Top 10 Best Burke County Public Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 28 public schools serving 11,704 students in Burke County, NC (there are 5 private schools, serving 543 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Burke County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Burke County, NC are Robert L. Patton High School, New Dimensions and Jimmy C Draughn High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Burke County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Burke County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 55% (majority Black).

Best Burke County Public Schools (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Robert L. Patton High School
Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
701 Enola Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-3000
Grades: 9-12
| 706 students
Rank: #22.
New Dimensions
Charter School
Math: 63% | Reading: 68%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
550 Lenoir Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5753
Grades: K-8
| 470 students
Rank: #33.
Jimmy C Draughn High School
Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
709 Lovelady Road Ne
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 879-4200
Grades: 9-12
| 629 students
Rank: #44.
East Burke High School
Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3695 East Burke Boulevard
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-5541
Grades: 9-12
| 867 students
Rank: #55.
Icard Elementary School
Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3087 Icard School Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-3491
Grades: PK-5
| 266 students
Rank: #66.
Heritage Middle School
Math: 53% | Reading: 58%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1951 Enon Road
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0731
Grades: 6-8
| 512 students
Rank: #77.
Freedom High School
Math: 61% | Reading: 51%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
511 Independence Boulevard
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-1310
Grades: 9-12
| 1,337 students
Rank: #88.
Salem Elementary School
Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1329 Salem Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5901
Grades: PK-5
| 394 students
Rank: #99.
East Burke Middle School
Math: 43% | Reading: 54%
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3519 Miller Bridge Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-7446
Grades: 6-8
| 667 students
Rank: #1010.
Drexel Elementary School
Math: 49% | Reading: 47%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
100 Alta Vista Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-3160
Grades: PK-5
| 446 students
Rank: #1111.
Glen Alpine Elementary School
Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
302 London Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 584-0661
Grades: PK-5
| 329 students
Rank: #1212.
Valdese Elementary School
Math: 41% | Reading: 52%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
298 Praley Street
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0704
Grades: PK-5
| 522 students
Rank: #1313.
Liberty Middle School
Math: 42% | Reading: 48%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
529 Enola Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1330
Grades: 6-8
| 483 students
Rank: #1414.
Mull Elementary School
Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1140 Old Nc 18 South
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5785
Grades: PK-5
| 261 students
Rank: #1515.
Oak Hill Elementary School
Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2363 Nc 181
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-1533
Grades: PK-5
| 330 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
George Hildebrand Elementary School
Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
8078 G Hildebrand Sch Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 879-9595
Grades: PK-5
| 297 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Hildebran Elementary School
Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
703 Us Hwy 70 West
Hildebran, NC 28637
(828) 397-3181
Grades: PK-5
| 319 students
Rank: #1818.
W A Young Elementary School
Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
325 Conley Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 584-0632
Grades: PK-5
| 309 students
Rank: #1919.
Table Rock Middle School
Math: 36% | Reading: 43%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1585 Nc 126
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5212
Grades: 6-8
| 560 students
Rank: #2020.
Forest Hill Elementary School
Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
304 Ann Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5906
Grades: PK-5
| 274 students
Rank: #2121.
Walter R Johnson Middle School
Math: 28% | Reading: 34%
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
701 Lenoir Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 430-7340
Grades: 6-8
| 489 students
Rank: #2222.
Mountain View Elementary School
Math: 32% | Reading: 28%
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
805 Bouchelle St
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1584
Grades: PK-5
| 644 students
Rank: #2323.
Hillcrest Elementary School
Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Tennessee Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-4258
Grades: PK-5
| 266 students
Rank: #24 - 2624. - 26.
Hallyburton Academy
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
205 South Main Street
Drexel, NC 28619
(828) 437-4184
Grades: 6-12
| 70 students
Rank: #24 - 2624. - 26.
Nc School For The Deaf
Special Education School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
517 W Fleming Dr
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-5388
Grades: PK-12
| 62 students
Rank: #24 - 2624. - 26.
North Liberty
Special Education School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
523 Enola Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-9656
Grades: PK-12
| 67 students
Rank: n/an/a
Burke Middle College
Math: 90-94%
1001 Burkemont Ave
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 448-3175
Grades: 11-12
| 128 students
Rank: n/an/a
Burke Virtual Academy
1001 Burkemont Ave. Morganton
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 439-4311
Grades: n/a
| 0 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Burke County, NC

Burke County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
2142 Pax Hill Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-3026
Grades: PK-5
| 190 students
East Alps (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
213 1st St
Hildebran, NC 28637
(828) 397-6175
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Enola School Unit 24
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-2092
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
300 Enola Rd
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-2661
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
205 South Main St
Drexel, NC 28619
(828) 437-4184
Grades: 3-5
| n/a students
300 Enola Rd
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 438-6586
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
170 Honeycutt Drive
Rutherford College, NC 28671
(828) 879-8870
Grades: PK-5
| 209 students
517 West Fleming Dr
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-5200
Grades: K-12
| n/a students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Burke County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Burke County, NC include Robert L. Patton High School, New Dimensions and Jimmy C Draughn High School.
How many public schools are located in Burke County, NC?
28 public schools are located in Burke County, NC.
What percentage of students in Burke County, NC go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Burke County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Burke County, NC?
Burke County, NC public schools minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 55% (majority Black).

Recent Articles

Back to School: Getting Up to Date with Required Vaccinations
Back to School: Getting Up to Date with Required Vaccinations
Stay up to date on the current requirements for vaccinations for school-age children today, as well as some of the problems schools face when parents do not properly immunize their kids.
Teaching in Contemporary Times
Teaching in Contemporary Times
We explore why individuals choose teaching, illuminating intrinsic motivations, the influence of role models, the pursuit of lifelong learning, and the aspiration to impact society.
Public Schools in a Minute
January 27, 2024
Public Schools in a Minute
Explore the diverse world of public schools in a minute! Our brief overview provides a snapshot of the educational landscape, school districts, curriculum, and more. Get a quick glance at the big picture of K-12 education.