- Heritage Middle — Grades 6–8 · 475 students
- Table Rock Middle — Grades 6–8 · 427 students
- East Burke High — Grades 9–12 · 874 students
- Forest Hill Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 305 students
- Freedom High — Grades 9–12 · 1299 students
- George Hildebrand Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 327 students
- Glen Alpine Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 295 students
- Hildebran Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 297 students
- Hillcrest Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 254 students
- Icard Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 265 students
- Mull Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 291 students
- Oak Hill Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 310 students
- Salem Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 476 students
- Valdese Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 530 students
- Hallyburton Academy — Grades 6–12 · 73 students
- North Liberty — Grades PK–12 · 72 students
- East Burke Middle — Grades 6–8 · 630 students
- Liberty Middle — Grades 6–8 · 453 students
- Ray Childers Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 460 students
- W A Young Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 327 students
- Walter R Johnson Middle — Grades 6–8 · 441 students
- Drexel Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 477 students
- Patton High School — Grades 9–12 · 756 students
- Draughn High School — Grades 9–12 · 661 students
- Burke Middle College — Grades 11–12 · 130 students
- Mountain View Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 762 students
- Burke Virtual Academy — Grades K–12 · 0 students
- Hope Middle — Grades 6–8 · 952 students
- A G Cox Middle — Grades 6–8 · 778 students
- C M Eppes Middle — Grades 6–8 · 631 students
- E B Aycock Middle — Grades 6–8 · 617 students
- Farmville Middle — Grades 6–8 · 552 students
- Wellcome Middle — Grades 6–8 · 391 students
- Ayden Middle — Grades 6–8 · 365 students
- D H Conley High — Grades 9–12 · 1,757 students
- South Central — Grades 9–12 · 1,738 students
- Junius H Rose High — Grades 9–12 · 1,568 students
- North Valdese High — Grades 9–12 · 854 students
- Farmville Central High — Grades 9–12 · 778 students
- Ayden-Grifton High — Grades 9–12 · 757 students
- PCS Early College High School — Grades 9 · 334 students
- Innovation Early College High — Grades 9 · 227 students
- Chicod — Grades PK–8 · 902 students
- Pactolus — Grades PK–8 · 657 students
- G R Whitfield — Grades PK–8 · 560 students
- Grifton — Grades PK–8 · 395 students
- Sadie Saulter — Grades PK–8 · 300 students
- Bethel Elementary — Grades PK–8 · 232 students
- Stokes — Grades PK–8 · 218 students
- Valdese County Virtual — Grades K–12 · 38 students
- Vidant Health — Grades PK–12 · 24 students
| Metric | Burke County Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 38 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Near average |
About Burke County Schools
Families in zip code 28690 (Valdese, North Carolina) are assigned to Burke County Schools for public education through 12. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Burke County Schools runs approximately $10,500 annually, placing it near the North Carolina state average of approximately $10,500 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Burke County Schools is a large district with 27 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 11,770 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Burke County Schools 8 out of 10 — above average among North Carolina public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because North Carolina is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Burke County Schools earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in North Carolina. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 28690
Children in zip code 28690 are assigned to Burke County Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 28690, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Burke County Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — North Carolina districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Valdese
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Burke County Schools serves zip code 28690, homes in and around zip code 28690 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In North Carolina, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Burke County Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 28690.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Burke County Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 28690 data.