For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public middle schools serving 3,273 students in Burke County, NC.
The top ranked public middle schools in Burke County, NC are New Dimensions, Heritage Middle School and East Burke Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Burke County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Burke County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Burke County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
New Dimensions
Charter School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
550 Lenoir Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5753
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5753
Gr: K-8 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Heritage Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1951 Enon Road
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0731
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0731
Gr: 6-8 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #33.
East Burke Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3519 Miller Bridge Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-7446
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-7446
Gr: 6-8 | 667 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #44.
Liberty Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
529 Enola Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1330
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1330
Gr: 6-8 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #55.
Table Rock Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1585 Nc 126
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5212
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5212
Gr: 6-8 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #66.
Walter R Johnson Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
701 Lenoir Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 430-7340
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 430-7340
Gr: 6-8 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Nc School For The Deaf
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
517 W Fleming Dr
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-5388
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-5388
Gr: PK-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
North Liberty
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
523 Enola Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-9656
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-9656
Gr: PK-12 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #99.
Hallyburton Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
205 South Main Street
Drexel, NC 28619
(828) 437-4184
Drexel, NC 28619
(828) 437-4184
Gr: 6-12 | 102 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: n/an/a
Heritage Middle School, 1951 E
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 448-3175
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 448-3175
Gr: K-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Burke County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
2142 Pax Hill Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-3026
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-3026
Gr: PK-5 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Enola School Unit 24
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-2092
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-2092
Gr: 6-12
300 Enola Rd
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-2661
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-2661
Gr: Inquire with school
300 Enola Rd
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 438-6586
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 438-6586
Gr: Inquire with school
170 Honeycutt Drive
Rutherford College, NC 28671
(828) 879-8870
Rutherford College, NC 28671
(828) 879-8870
Gr: PK-5 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Wtn Nc School For The Deaf (Closed 2013)
Special Education School
517 West Fleming Dr
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-5200
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-5200
Gr: K-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Burke County, NC?
The top ranked public middle schools in Burke County, NC include New Dimensions, Heritage Middle School and East Burke Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Burke County?
10 public middle schools are located in Burke County.
What is the racial composition of students in Burke County?
Burke County public middle schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Burke County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Burke County include: Table Rock Middle School vs. Walter R Johnson Middle School, Walter R Johnson Middle School vs. Table Rock Middle School, Heritage Middle School vs. Liberty Middle School
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
