Is FernLeaf a good school?

FernLeaf ranks 868 th of 1505 North Carolina alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend FernLeaf?

In the 2023-24 school year, 666 students attended FernLeaf.

What is the racial makeup of FernLeaf?

Students at FernLeaf are 86% White, 6% Two or more races, 6% Hispanic.

What district is FernLeaf in?

FernLeaf Community Charter School

FernLeaf School in Fletcher NC

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

FernLeaf:

SchoolDigger ranks FernLeaf 868^th of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See FernLeaf in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Special Education students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

White students:

SchoolDigger ranks FernLeaf 187^th of 793 North Carolina public middle schools. (See FernLeaf in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

White students:

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for FernLeaf.

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Your rating for FernLeaf?

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Rank History for FernLeaf

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Rank History for all elementary school students at FernLeaf

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NC State Percentile
2019	47.75	805^th	1473	45.3%
2021	66.60	448^th	1489	69.9%
2022	52.20	702^nd	1514	53.6%
2023	54.68	680^th	1502	54.7%
2024	43.22	868^th	1505	42.3%

See the entire list of North Carolina Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at FernLeaf

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NC State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	26.19	667^th	801	16.7%

See the entire list of Best North Carolina Alternative Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at FernLeaf

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NC State Percentile
2022	72.43	246^th	1366	82.0%
2023	68.18	351^st	1437	75.6%
2024	52.60	645^th	1450	55.5%

See the entire list of Best North Carolina Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at FernLeaf

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NC State Percentile
2018	38.38	953^rd	1405	32.2%
2019	51.47	717^th	1424	49.6%
2021	61.75	493^rd	1440	65.8%
2022	46.71	765^th	1458	47.5%
2023	47.54	781^st	1459	46.5%
2024	36.33	981^st	1455	32.6%

See the entire list of Best North Carolina Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Disabled students at FernLeaf

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NC State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	58.66	180^th	646	72.1%
2022	58.36	178^th	634	71.9%

See the entire list of Best North Carolina Alternative Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at FernLeaf

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NC State Percentile
2018	53.83	670^th	1413	52.6%
2019	50.31	735^th	1430	48.6%
2021	68.41	409^th	1444	71.7%
2022	56.30	623^rd	1464	57.4%
2023	60.73	548^th	1461	62.5%
2024	49.52	754^th	1464	48.5%

See the entire list of Best North Carolina Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at FernLeaf

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	NC State Percentile
2018	31.98	912^th	1178	22.6%
2019	31.64	909^th	1183	23.2%
2021	44.04	664^th	1172	43.3%
2022	33.94	854^th	1194	28.5%
2023	36.97	815^th	1183	31.1%
2024	26.39	948^th	1166	18.7%

See the entire list of Best North Carolina Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for FernLeaf

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Rank History for all middle school students at FernLeaf

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	NC State Percentile
2021	86.11	75^th	741	89.9%
2022	66.86	227^th	786	71.1%
2023	77.26	159^th	784	79.7%
2024	73.06	187^th	793	76.4%

See the entire list of North Carolina Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at FernLeaf

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	NC State Percentile
2022	74.49	104^th	689	84.9%
2023	82.60	71^st	735	90.3%
2024	73.55	120^th	743	83.8%

See the entire list of Best North Carolina Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at FernLeaf

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	NC State Percentile
2022	68.69	208^th	733	71.6%
2023	72.44	168^th	731	77.0%
2024	64.86	236^th	738	68.0%

See the entire list of Best North Carolina Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at FernLeaf

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	NC State Percentile
2021	85.38	78^th	711	89.0%
2022	63.19	247^th	748	67.0%
2023	82.20	118^th	747	84.2%
2024	76.58	150^th	751	80.0%

See the entire list of Best North Carolina Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at FernLeaf

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	NC State Percentile
2021	73.89	138^th	632	78.2%
2022	51.94	301^st	658	54.3%
2023	64.11	219^th	656	66.6%
2024	57.41	269^th	652	58.7%

See the entire list of Best North Carolina Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)

75%

25%

Reviews:

by a parent
Tuesday, January 5, 2021

This isn't exactly accurate because the charter school doesn't even serve lunch I don't know how kids can be free or reduced on it when its not even offered. Parents pack lunches and snacks. My daughter has been going here for three years and we love it Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, January 29, 2020

We had to withdraw our child from the school because of the lack of learning that was happening and the cult-like culture of this school. My child is an exceptional reader and somehow managed to fail the reading part of his final. My child was doing math at a second grade level. We moved to a different school and my child is doing so much better. I do not recommend this school to anyone who wants their kid to actually learn anything. It seems like all they care about is being "woke" and running around in the mud on cold, rainy days. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, December 13, 2019

We love this school! Don't be fooled by the numbers--FernLeaf operates according to global best practices in education, which prioritize building the foundations for learning how to learn in early childhood. Thus, school performance outcomes are expected to be lower at the elementary level (kids are not taught to pass state tests. They are taught how to learn). Higher educational results are to be expected by the time students reach the upper secondary school levels, and parents need to be aware of these goals and adjust expectations accordingly. In the interim, our children are thriving in an environment where they feel safe, respected, encouraged, loved, deeply cared for, and free to take partnership in their educational experience together with their teachers. They love going to school, they love learning in groups, and they love being a part of a community that feels so much like family. FernLeaf has been a godsend, and I would highly recommend it to anyone! Close Quote

by a principal
Wednesday, October 9, 2019

FernLeaf takes great pride in meeting students where they are at academically while also placing great emphasis on social and emotional development, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. FernLeaf students demonstrate their growth and accomplishments in these areas in numerous ways through project work, meaningful academic assessments, and their ability to be strong contributors to their communities. Close Quote

