Best Schools in Burlington, North Carolina
20 schools · 11 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 5 Other
Choosing a school in Burlington?
Use this page to compare every school in Burlington by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Marvin B Smith Elementary
Elementary · Alamance-Burlington Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Highland Elementary
Elementary · Alamance-Burlington Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Alamance Virtual School
Other · Alamance-Burlington Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Burlington for 2026 are Marvin B Smith Elementary (6.8/10), Highland Elementary (6.1/10), and Alamance Virtual School (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 15 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
20
15 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$203,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
20
15 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$203,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 6.0/10 despite 99% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.3 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Burlington schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +12.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Burlington schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Burlington
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 15 rated schools; 20 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marvin B Smith Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Highland Elementary | 6.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Alamance Virtual School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 4 | R Homer Andrews Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Broadview Middle | 5.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Grove Park Elementary | 5.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Walter M Williams High | 5.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Hillcrest Elementary | 5.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Turrentine Middle | 5.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Harvey R Newlin Elementary | 4.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $58,720
- Median home value
- $203,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 61%
5% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Burlington compares
North Carolina rank
#228 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$59k
86% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
19
Alamance-Burlington Schools runs Burlington's public schools
15 public schools. Alamance-Burlington Schools is the dominant district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Burlington is a Alamance-Burlington Schools school (14 of 15).
Among 15 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.9 to 6.8 — the spread is inside Burlington, not a citywide average.
- Alamance-Burlington Schools14 public · 93%
- Clover Garden1 public · 7%
About Schools in Burlington, North Carolina
Burlington, North Carolina is home to 20 schools, including 15 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 11 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.4 out of 10, schools in Burlington show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Burlington is Blessed Sacrament School with a composite score of 7.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Burlington is served by 2 school districts: Alamance-Burlington Schools, Clover Garden. These districts collectively serve 23,427 students.
Burlington's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $58,720. The poverty rate in the area is 16.3%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 545 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 630 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 | ||
| 3 | 535 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 4 | 407 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.8 | ||
| 5 | 522 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.6 | ||
| 6 | 513 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.9 | ||
| 7 | 486 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.6 | ||
| 8 | 282 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.0 | ||
| 9 | 555 students · Pre-K–5th | 2.9 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Blessed Sacrament SchoolPrivate 255 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 elementary schools in Burlington
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 505 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
| 2 | 687 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,215 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
| 2 | 813 students · 9th–12th | 3.3 |
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 234 students · 4th–12th | 6.1 | ||
| 2 | 950 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.8 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Burlington SchoolPrivate 384 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Providence, a Christ Mon CoPrivate 59 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Burlington Christian AcademyPrivate 755 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Burlington
Burlington, North Carolina · 20 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$58,720
Median Home Value
$203,300
Median Rent
$986/mo
Population
86,528
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Community Profile
Burlington has a median household income of $58,720. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,300, with a median rent of $986/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 5
Resources
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Burlington, North Carolina
How many schools are in Burlington, North Carolina?
Burlington has 20 schools, including 15 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Burlington, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Burlington is 5.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Burlington, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Burlington on MySchoolScout is Marvin B Smith Elementary with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Burlington, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Burlington on MySchoolScout is Marvin B Smith Elementary with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Burlington, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Burlington on MySchoolScout is Broadview Middle with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best high school in Burlington, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Burlington on MySchoolScout is Walter M Williams High with a composite score of 5.8/10.
How many school districts serve Burlington, North Carolina?
Burlington is served by 2 school districts: Alamance-Burlington Schools, Clover Garden.
What is the education level in Burlington, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 26% of adults in Burlington have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Burlington, North Carolina?
The median household income in Burlington is approximately $58,720 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Burlington, North Carolina?
Yes, Burlington has 5 private schools alongside 15 public schools. The top-rated private school is Blessed Sacrament School with a score of 7.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Burlington, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Burlington is 13.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Burlington, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.