Owen High

Summary:

Owen High is a public high school located in Black Mountain, North Carolina, serving grades 9-12 with a student population of 689. It is part of the Buncombe County Schools district, which is ranked 107 out of 242 districts in North Carolina and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Owen High has a significantly higher percentage of white students (74.17%) compared to the surrounding schools, which have more diverse student populations. Academically, the school's performance on End-of-Course (EOC) exams is generally higher than the Buncombe County Schools and North Carolina averages, particularly in Math III (69.9% proficient or better) and English II (61.9% proficient or better). Additionally, Owen High ranks 29th out of 403 North Carolina high schools for its performance with gifted and talented students, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, and 52nd out of 349 North Carolina high schools for its performance with special education students, earning a 4-star rating.

While Owen High has generally strong academic performance, its statewide ranking has declined over the years, from 84th out of 469 North Carolina high schools in 2017-2018 to 256th out of 640 in 2023-2024. This suggests a need to investigate potential factors contributing to this decline. Additionally, the percentage of free and reduced-price lunch recipients at Owen High has increased significantly, from 29.73% in 2021-2022 to 48.04% in 2022-2023, indicating a growing population of students from lower-income households. When compared to nearby high schools, Owen High generally outperforms Erwin High and Community High School, but lags behind Roberson High, North Buncombe High, and the specialized schools like Nesbitt Discovery Academy and Early College.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 99 Lake Eden Road
       Black Mountain, NC  28711-8706


(828) 686-3852

District: Buncombe County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
256th of 640 North Carolina High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,241 Help


Feeder schools for Owen High:

Elementary:    Black Mountain Elementary
    Black Mountain Primary
    Williams Elementary
Middle:    Owen Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  15.5 Help
Number of students:  683

Racial breakdown:

White:
75.8%
Hispanic:
13.6%
Two or more races:
5.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.6% Help


 See top rated North Carolina high schools

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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Owen High ranks better than 60% of high schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 5th among 9 ranked high schools in the Buncombe County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 56.08. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (75.8%), Hispanic (13.6%), two or more races (5.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 99.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Owen High is 15.5, which is the 4th best among 9 high schools in the Buncombe County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Owen High employs 43.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Owen High is $11,241, which is the 2nd highest among 9 high schools in the Buncombe County Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Owen High:

SchoolDigger ranks Owen High 256th of 640 North Carolina public high schools. (See Owen High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Buncombe County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Buncombe County Schools 107th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Owen High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Owen High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 70.35 68th 431 84.2%
2007 61.53 128th 453 71.7%
2008 71.45 60th 477 87.4%
2009 62.72 138th 490 71.8%
2010 57.16 217th 499 56.5%
2011 45.65 321st 506 36.6%
2012 37.62 328th 502 34.7%
2013 40.29 230th 505 54.5%
2014 44.04 196th 451 56.5%
2015 48.04 193rd 531 63.7%
2016 44.87 197th 507 61.1%
2017 56.44 154th 476 67.6%
2018 73.40 84th 469 82.1%
2019 70.50 94th 514 81.7%
2021 52.06 262nd 594 55.9%
2022 66.28 197th 621 68.3%
2023 62.79 209th 626 66.6%
2024 56.08 256th 640 60.0%
See the entire list of North Carolina High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Owen High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 25.85 161st 199 19.1%
2023 12.67 232nd 249 6.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Owen High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 69.27 52nd 349 85.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Owen High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 78.60 40th 424 90.6%
2019 66.24 54th 446 87.9%
2021 50.37 116th 432 73.1%
2022 59.29 166th 544 69.5%
2023 57.38 204th 597 65.8%
2024 51.32 238th 613 61.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Owen High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.17 61st 449 86.4%
2019 69.71 97th 475 79.6%
2021 55.60 155th 475 67.4%
2022 72.47 155th 594 73.9%
2023 57.73 238th 588 59.5%
2024 56.58 246th 602 59.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Owen High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 71.89 56th 349 84.0%
2019 73.43 43rd 364 88.2%
2021 47.27 127th 334 62.0%
2022 70.46 48th 330 85.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Owen High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 78.95 30th 325 90.8%
2021 43.28 231st 337 31.5%
2022 78.35 50th 398 87.4%
2023 66.69 147th 403 63.5%
2024 78.80 29th 403 92.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Owen High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 65.31 114th 463 75.4%
2019 67.69 96th 488 80.3%
2021 48.78 185th 481 61.5%
2022 58.19 214th 585 63.4%
2023 65.59 184th 602 69.4%
2024 53.92 254th 607 58.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Owen High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.33 176th 340 48.2%
2019 63.60 56th 354 84.2%
2021 37.50 197th 370 46.8%
2022 52.23 166th 436 61.9%
2023 48.93 191st 449 57.5%
2024 55.00 157th 454 65.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Owen High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 68.07 111th 427 74.0%
2019 63.94 114th 444 74.3%
2021 42.46 217th 439 50.6%
2022 59.59 207th 534 61.2%
2023 56.13 232nd 537 56.8%
2024 45.02 304th 553 45.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High 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.

