Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Preschools in Burke County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Burke County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 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 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Burke County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: 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 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 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Burke County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (NC):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

North Carolina Top-Ranked Public Schools
North Carolina Top-Ranked Public Schools
 10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
 Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
 15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025

More Articles

Opinion
Teaching
About Public Schools
Public School Policies
Evaluating Public Schools