For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public elementary schools serving 8,077 students in Burke County, NC.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Burke County, NC are New Dimensions, Icard Elementary School and Heritage Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Burke County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Burke County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Burke County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
New Dimensions
Charter School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
550 Lenoir Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5753
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5753
Gr: K-8 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Icard Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3087 Icard School Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-3491
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-3491
Gr: PK-5 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #33.
Heritage Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1951 Enon Road
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0731
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0731
Gr: 6-8 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #44.
Salem Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1329 Salem Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5901
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5901
Gr: PK-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #55.
Drexel Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
100 Alta Vista Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-3160
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-3160
Gr: PK-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #66.
Mull Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1140 Old Nc 18 South
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5785
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5785
Gr: PK-5 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #77.
Glen Alpine Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
302 London Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 584-0661
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 584-0661
Gr: PK-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #88.
East Burke Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3519 Miller Bridge Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-7446
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 397-7446
Gr: 6-8 | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #99.
Liberty Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
529 Enola Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1330
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1330
Gr: 6-8 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
George Hildebrand Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
8078 G Hildebrand Sch Road
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 879-9595
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 879-9595
Gr: PK-5 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
W A Young Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
325 Conley Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 584-0632
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 584-0632
Gr: PK-5 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1212.
Valdese Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
298 Praley Street
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0704
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 874-0704
Gr: PK-5 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Hildebran Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
703 Us Hwy 70 West
Hildebran, NC 28637
(828) 397-3181
Hildebran, NC 28637
(828) 397-3181
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Table Rock Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1585 Nc 126
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5212
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5212
Gr: 6-8 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1515.
Oak Hill Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2363 Nc 181
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-1533
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-1533
Gr: PK-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1616.
Forest Hill Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
304 Ann Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5906
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5906
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1717.
Mountain View Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
805 Bouchelle St
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1584
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-1584
Gr: PK-5 | 762 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1818.
Walter R Johnson Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
701 Lenoir Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 430-7340
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 430-7340
Gr: 6-8 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1919.
Hillcrest Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
201 Tennessee Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-4258
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-4258
Gr: PK-5 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2020.
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 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2121.
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 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
Heritage Middle School, 1951 E
Valdese, NC 28690
(828) 448-3175
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
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 elementary schools in Burke County, NC?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Burke County, NC include New Dimensions, Icard Elementary School and Heritage Middle School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Burke County?
23 public elementary schools are located in Burke County.
What is the racial composition of students in Burke County?
Burke County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Burke County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Burke County include: Table Rock Middle School vs. Walter R Johnson Middle School, Walter R Johnson Middle School vs. Table Rock Middle School, Heritage Middle School vs. Liberty Middle School
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