Best Schools in Valdese, North Carolina
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Valdese?
Use this page to compare every school in Valdese 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.
Heritage Middle
Middle · Burke County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Jimmy C Draughn High School
High · Burke County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Valdese Elementary
Elementary · Burke 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 Valdese for 2026 are Heritage Middle (7.5/10), Jimmy C Draughn High School (7.0/10), and Valdese Elementary (6.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$185,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$185,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Valdese
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heritage Middle | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Jimmy C Draughn High School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Valdese Elementary | 6.0 / 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
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $67,974
- Median home value
- $185,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 81%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Valdese compares
North Carolina rank
#58 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$68k
100% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Valdese, North Carolina
Valdese, North Carolina is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Valdese 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 Valdese is Heritage Middle with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Valdese is served by 1 school district: Burke County Schools. These districts collectively serve 11,690 students.
Valdese's community shows 31% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $67,974. The poverty rate in the area is 8.7%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 524 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.0 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 440 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 656 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 students · Kindergarten–12th | — |
Schools in Valdese
Valdese, North Carolina · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$67,974
Median Home Value
$185,000
Median Rent
$670/mo
Population
9,294
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
81%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Community Profile
Valdese has a median household income of $67,974. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $185,000, with a median rent of $670/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- 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 Valdese, North Carolina
How many schools are in Valdese, North Carolina?
Valdese has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Valdese, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Valdese is 6.8 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 Valdese, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Valdese on MySchoolScout is Heritage Middle with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Valdese, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Valdese on MySchoolScout is Valdese Elementary with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Valdese, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Valdese on MySchoolScout is Heritage Middle with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Valdese, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Valdese on MySchoolScout is Jimmy C Draughn High School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve Valdese, North Carolina?
Valdese is served by 1 school district: Burke County Schools.
What is the education level in Valdese, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 31% of adults in Valdese have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Valdese, North Carolina?
The median household income in Valdese is approximately $67,974 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Valdese, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Valdese is 15.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Valdese, 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.