Page 33 - Burke County NC 2023

Education

Top-Notch Education in Burke County

T he mission of Burke County Public Total Students
Schools is to educate all learners, nurture
their potential, and empower them to be
contributing members of our community. There are 11,733
26 schools in the system serving more than 11,000 Educators: 726
students. The graduation rate of 91.3% is nearly
5% higher than other public school systems in Teacher/Student
North Carolina.
Ratio: 16.15 to 1
Burke County Public Schools has four traditional high
schools, a middle college, an alternative school,
five middle schools, 14 elementary schools, and a
special needs school. Burke Middle College received Source: National Center for Education Statistics
an “A” for performance grade scores in the state’s 2021-2022 school year
most recent report. Two of our county’s high schools North Carolina School for
received a grade of B, as did one middle school and the Deaf, Morganton
one elementary school. NEXT-STEP EDUCATION
Western Piedmont Community College, part of The Continuing Education division behind the main
Students benefit from a broad and rigorous academic the North Carolina Community College System, has campus offers general education and adult high
curriculum that provides enhanced educational been Burke County’s primary connection to higher school diploma programs, as well as English as a
opportunities through the STEAM (Science, education and job-skills training since 1964. The Second Language, crafts, computer technology, and
Technology, Engineering, Art/Agriculture, and Math) 300-acre campus near Morganton has approximately woodworking. Learn more at wpcc.edu.
Academy, which provides Advanced Placement and 7,000 students working toward Associate’s degrees
Honors courses for students. This academic year, high that transfer to schools for Bachelor’s degrees, Nearby private colleges and universities, including
school juniors and seniors can choose to take STEAM professional certificates, and vocational diplomas. Appalachian State University, Western Carolina
courses at the new North Carolina School of Science University, Lenoir Rhyne University, and Lees-McRae
and Mathematics (NCSSM), which opened its second College offer a diversity of undergraduate and
campus in Morganton. graduate programs, and provide a continuous source
of talent for business in every industry.
This is our first academic year within our newly
revised five-year plan, with a focus on three core Burke County is also home to several other
areas identified by extensive surveying within educational institutions, from top-rated early learning
the community: Burke County Public School centers to high school equivalency programs, private
• Goal 1: Academic Opportunities for All Christian schools, and classical education academies.
• Goal 2: All Around Well-Being System is among the top three
• Goal 3: All Schools Connected to the Community employers in the county with
1,000+ employees.

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