Burke County Schools School District

700 East Parker Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(District boundaries shown in map)
6/
10
Top 50%

Top Rankings

Burke County Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 8 public middle schools serving 2,657 students in Burke County Schools School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public middle schools in North Carolina.
Public Middle Schools in Burke County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
27 Schools
882 Schools
# Students
11,690 Students
494,023 Students
# Teachers
742 Teachers
31,644 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1

District Rank

Burke County Schools School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 88% has increased from 86% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#144 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Burke County Schools  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
54%
51%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Burke County Schools  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
50%
50%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Burke County Schools  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
66%
63%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Burke County Schools  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
88%
86%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Burke County Schools  School District and public school graduation rate of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.57
0.71
# American Indian Students
12 Students
5,633 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
665 Students
19,933 Students
% Asian Students
6%
4%
# Hispanic Students
2,418 Students
98,873 Students
% Hispanic Students
21%
20%
# Black Students
456 Students
122,407 Students
% Black Students
4%
25%
# White Students
7,244 Students
215,701 Students
% White Students
62%
44%
# Hawaiian Students
38 Students
646 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
857 Students
30,848 Students
% of Two or more races Students
7%
6%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
416
1,882
# Students in K Grade:
776
16,660
# Students in 1st Grade:
827
16,806
# Students in 2nd Grade:
833
17,050
# Students in 3rd Grade:
792
16,530
# Students in 4th Grade:
834
16,849
# Students in 5th Grade:
813
19,618
# Students in 6th Grade:
803
111,560
# Students in 7th Grade:
850
116,793
# Students in 8th Grade:
856
119,029
# Students in 9th Grade:
1,009
12,380
# Students in 10th Grade:
1,011
10,877
# Students in 11th Grade:
976
9,420
# Students in 12th Grade:
894
8,569
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $10,673 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,694 is less than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$125 MM
$17,307 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Burke County Schools  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$125 MM
$17,964 MM
This chart displays total spending of Burke County Schools  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$10,673
$11,187
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Burke County Schools  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$10,694
$11,612
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Burke County Schools  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Burke County Schools School District Public Middle Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Heritage Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1951 Enon Road
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0731
Grades: 6-8
| 440 students
Rank: #22.
East Burke Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3519 Miller Bridge Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-7446
Grades: 6-8
| 667 students
Rank: #33.
Liberty Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
529 Enola Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1330
Grades: 6-8
| 459 students
Rank: #44.
Table Rock Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1585 Nc 126
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5212
Grades: 6-8
| 454 students
Rank: #55.
Walter R Johnson Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
701 Lenoir Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 430-7340
Grades: 6-8
| 439 students
Rank: #66.
North Liberty
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
523 Enola Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-9656
Grades: PK-12
| 71 students
Rank: #77.
Hallyburton Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
205 South Main Street
Drexel, NC 28619
(828) 437-4184
Grades: 6-12
| 102 students
Rank: n/an/a
Burke Virtual Academy
Heritage Middle School, 1951 E
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 448-3175
Grades: K-12
| 25 students

Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 27 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 11,690 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 38%
  • : 88% (Top 50% in NC)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 54% (Top 50%)
  • : 50% (Btm 50%)
  • : 66% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Quick Links