Asheville, August 17, 2025

News Summary

The Asheville City Board of Education discusses a decline in district enrollment alongside an increase in student achievement for the current school year. Enrollment has decreased by 56 students, totaling 3,840, while overall student performance improved by 2.5%. Progress is particularly noted among Black students who saw a 3.5% increase in achievement. The board also addressed continuing challenges related to the achievement gap and the impact of the private school voucher program on public funding.

Asheville

The Asheville City Board of Education convened on September 16 to address the ongoing challenges of district enrollment alongside notable progress in student achievement for the 2023-24 school year. Superintendent Maggie Fehrman reported that enrollment has decreased more slowly than in previous years, dropping by 56 students for a total of 3,840 students in the district.

Despite the decline in enrollment, Asheville City Schools (ACS) saw an overall improvement in student achievement, rising by 2.5% according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). One of the significant highlights was the narrowing of the achievement gap between Black and white students. Black students showed a 3.5% increase in achievement, while white students experienced a 2% growth. Now, 17% of Black students have reached proficiency, compared to 76% of white students. The district’s overall proficiency rate stands at 58%, with students identified as Black comprising 17% of the enrollment.

The achievement gap issues in Asheville City Schools have been persistent. In 2017, the district received a “worst-in-the-state” designation, and a 2019 report from Stanford highlighted it as having the fifth-largest gap in the country. In response, Fehrman has established a goal for all schools within the district to achieve student growth, aiming for Black student proficiency rates to hit 50% or more.

Christopher Gordon, an ACS employee, acknowledged the progress made for Black students but emphasized that a more focused approach is necessary to effectively close the achievement gap. Gains in grades 3-8 included nearly a 6% rise in math scores, with notable improvements seen at Hall Fletcher Elementary, Lucy S. Herring Elementary, and Asheville Middle School. While reading scores rose slightly by about 2%, fifth and eighth-grade science scores climbed by an impressive 8.4%.

However, high school achievement reflected a different trend, with overall proficiency showing a decline of 2.2%. English proficiency fell by 3.8%, while math proficiency dropped by 3.5%. Nonetheless, Black high school students made progress, improving their achievement rate from 11% to 14%.

The reduction in enrollment is attributed to a combination of factors, including a national decline in birth rates and substantial losses at the middle school level. The closure of Montford North Star Academy, one of the district’s two middle schools, notably impacted student numbers. Between July 1 and September 3, the district recorded 606 student withdrawals against 650 new enrollments, with a significant number of departures heading to charter (93) and private (55) schools.

In light of these educational challenges, members of the Asheville City Schools Board have unanimously passed a resolution requesting a moratorium on the state’s private school voucher program until public schools receive adequate funding. This call for action echoes similar resolutions made by other local governing bodies, such as the Buncombe County Board of Education. Concerns regarding the financial implications of the voucher program have been raised, with estimates projecting that local public school districts could lose approximately $5.6 million by the fiscal year 2027.

Key Achievements and Challenges in Asheville City Schools

• Enrollment: Decreased by 56 students; total now 3,840.
• Overall Student Achievement: Increased by 2.5% in 2023-24.
• Achievement Gap: Black student achievement increased by 3.5%; white students increased by 2%.
• Proficiency Rates: 17% of Black students, 76% of white students proficient.
• High School Proficiency: Overall decline of 2.2%; Black high school students improved from 11% to 14%.
• Impact of Voucher Program: Estimated cost to local districts of $5.6 million by fiscal year 2027.

FAQ

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Asheville City Schools Plagued by Budget Shortfall
Buncombe County Board of Education Plans for Expansion
Free Tuition Programs Enhance Accessibility to Higher Education in Asheville
Asheville City Schools Enhances Teacher Involvement
Asheville Recovers: A Community’s Resilience Post-Hurricane Helene
Enrollment Soars at North Carolina Universities After Hurricane Helene’s Wrath

Additional Resources

• AOL News: Best Private K-12 Schools
• Avery Journal: Best Private K-12 Schools in Asheville Metro Area
• Mountain X: Enrollment Down, Achievement Up at Asheville City Schools
• Christian Post: Christian School in North Carolina Lawsuit
• Wikipedia: Asheville
• Google Search: Asheville schools

Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER

The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.