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Leicester Elementary

Q: Is Leicester Elementary a good school?

Leicester Elementary ranks 505 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-4

505^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 66% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Leicester Elementary is a public PK–4 school in Leicester, North Carolina, serving about 399 students just northwest of Asheville as part of Buncombe County Schools. The school has become one of the region's clearest rising stars: after a difficult 2023–24 school year, when it ranked in the 24th percentile statewide (1 star), Leicester has climbed to the 66th percentile (3 stars) in the most recent rankings—a jump of more than 600 places in just two years. The improvement appears across multiple grades and subject areas, which points to genuine schoolwide momentum rather than a one-classroom fluke.

Academically, Leicester now holds its own against—and often beats—district and state averages. The clearest bright spot is 4th grade math, where 74.7% of students scored proficient, more than 11 points above the Buncombe County average and roughly 13 points above the state. Third grade reading (61%) also clears both district and state averages. Almost 99% of Leicester's students qualify for free/reduced lunch, yet the school's low-income subgroup ranked at the 81st percentile statewide—evidence that the school is getting strong results for the very students it primarily serves. Locally, Leicester sits firmly in the upper-middle tier: it trails only Weaverville Elementary and West Buncombe Elementary among its closest neighbors, and it now clearly outpaces Candler Elementary, Emma Elementary, Sand Hill-Venable Elementary, Johnston Elementary, and Woodfin Elementary.

Challenges do remain. Fourth grade reading (57.8%) still trails the district average, and chronic absenteeism—though dramatically improved from nearly 40% to 21% in four years—remains above the Buncombe County rate of 18.7%. The data also shows that Hispanic students have not yet experienced the same gains as their classmates, making that an important group to watch. For parents, the big picture is encouraging: this is a high-poverty school that has improved quickly, with broad-based growth in test scores, rising results for economically disadvantaged students, improving attendance, and a record of succeeding without unusually small classes or extra funding. If that momentum continues, Leicester Elementary should keep climbing.

399

Students ?

15.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

98.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

31 Gilbert Road
Leicester, NC 28748-9601

(828) 683-2341

District: Buncombe County Schools

Students who attend Leicester Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Eblen Intermediate
	Erwin Middle
High:	Center for Career Innovation
	Erwin High
	Nesbitt Discovery Academy

Racial breakdown:

White:

80.7%

Hispanic:

15.3%

African American:

2.0%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Leicester Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 44th percentile in 2016 → 66th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the North Carolina average (65% vs 60% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 22 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the North Carolina median (66th percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school65%

District avg62%

North Carolina avg60%

505^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 34%▲ up 22 pts since 2016

From bottom 44% (2016) to top 34% (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	65.2	505 of 1492	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	43.9	852 of 1490	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	27.7	1145 of 1505	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	48.0	796 of 1502	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	39.2	933 of 1514	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	38.8	887 of 1489	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	57.9	622 of 1473	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	54.2	673 of 1434	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	30.4	1072 of 1429	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	46.8	798 of 1425	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2015	49.5	760 of 1440	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2014	57.0	588 of 1390	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	48.1	695 of 1403	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	38.6	963 of 1388	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2011	51.9	760 of 1381	45.0%	★★☆☆☆
2010	58.3	643 of 1363	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	46.8	821 of 1354	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2008	58.2	579 of 1324	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2007	54.0	667 of 1293	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2006	55.5	613 of 1276	52.0%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	40.8	334 of 634	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	21.9	794 of 897	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	65.4	443 of 1447	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.9	770 of 1451	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	21.6	1229 of 1455	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	33.1	1004 of 1459	31.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	33.1	1013 of 1458	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	38.2	855 of 1440	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	72.5	340 of 1424	76.1%	★★★★☆
2018	61.0	569 of 1405	59.5%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	29.8	745 of 961	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	21.5	739 of 843	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	51.0	410 of 851	51.8%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	72.8	266 of 1434	81.5%	★★★★☆
2025	43.7	830 of 1437	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	28.0	1168 of 1450	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	60.5	485 of 1437	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.8	604 of 1366	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	54.5	507 of 1329	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	73.7	248 of 1361	81.8%	★★★★☆
2018	72.2	274 of 1332	79.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	62.6	530 of 1451	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	40.8	881 of 1450	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	37.6	943 of 1464	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	63.5	500 of 1461	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	44.2	823 of 1464	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	38.7	868 of 1444	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	39.0	936 of 1430	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.4	820 of 1413	42.0%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	48.9	612 of 1146	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	30.3	893 of 1172	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	13.9	1106 of 1166	5.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	26.0	972 of 1183	17.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.5	995 of 1194	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	25.9	938 of 1172	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	36.2	831 of 1183	29.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	30.0	942 of 1178	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)81st percentile+15 vs school

Female (2026)69th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)63rd percentile-3 vs school

Disabled (2022)47th percentile+9 vs school

White (2026)47th percentile-20 vs school

Hispanic (2025)22nd percentile-20 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics72%+8 vs state

Reading59%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Leicester Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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 Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Leicester Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	31 Gilbert Road	Leicester	28748	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 683-2341	399	26	15.3	98.7%	322 (80.7%)	8 (2.0%)	61 (15.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	6 (1.5%)	65.2	505^th of 1492 public elementary schools	66.2%		43.9	852^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	42.8%	347	67.8	74.7		61.0	57.8			$11,642	$1,459	$10,183
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
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
Woodfin Elementary	Public	K-5	108 Elk Mountain Road	Asheville	28804	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 232-4287	111	11	10.2	97.3%	39 (35.1%)	3 (2.7%)	60 (54.1%)	2 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (6.3%)	7	1453^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	2.6%		8.2	1442^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	3.2%	11	31.6	35.7		31.6	32.1			$17,004	$1,575	$15,428
Emma Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	37 Brickyard Road	Asheville	28806	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 232-4272	277	22	12.8	98.2%	86 (31.0%)	36 (13.0%)	142 (51.3%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (4.0%)	38.7	927^th of 1492 public elementary schools	37.9%		18.3	1312^th of 1490 public elementary schools	11.9%	385	66.7	58.5		38.5	49.1			$12,874	$1,531	$11,343
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
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
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
Weaverville Elementary	Public	2-4	129 S Main Street	Weaverville	28787	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 645-3127	342	22	15.9	97.4%	272 (79.5%)	7 (2.0%)	50 (14.6%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.6%)	85	180^th of 1492 public elementary schools	87.9%		81.6	229^th of 1490 public elementary schools	84.6%	49	78.8	81.0		69.7	73.8			$10,024	$1,099	$8,924
Weaverville Primary	Public	PK, KG-1	39 S Main Street	Weaverville	28787	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 645-4275	245	16	15.8	98.8%	194 (79.2%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (15.5%)	3 (1.2%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	8 (3.3%)								(n/a)								$13,048	$1,194	$11,853

Frequently Asked Questions about Leicester Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Leicester Elementary?

Students at Leicester Elementary are 81% White, 15% Hispanic, 2% African American, 2% Two or more races.

How many students attend Leicester Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 399 students attended Leicester Elementary.

Is Leicester Elementary a good school?

Leicester Elementary ranks 505^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Leicester Elementary in?

Buncombe County Schools

What schools do graduates of Leicester Elementary attend?

Students who attend Leicester Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Eblen Intermediate
Middle : Erwin Middle
High : Center for Career Innovation
High : Erwin High
High : Nesbitt Discovery Academy

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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.