Owen High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Owen High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 844 48 2 1 0 n/a n/a 19 914
1989 832 44 10 4 1 n/a n/a 0 891
1990 758 39 16 1 1 n/a n/a 6 821
1991 730 36 15 0 1 n/a n/a 2 784
1992 703 29 15 3 3 n/a n/a 0 753
1993 699 28 14 2 2 n/a n/a 0 745
1994 735 30 13 1 1 n/a n/a 0 780
1995 736 38 19 4 3 n/a n/a 0 800
1996 736 38 19 4 3 n/a n/a 0 800
1997 766 44 18 5 1 n/a n/a 0 834
1998 756 44 19 6 1 n/a n/a 0 826
1999 777 49 15 7 3 n/a n/a 0 851
2000 841 46 10 16 3 n/a n/a 0 916
2001 838 46 8 12 2 n/a n/a 0 906
2002 834 50 6 12 1 n/a n/a 0 903
2003 834 50 6 12 1 n/a n/a 0 903
2004 799 57 5 13 4 n/a n/a 0 878
2005 804 61 4 10 5 n/a n/a 0 884
2006 765 59 5 16 3 n/a n/a 0 848
2007 755 48 7 25 4 n/a n/a 14 853
2008 718 49 6 23 2 n/a n/a 21 819
2009 754 76 10 32 4 n/a n/a 0 876
2010 732 83 7 44 8 n/a n/a 0 874
2011 741 43 3 54 9 0 41 0 891
2012 697 35 6 58 6 0 37 0 839
2013 668 37 10 60 4 0 41 0 820
2014 643 29 7 62 4 0 44 0 789
2015 632 33 10 67 4 0 33 0 779
2016 611 30 7 82 3 0 41 0 774
2017 612 26 5 93 4 0 44 0 784
2018 601 31 5 91 2 0 38 0 768
2019 580 25 7 97 5 0 28 0 742
2020 551 22 6 94 3 0 29 0 705
2021 557 25 3 86 4 2 29 0 706
2022 528 19 3 92 5 1 28 0 676
2023 511 30 3 95 3 1 46 0 689
2024 518 28 5 93 3 1 35 0 683

