Francine Delany New School

Francine Delany New School is the sole public charter school serving grades K-8 in Asheville, North Carolina. This small school of 178 students stands out for its diverse student population, strong academic performance, and low student-teacher ratio.

With a student body that is 53.93% White, 24.16% African American, 6.74% Hispanic, 1.69% Asian, and 12.92% two or more races, Francine Delany New School has a notably diverse student population. This diversity is a strength, as research has shown that diverse learning environments can provide benefits for students. Academically, the school outperforms the state average in mathematics proficiency for grades 4-8 and reading proficiency for grades 3-8, as well as having high proficiency rates in 5th and 8th grade science. While the school's statewide ranking has fluctuated in recent years, it has consistently been in the top half of North Carolina elementary schools.

With a low student-teacher ratio of 11.7, Francine Delany New School is able to provide personalized attention and support to its students. While the school's overall performance is strong, there are a few areas, such as 3rd grade mathematics and 8th grade reading, where proficiency rates are below the state average, suggesting potential areas for improvement. Overall, this small, diverse, and high-performing public charter school stands out as a valuable educational option for families in the Asheville area.