Beech Mountain: Schools & Education

10 public schools serve Beech Mountain. Avery County High is the largest at 613 students (grades 9-12). Total enrollment: 1,984 students.

~99 residents per school (vs North Carolina ~592).

K-12 Schools

10 K-12 schools serving the area — about 99 residents per school. 53.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S. average ~35%).

Schools (10)

Marjorie Williams Academy

0-12 · 80 students · 129 Allen Circle, Newland NC 28657 · (828)733-5241

Avery County High

9-12 · 613 students · 401 Avery County High School R, Newland NC 28657 · (828)733-0151

Banner Elk Elementary

-1-5 · 176 students · 155 Orchard Lane, Banner Elk NC 28604 · (828)737-5700

Crossnore Elementary

-1-5 · 199 students · 1000 Walt Clark Road, Crossnore NC 28616 · (828)737-7204

6-8 · 230 students · 102 Old Montezuma Road, Newland NC 28657 · (828)733-0145

Newland Elementary

-1-5 · 209 students · 750 Linville Street, Newland NC 28657 · (828)733-4911

Riverside Elementary

-1-5 · 100 students · 8020 US 19E Hwy South, Newland NC 28657 · (828)737-5600

Cranberry Middle

6-8 · 170 students · 6230 North US Highway 19E, Elk Park NC 28622 · (828)733-2932

Freedom Trail Elementary

-1-5 · 207 students · 6110 North US Hwy 19E, Elk Park NC 28622 · (828)733-2932

Blue Ridge High School

None-None · 76 Old Montezuma Rd, Newland NC 28657 · (828)737-5800

School Districts · Districts	Marjorie Williams Academy, Avery County Schools
School Districts · Total count	2
School Districts · Nces Lea Ids	3700077, 3700300
School Statistics · Total Schools	10
School Statistics · Total Enrollment	1,984
School Statistics · Total Teachers	166
School Statistics · Student Teacher Ratio	12.00
School Statistics · Charter Schools	1
School Statistics · Free Lunch Students	1,261
School Statistics · Free Lunch Pct	63.6%
Schools Count	10

Sources: NCES LEA assignment from schools in this city · NCES CCD 2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12

Higher Education

Colleges and universities within commuting range, plus IPEDS scorecard data on enrollment, completion, and net price.

Colleges · Nearest	Lees-McRae College
Colleges · Nearest Distance Miles	6.8 mi
Nearest College · Name	Lees-McRae College
Nearest College · City	Banner Elk
Nearest College · Phone	(828) 898-5241
Nearest College · Distance	6.8 mi

Sources: NCES IPEDS 2022 — no colleges within 3 miles · NCES IPEDS 2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12

Early Childhood

Daycare and preschool capacity. Federal child-care data is sparse — counts reflect state-licensed providers only.

Childcare Centers · County total	4

Sources: HIFLD / IRS BMF

Libraries

Public libraries from IMLS Public Libraries Survey — visits, circulation, and service-area population.

Nearest Library · Name	AVERY COUNTY LIBRARY
Nearest Library · Phone	(828) 733-9393
Nearest Library · Address	150 LIBRARY PL, NEWLAND NC 28657
Nearest Library · Distance	4.4 mi

Sources: IMLS PLS 2022 — nearest by coordinates

Other

Libraries (1)

AVERY COUNTY LIBRARY

8287339393 · 150 LIBRARY PL, NEWLAND NC 28657

Pct Bachelors Plus	53.4%

Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12

Read Next

Demographics & People Population, age, language breakdown, and household data. Economy & Jobs Median income, employment, commute, and major employers. Housing & Real Estate Median home value, ownership rate, build-year mix. Healthcare & Safety Hospitals, clinics, fire, police, EMS coverage.