For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public preschools serving 4,935 students in Burke County, NC.
The top ranked public preschools in Burke County, NC are Icard Elementary School, Salem Elementary School and Drexel Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Burke County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Burke County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Burke County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Icard Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3087 Icard School Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-3491
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-3491
Gr: PK-5 | 252 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #22.
Salem Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1329 Salem Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5901
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5901
Gr: PK-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Drexel Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
100 Alta Vista Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-3160
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-3160
Gr: PK-5 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #44.
Mull Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1140 Old Nc 18 South
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5785
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5785
Gr: PK-5 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #55.
Glen Alpine Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
302 London Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 584-0661
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 584-0661
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
George Hildebrand Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
8078 G Hildebrand Sch Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 879-9595
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 879-9595
Gr: PK-5 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
W A Young Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
325 Conley Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 584-0632
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 584-0632
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #88.
Valdese Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
298 Praley Street
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0704
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0704
Gr: PK-5 | 524 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #99.
Hildebran Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
703 Us Hwy 70 West
Hildebran, NC 28637
(828) 397-3181
Hildebran, NC 28637
(828) 397-3181
Gr: PK-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1010.
Oak Hill Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2363 Nc 181
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-1533
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-1533
Gr: PK-5 | 334 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1111.
Forest Hill Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
304 Ann Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5906
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5906
Gr: PK-5 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1212.
Mountain View Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
805 Bouchelle St
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1584
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1584
Gr: PK-5 | 730 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1313.
Hillcrest Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
201 Tennessee Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-4258
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-4258
Gr: PK-5 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
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: #14 - 1514. - 15.
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%
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 preschools in Burke County, NC?
The top ranked public preschools in Burke County, NC include Icard Elementary School, Salem Elementary School and Drexel Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Burke County?
15 public preschools are located in Burke County.
What is the racial composition of students in Burke County?
Burke County public preschools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Burke County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Burke County include: Hillcrest Elementary School vs. Forest Hill Elementary School, Glen Alpine Elementary School vs. W A Young Elementary School, Valdese Elementary School vs. Drexel Elementary School
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