	No	No	(828) 239-3550	161	15	10.4		12 (7.5%)	109 (67.7%)	18 (11.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (13.7%)	20.6	1268^th of 1492 public elementary schools	15.0%		42	880^th of 1490 public elementary schools	40.9%	388	40.0	50.0	38.9	72.7	61.5		20.0	50.0	27.8	54.5	61.5		38.9
West Buncombe Elementary	Public	K-4	175 Erwin Hills Road	Asheville	28806	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 232-4282	580	39	14.7	98.1%	393 (67.8%)	21 (3.6%)	140 (24.1%)	7 (1.2%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (2.4%)	83.8	192^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	87.1%		81.9	220^th of 1490 public elementary schools	85.2%	28	86.9	76.6					70.7	68.5							$11,223	$1,315	$9,908
Meadowbrook Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	85 Morningstar Rd	Canton	28716	Haywood County	Haywood County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 646-3445	198	12	16.7	98.0%	170 (85.9%)	6 (3.0%)	17 (8.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.5%)	38.4	933^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	37.5%		35.2	996^th of 1490 public elementary schools	33.2%	63	61.8	50.0	37.5				61.8	53.6	31.3				56.3		$11,254	$1,792	$9,462

Frequently Asked Questions about Candler Elementary

How many students attend Candler Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 381 students attended Candler Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Candler Elementary attend?

Students who attend Candler Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Enka Middle
High : Center for Career Innovation
High : Enka High
High : Nesbitt Discovery Academy

What is the racial makeup of Candler Elementary?

Students at Candler Elementary are 68% White, 24% Hispanic, 5% African American, 3% Two or more races.

What district is Candler Elementary in?

Buncombe County Schools

Is Candler Elementary a good school?

Candler Elementary ranks 691^st of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Candler Elementary!

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.