Nesbitt Discovery Academy

175 Bingham Rd Ste 10
Asheville, NC 28806

mlnda.buncombeschools.org/

372 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

Nesbitt Discovery Academy (MLNDA), located in Asheville, North Carolina, is a specialized public magnet high school within the Buncombe County Schools district. The school is built upon a unique educational philosophy that emphasizes Project-Based Learning (PBL) and a collaborative, real-world approach to education. Unlike traditional high schools, Nesbitt focuses on integrated curriculum tracks that prioritize Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), aiming to prepare students for high-demand careers and post-secondary success by fostering critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

The academy is highly regarded for its small, intimate learning environment and its partnership-driven culture. By collaborating with local businesses and community organizations, Nesbitt provides students with authentic learning experiences that go beyond standard textbook instruction. The school’s mission centers on the "Discovery" aspect of its name, encouraging students to take ownership of their learning through inquiry-based projects, which helps them develop the adaptability and technical proficiency required in the modern workforce.

372

Total Students

17.0

Full-Time Teachers

21.9

Student/Teacher Ratio

98.7%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Nesbitt Discovery Academy
Demographic	Student Count
White	307
Hispanic	31
Black	4
Asian	16
Two or More	12
American Indian	1
Pacific Islander	1

White
307 (82.5%)
Hispanic
31 (8.3%)
Asian
16 (4.3%)
Two or More
12 (3.2%)
Black
4 (1.1%)
American Indian
1 (0.3%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.3%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Buncombe County Schools
Phone:	(828)271-4521
Website:	http://mlnda.buncombeschools.org/
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	372
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	17.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	21.9
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	367
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 9 97

Grade 10 95

Grade 11 93

Grade 12 87