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 Owen High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 914 65.0 14.0 5.9
1989 891 64.0 13.9 8.1
1990 821 62.0 13.2 9.5
1991 784 65.0 12.0 9.9
1992 753 65.0 11.5 7.2
1993 745 55.0 13.5 10.6
1994 780 56.0 13.9 12.4
1995 800 54.0 14.8 13.4
1996 800 54.0 14.8 13.4
1997 834 54.0 15.4 11.4
1998 826 61.0 13.5 12
1999 851 62.0 13.7 16.5
2000 916 68.0 13.5 17.4
2001 906 68.0 13.3 17.4
2002 903 68.0 13.3 22
2003 903 68.0 13.3 22
2004 878 68.0 12.9 26
2005 884 68.0 13.0 28.7
2006 848 68.0 12.5 32.1
2007 853 55.1 15.5 34.3
2008 819 54.0 15.2 35
2009 876 54.4 16.1 34.7
2010 874 54.6 15.9 39.2
2011 891 54.3 16.3 42.5
2012 839 53.9 15.5 48.3
2013 820 54.4 15.0 47
2014 789 53.1 14.8 46
2015 779 53.0 14.6 48.5
2016 774 52.0 14.8 48.6
2017 784 52.1 15.0 47.4
2018 768 53.3 14.3 46.7
2019 742 52.2 14.1 41
2020 705 51.2 13.7 42.3
2021 706 50.3 14.0 33.4
2022 676 49.6 13.6 29.7
2023 689 46.1 14.9 48
2024 683 43.8 15.5 99.6

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 Owen High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 914 65.0 14.0 5.9
1989 891 64.0 13.9 8.1
1990 821 62.0 13.2 9.5
1991 784 65.0 12.0 9.9
1992 753 65.0 11.5 7.2
1993 745 55.0 13.5 10.6
1994 780 56.0 13.9 12.4
1995 800 54.0 14.8 13.4
1996 800 54.0 14.8 13.4
1997 834 54.0 15.4 11.4
1998 826 61.0 13.5 12
1999 851 62.0 13.7 16.5
2000 916 68.0 13.5 17.4
2001 906 68.0 13.3 17.4
2002 903 68.0 13.3 22
2003 903 68.0 13.3 22
2004 878 68.0 12.9 26
2005 884 68.0 13.0 28.7
2006 848 68.0 12.5 32.1
2007 853 55.1 15.5 34.3
2008 819 54.0 15.2 35
2009 876 54.4 16.1 34.7
2010 874 54.6 15.9 39.2
2011 891 54.3 16.3 42.5
2012 839 53.9 15.5 48.3
2013 820 54.4 15.0 47
2014 789 53.1 14.8 46
2015 779 53.0 14.6 48.5
2016 774 52.0 14.8 48.6
2017 784 52.1 15.0 47.4
2018 768 53.3 14.3 46.7
2019 742 52.2 14.1 41
2020 705 51.2 13.7 42.3
2021 706 50.3 14.0 33.4
2022 676 49.6 13.6 29.7
2023 689 46.1 14.9 48
2024 683 43.8 15.5 99.6

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.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Owen High

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $694 (6.2%) $10,547 (93.8%) $11,241

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Owen High

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 94th of 514 High schoolsRanks 209th of 626 High schools
 15.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course Biology (Owen High)6970.7
 1.7%
   End of Course Biology (Buncombe County Schools)65.462
 3.4%
   End of Course Biology (North Carolina)59.654.1
 5.5%
End of Course English II (Owen High)68.255.3
 12.9%
   End of Course English II (Buncombe County Schools)64.161.9
 2.2%
   End of Course English II (North Carolina)59.758.5
 1.2%
End of Course Math I (Owen High)53.144.1
 9%
   End of Course Math I (Buncombe County Schools)49.842.8
 7%
   End of Course Math I (North Carolina)41.235.9
 5.3%
End of Course Math III (Owen High)72.478.3
 5.9%
   End of Course Math III (Buncombe County Schools)59.566.6
 7.1%
   End of Course Math III (North Carolina)46.858.3
 11.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students742689
 7.1%
African American2530
 20%
American Indian53
 40%
Asian73
 57.1%
Hispanic9795
 2.1%
Pacific Islander01
White580511
 11.9%
Two or More Races2846
 64.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients41%48%
 7.1%


Schools Near Owen High









Frequently Asked Questions about Owen High

In the 2023-24 school year, 683 students attended Owen High.

Owen High ranks 256th of 640 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Owen High are 76% White, 14% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 4% African American.

Owen High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Black Mountain Elementary
Elementary : Black Mountain Primary
Elementary : Williams Elementary
Middle : Owen Middle


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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.





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