For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 7,708 students in Morganton, NC (there are 4 private schools, serving 325 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Morganton, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Morganton, NC are Patton High School, New Dimensions and Freedom High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Morganton, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Morganton have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Morganton, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Patton High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
701 Enola Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-3000
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-3000
Gr: 9-12 | 756 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #22.
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 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Freedom High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
511 Independence Boulevard
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-1310
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-1310
Gr: 9-12 | 1,299 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #44.
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 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #55.
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 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #66.
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 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #77.
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 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #88.
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 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #99.
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 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1010.
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 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1111.
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 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1212.
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 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1313.
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 | 762 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1414.
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 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1515.
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 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1616.
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 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: n/an/a
1001 Burkemont Ave
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 448-3175
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 448-3175
Gr: 11-12 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 43:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: n/an/a
Nc School For The Deaf
Special Education School
517 W Fleming Dr
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-5200
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-5200
Gr: PK-12 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Morganton, North Carolina 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
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 schools in Morganton, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Morganton, NC include Patton High School, New Dimensions and Freedom High School.
How many public schools are located in Morganton?
18 public schools are located in Morganton.
What percentage of students in Morganton go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Morganton are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Morganton?
Morganton public schools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Morganton are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Morganton include: Freedom High School vs. Patton High School, Patton High School vs. Freedom High School, Hillcrest Elementary School vs. Forest Hill Elementary School
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