Burke County Schools & Education
Burke County, North Carolina
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
43/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Midrange Signal
Graduation Rate
92.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
92.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,212
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,969
School Score
43/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 40/100
State Score Position
#32
of 100 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Burke County
Measured School Summary
Burke County performs at an average level with a school score of 43/100 and a solid graduation rate of 92.0%.
Funding Context
At $6,212 per pupil, Burke County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 8% above the North Carolina average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 4.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 11% lower than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Burke County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
29 public schools and 3 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
43/100
Mixed county signal. Ranks #32 of 100 North Carolina counties with school score data.
Completion
92.0%
4.0 pts above the state average
Funding context
$6,212
$757 below the state average
School coverage
29
3 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Burke County has 29 public schools across 3 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Burke County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Dominant-district county
Burke County Schools carries most of the listed public-school system, with 27 of 29 schools. Start there, then verify whether your target address sits inside that district slice.
State position
#32
of 100 North Carolina counties with school score data. The county score is 3 points above the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Burke County Schools
Elementary to high school visible
11,770 students
27 listed schools in this county slice.
The New Dimensions School
Elementary school only in this slice
535 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
Deaf and Blind Schools
Other grade structure
61 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
District reality check
Burke County Schools is the largest listed district slice, with 27 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Burke County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Burke County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Burke County, North Carolina
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
Comprehensive Infrastructure for the Foothills
Burke County operates 29 public schools, including 15 elementary and 6 high schools, serving 12,366 students. The system is managed by 3 districts and includes specialized facilities like special education and alternative schools. This structure ensures that diverse learning needs are met across the county's varied terrain.
Burke County Schools and Specialized Districts
Burke County Schools is the primary district, serving 11,770 students across 27 schools. The county also hosts the unique Deaf and Blind Schools district, which provides essential services to 146 students. The New Dimensions School operates as the county's sole charter, offering choice to 535 students.
Balanced Suburban and Rural Learning
Schools are evenly distributed among suburban, rural, and city locales, providing a versatile geographic mix for families. Freedom High stands as the largest campus with 1,414 students, while many elementary schools maintain a more intimate feel. The average school size is 426 students, reflecting a community-oriented approach to education.
School Overview
Total Schools
29
in Burke County
Reported Enrollment
12,366
29 schools reporting
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
1
3% of total
School Level Breakdown
3 School Districts in Burke County
Burke County Schools
GuideThe New Dimensions School
Deaf and Blind Schools
29 Public Schools in Burke County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 1 high-enrollment school; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 20 of 29 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom High | Profile | Burke County Schools | Morganton, 28655City: Small | 9–12 | High | 1,414 |
| East Burke High | Record | Burke County Schools | Connelly Springs, 28612Rural: Fringe | 9–12 | High | 879 |
| Robert L. Patton High School | Record | Burke County Schools | Morganton, 28655Rural: Fringe | 9–12 | High | 752 |
| Jimmy C Draughn High School | Record | Burke County Schools | Valdese, 28690Rural: Fringe | 9–12 | High | 682 |
| Mountain View Elementary | Record | Burke County Schools | Morganton, 28655City: Small | PK–5 | Primary | 677 |
| East Burke Middle | Record | Burke County Schools | Connelly Springs, 28612Suburb: Midsize | 6–8 | Middle | 645 |
| New Dimensions | Record | The New Dimensions School | Morganton, 28655City: Small | KG–8 | Charter | 535 |
| Valdese Elementary | Record | Burke County Schools | Valdese, 28690Suburb: Midsize | PK–5 | Primary | 521 |
| Table Rock Middle | Record | Burke County Schools | Morganton, 28655Rural: Fringe | 6–8 | Middle | 502 |
| Walter R Johnson Middle | Record | Burke County Schools | Morganton, 28655Rural: Fringe | 6–8 | Middle | 465 |
| Liberty Middle | Record | Burke County Schools | Morganton, 28655Rural: Fringe | 6–8 | Middle | 457 |
| Ray Childers Elementary | Record | Burke County Schools | Hickory, 28601Suburb: Midsize | PK–5 | Primary | 457 |
| Heritage Middle | Record | Burke County Schools | Valdese, 28690Suburb: Midsize | 6–8 | Middle | 453 |
| Drexel Elementary | Record | Burke County Schools | Morganton, 28655Suburb: Midsize | PK–5 | Primary | 438 |
| Salem Elementary | Record | Burke County Schools | Morganton, 28655Suburb: Midsize | PK–5 | Primary | 401 |
| Oak Hill Elementary | Record | Burke County Schools | Morganton, 28655Rural: Fringe | PK–5 | Primary | 327 |
| Hildebran Elementary | Record | Burke County Schools | Hildebran, 28637Suburb: Midsize | PK–5 | Primary | 320 |
| George Hildebrand Elementary | Record | Burke County Schools | Connelly Springs, 28612Rural: Distant | PK–5 | Primary | 318 |
| W A Young Elementary | Record | Burke County Schools | Morganton, 28655Suburb: Midsize | PK–5 | Primary | 306 |
| Hillcrest Elementary | Record | Burke County Schools | Morganton, 28655City: Small | PK–5 | Primary | 284 |
Freedom High
Burke County Schools
Morganton, 28655 / City: Small
East Burke High
Burke County Schools
Connelly Springs, 28612 / Rural: Fringe
Robert L. Patton High School
Burke County Schools
Morganton, 28655 / Rural: Fringe
Jimmy C Draughn High School
Burke County Schools
Valdese, 28690 / Rural: Fringe
Mountain View Elementary
Burke County Schools
Morganton, 28655 / City: Small
East Burke Middle
Burke County Schools
Connelly Springs, 28612 / Suburb: Midsize
Walter R Johnson Middle
Burke County Schools
Morganton, 28655 / Rural: Fringe
Ray Childers Elementary
Burke County Schools
Hickory, 28601 / Suburb: Midsize
Drexel Elementary
Burke County Schools
Morganton, 28655 / Suburb: Midsize
Oak Hill Elementary
Burke County Schools
Morganton, 28655 / Rural: Fringe
Hildebran Elementary
Burke County Schools
Hildebran, 28637 / Suburb: Midsize
George Hildebrand Elementary
Burke County Schools
Connelly Springs, 28612 / Rural: Distant
W A Young Elementary
Burke County Schools
Morganton, 28655 / Suburb: Midsize
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,212
State avg $6,969
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Burke County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which North Carolina counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in North Carolina?
How should I read the school score in Burke County?
What is the graduation rate in Burke County?
How much does Burke County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Burke County, North Carolina — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Burke County, North Carolina?
Burke County operates 29 public schools, including 15 elementary and 6 high schools, serving 12,366 students. The system is managed by 3 districts and includes specialized facilities like special education and alternative schools. This structure ensures that diverse learning needs are met across the county's varied terrain.
What are the major school districts in Burke County, North Carolina?
Burke County Schools is the primary district, serving 11,770 students across 27 schools. The county also hosts the unique Deaf and Blind Schools district, which provides essential services to 146 students. The New Dimensions School operates as the county's sole charter, offering choice to 535 students.
What is the school experience like in Burke County?
Schools are evenly distributed among suburban, rural, and city locales, providing a versatile geographic mix for families. Freedom High stands as the largest campus with 1,414 students, while many elementary schools maintain a more intimate feel. The average school size is 426 students, reflecting a community-oriented approach to education.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.