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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Burke County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 28 public schools serving 11,859 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 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Burke County, NC are Draughn High School, East Burke High School and Patton 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 54% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% 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 37% 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 Burke County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Draughn High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
709 Lovelady Road Ne
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 879-4200
Gr: 9-12 | 661 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #22.
East Burke High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3695 East Burke Boulevard
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-5541
Gr: 9-12 | 874 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #33.
Patton High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
701 Enola Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-3000
Gr: 9-12 | 756 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #44.
New Dimensions
Charter School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
550 Lenoir Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5753
Gr: K-8 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #55.
Freedom High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
511 Independence Boulevard
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-1310
Gr: 9-12 | 1,299 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #66.
Icard Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3087 Icard School Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-3491
Gr: PK-5 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #77.
Heritage Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1951 Enon Road
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0731
Gr: 6-8 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #88.
Salem Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1329 Salem Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5901
Gr: PK-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #99.
Drexel Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
100 Alta Vista Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-3160
Gr: PK-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1010.
Mull Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1140 Old Nc 18 South
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5785
Gr: PK-5 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1111.
Glen Alpine Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
302 London Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 584-0661
Gr: PK-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1212.
East Burke Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3519 Miller Bridge Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-7446
Gr: 6-8 | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1313.
Liberty Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
529 Enola Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1330
Gr: 6-8 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
George Hildebrand Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8078 G Hildebrand Sch Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 879-9595
Gr: PK-5 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
W A Young Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
325 Conley Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 584-0632
Gr: PK-5 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1616.
Valdese Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
298 Praley Street
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0704
Gr: PK-5 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Hildebran Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
703 Us Hwy 70 West
Hildebran, NC 28637
(828) 397-3181
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Table Rock Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1585 Nc 126
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5212
Gr: 6-8 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1919.
Oak Hill Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2363 Nc 181
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-1533
Gr: PK-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2020.
Forest Hill Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
304 Ann Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5906
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2121.
Mountain View Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
805 Bouchelle St
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1584
Gr: PK-5 | 762 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2222.
Walter R Johnson Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
701 Lenoir Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 430-7340
Gr: 6-8 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2323.
Hillcrest Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Tennessee Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-4258
Gr: PK-5 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2424.
North Liberty
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
523 Enola Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-9656
Gr: PK-12 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2525.
Hallyburton Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
205 South Main Street
Drexel, NC 28619
(828) 437-4184
Gr: 6-12 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
Burke Middle College
1001 Burkemont Ave
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 448-3175
Gr: 11-12 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 43:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: n/an/a
Burke Virtual Academy
Heritage Middle School, 1951 E
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 448-3175
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Nc School For The Deaf
Special Education School
517 W Fleming Dr
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-5200
Gr: PK-12 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 58%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Burke County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Burke County, NC include Draughn High School, East Burke High School and Patton High School.
How many public schools are located in Burke County?
28 public schools are located in Burke County.
What percentage of students in Burke County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Burke County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Burke County?
Burke County public schools minority enrollment is 37% 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 Burke County are often viewed compared to one another?

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