Best Schools in Burnsville, North Carolina
9 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Burnsville?
Use this page to compare every school in Burnsville 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.
Mountain Heritage High
High · Yancey County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Cane River Middle
Middle · Yancey County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Burnsville Elementary
Elementary · Yancey County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Burnsville for 2026 are Mountain Heritage High (7.5/10), Cane River Middle (5.6/10), and Burnsville Elementary (5.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
9
6 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$216,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
6 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$216,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Burnsville
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain Heritage High | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Cane River Middle | 5.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Burnsville Elementary | 5.5 / 10 |
| 4 | East Yancey Middle | 5.3 / 10 |
| 5 | South Toe Elementary | 5.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Blue Ridge Elementary | 3.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Yancey County Christian School | 3.1 / 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
- 5.1/10
- Median household income
- $56,551
- Median home value
- $216,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Burnsville compares
North Carolina rank
#230 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.2
below North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$57k
83% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Burnsville, North Carolina
Burnsville, North Carolina is home to 9 schools, including 6 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.1 out of 10, schools in Burnsville show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Burnsville is Mountain Heritage High with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Burnsville is served by 1 school district: Yancey County Schools. These districts collectively serve 2,076 students.
Burnsville's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $56,551. The poverty rate in the area is 14.3%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 302 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 2 | 106 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.0 | ||
| 3 | 400 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.4 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Arthur Morgan School
Private
28 students · 7th–9th | — | ||
| 2 | Genesis Academy, Inc.
Private
12 students · Pre-K–4th | — | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 180 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
| 2 | 257 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 633 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yancey County Christian School
Private
77 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.1 |
Schools in Burnsville
Burnsville, North Carolina · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$56,551
Median Home Value
$216,200
Median Rent
$803/mo
Population
16,621
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Community Profile
Burnsville has a median household income of $56,551. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $216,200, with a median rent of $803/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
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 Burnsville, North Carolina
How many schools are in Burnsville, North Carolina?
Burnsville has 9 schools, including 6 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Burnsville, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Burnsville is 5.1 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 Burnsville, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Burnsville on MySchoolScout is Mountain Heritage High with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Burnsville, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Burnsville on MySchoolScout is Burnsville Elementary with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Burnsville, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Burnsville on MySchoolScout is Cane River Middle with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best high school in Burnsville, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Burnsville on MySchoolScout is Mountain Heritage High with a composite score of 7.5/10.
How many school districts serve Burnsville, North Carolina?
Burnsville is served by 1 school district: Yancey County Schools.
What is the education level in Burnsville, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Burnsville have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Burnsville, North Carolina?
The median household income in Burnsville is approximately $56,551 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Burnsville, North Carolina?
Yes, Burnsville has 3 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Yancey County Christian School with a score of 3.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Burnsville, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Burnsville is 12.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Burnsville, 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.
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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.