Buncombe County Schools report record graduation rates and continuous improvement efforts

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a budget work session on May 2, 2025, where education metrics and school performance were key topics of discussion. The meeting highlighted the upcoming end-of-grade assessments for students in grades three through eight and end-of-course assessments for high school students, with officials expressing optimism about the data expected in the coming weeks.

A significant focus was placed on the performance of Buncombe County Schools, with recent data indicating that 35 schools met or exceeded growth expectations for the 2023-2024 academic year. This growth metric is considered a vital indicator of school performance, as it evaluates individual student progress from the beginning to the end of the academic year. While the current results are promising, officials expressed a goal of having 45 schools exceed growth in the future.

The discussion also addressed the designation of low-performing schools, a label that officials criticized for often reflecting socioeconomic factors rather than educational quality. In 2021, 13 schools were classified as low performing, a number that has since decreased to nine. The administration aims for zero schools to hold this designation, emphasizing the dedication and hard work of faculty and staff in achieving continuous improvement.

Another highlight of the meeting was the cohort graduation rate, which has seen a record increase. The graduation rate for the class of 2024 reached 91.5%, surpassing the previous year's record of 90.98%. This upward trend in graduation rates reflects the ongoing efforts of the school system and sets a positive tone as graduation ceremonies approach for all 11 high schools in the county.

Overall, the meeting underscored the commitment of Buncombe County Schools to improve educational outcomes and the importance of continuous assessment and growth in the district. The administration looks forward to sharing further data and celebrating student achievements in the near future.