Enrollment information for FernLeaf

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2017	157	3	2	6	0	0	7	175
2018	191	5	4	14	0	0	11	225
2019	244	5	0	17	0	0	11	277
2020	286	3	0	24	0	0	14	327
2021	326	2	2	27	0	0	13	370
2022	375	4	6	27	1	0	21	434
2023	450	7	4	36	1	0	22	520
2024	576	4	3	39	1	1	42	666

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at FernLeaf

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2017	175	9.0	19.4	4.6
2018	225	12.8	17.4	11.6
2019	277	13.9	19.8	13.4
2020	327	16.6	19.6	n/a
2021	370	22.6	16.3	n/a
2022	434	29.3	14.8	n/a
2023	520	37.3	13.9	n/a
2024	666	46.2	14.4	n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio FernLeaf

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2017	175	9.0	19.4	4.6
2018	225	12.8	17.4	11.6
2019	277	13.9	19.8	13.4
2020	327	16.6	19.6	n/a
2021	370	22.6	16.3	n/a
2022	434	29.3	14.8	n/a
2023	520	37.3	13.9	n/a
2024	666	46.2	14.4	n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on FernLeaf

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 805^th of 1473 Elementary schools	Ranks 680^th of 1502 Elementary schools	9.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (FernLeaf)	67.4	44.7	22.7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)	64.3	61.1	3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (FernLeaf)	84.8	44.7	40.1%
3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)	56.8	48	8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (FernLeaf)	33.3	30.4	2.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)	57.3	55.3	2%
4th Grade Reading (FernLeaf)	62.5	63	0.5%
4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)	57.3	55.3	2%
5th Grade Mathematics (FernLeaf)	40	41.7	1.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)	60.2	55.9	4.3%
5th Grade Reading (FernLeaf)	64.4	64.6	0.2%
5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)	54.6	48	6.6%
5th Grade Science (FernLeaf)	55.6	81.3	25.7%
5th Grade Science (North Carolina)	72.6	65.3	7.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	277	520	87.7%
African American	5	7	40%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	0	4
Hispanic	17	36	111.8%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	244	450	84.4%
Two or More Races	11	22	100%

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				EOC Biology (2024)	EOC English II (2024)	EOC Math I (2024)	EOC Math III (2024)	EOG Mathematics (2024)						EOG Reading (2024)						EOG Science (2024)		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	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOC Biology End of Course	EOC English II End of Course	EOC Math I End of Course	EOC Math III End of Course	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	Total
FernLeaf	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-10	58 Howard Gap Rd	Fletcher	28732	Henderson County	FernLeaf Community Charter School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(828) 684-3645	666	46	14.4		576 (86.5%)	4 (0.6%)	39 (5.9%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	42 (6.3%)								(n/a)	60.0	77.5	25.0		32.6	41.2	31.9	40.4	60.9	43.8	47.8	52.9	53.2	68.1	71.7	75.0	72.3	91.7
IC Imagine	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	110 Champion Way	Asheville	28806	Buncombe County	Invest Collegiate - Imagine	Yes	No	No	Yes	(828) 633-6491	1,218	94	13.0		936 (76.8%)	42 (3.4%)	147 (12.1%)	14 (1.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	78 (6.4%)								(n/a)	71.2	73.0	49.2	74.1	57.5	62.5	56.1	38.0	44.9	47.3	46.2	59.4	57.1	45.4	54.6	65.9	64.3	83.5
Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	21 Trinity Chapel Rd	Asheville	28805	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	Yes	No	(828) 255-5102	280	14	19.3	51.1%	217 (77.5%)	17 (6.1%)	34 (12.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.3%)								(n/a)	39.3	59.1	29.2	42.1			70.0	53.3	61.1	30.0			70.0	66.7	55.6	56.7	80.0	73.3
Lake Lure Classical Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	1058 Island Creek Rd.	Lake Lure	28746	Rutherford County	Lake Lure Classical Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(828) 625-9292	449	28	16.2		361 (80.4%)	10 (2.2%)	26 (5.8%)	4 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	47 (10.5%)								(n/a)	63.2	82.9	67.6	60.9	57.9	24.1	68.8	48.0	57.9	60.9	76.3	58.6	65.6	68.0	57.9	69.6	66.7	87.0

FernLeaf

FernLeaf:

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for FernLeaf

Rank History for all elementary school students at FernLeaf

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at FernLeaf

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at FernLeaf

Rank History for elementary school Female students at FernLeaf

Rank History for elementary school Disabled students at FernLeaf

Rank History for elementary school Male students at FernLeaf

Rank History for elementary school White students at FernLeaf

Rank History for FernLeaf

Rank History for all middle school students at FernLeaf

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at FernLeaf

Rank History for middle school Female students at FernLeaf

Rank History for middle school Male students at FernLeaf

Rank History for middle school White students at FernLeaf

Review counts

Enrollment information for FernLeaf

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at FernLeaf

Student/Teacher Ratio FernLeaf

Impact of COVID-19 on FernLeaf

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near FernLeaf

Frequently Asked Questions about FernLeaf

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