For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 4,040 students in Burke County, NC.
The top-ranked public high schools in Burke County, NC are Jimmy C Draughn High School, East Burke High School and Robert L. Patton High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Burke County, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 68% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Burke County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
Burke County, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 85%, which is less than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Jimmy C Draughn High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Burke County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Jimmy C Draughn High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
709 Lovelady Road Ne
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 879-4200
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 879-4200
Gr: 9-12 | 656 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #22.
East Burke High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3695 East Burke Boulevard
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-5541
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-5541
Gr: 9-12 | 868 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
Robert L. 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 | 753 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
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 | 1,374 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Nc School For The Deaf
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
517 W Fleming Dr
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-5388
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-5388
Gr: PK-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
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 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #77.
Hallyburton Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
205 South Main Street
Drexel, NC 28619
(828) 437-4184
Drexel, NC 28619
(828) 437-4184
Gr: 6-12 | 102 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: n/an/a
1001 Burkemont Ave
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 448-3175
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 448-3175
Gr: 11-12 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 44:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: n/an/a
Heritage Middle School, 1951 E
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 448-3175
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 448-3175
Gr: K-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Burke County 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
170 Honeycutt Drive
Rutherford College, NC 28671
(828) 879-8870
Rutherford College, NC 28671
(828) 879-8870
Gr: PK-5 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
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 high schools in Burke County, NC?
The top-ranked public high schools in Burke County, NC include Jimmy C Draughn High School, East Burke High School and Robert L. Patton High School.
How many public high schools are located in Burke County?
9 public high schools are located in Burke County.
What is the racial composition of students in Burke County?
Burke County public high schools minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Burke County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Burke County include: Freedom High School vs. Robert L. Patton High School, Robert L. Patton High School vs. Freedom High School, East Burke High School vs. Robert L. Patton High School
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